[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 246 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual & performing arts students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in visual & performing arts, no school beat Cuny Brooklyn College this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,209. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $23,554 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #2 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,631. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $32,918 early in their careers. Set against $9,631 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #3 place for visual & performing arts. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $11,691. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $64,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,088 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $35,161 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,088 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $18,316. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $19,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,316 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
California State University Northridge ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $36,470 early in their careers. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,109. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $22,380 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College earned the #8 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,605 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $23,350 early in their careers. Set against $14,605 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University Fullerton came in at #9 for value in visual & performing arts this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $18,772 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $32,639. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,288 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $25,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,288 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $16,120. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $24,805 early in their careers. Set against $16,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento earned the #12 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $16,186 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $26,333. That is a strong return on a $16,186 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #13 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $16,905 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $29,696. That is a strong return on a $16,905 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University placed #14 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $18,453 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $27,945. Set against $18,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #15 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $22,612 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $31,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Florida State University placed #16 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $22,194 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $28,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Lamar University placed #17 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,407 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $42,328 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,407 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach placed #18 among the best values for visual & performing arts. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $18,114 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $29,952 early in their careers. Set against $18,114 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $24,458. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $25,830. Set against $24,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Southern Utah University earned the #20 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Students borrow a median of $19,284 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $27,335 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #21 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $19,284 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $18,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $16,585. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $32,717 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #23 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,630 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,560. Set against $25,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #24 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $25,098 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $30,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University earned the #25 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,492. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for visual & performing arts this year:
Explore the best-value visual & performing arts schools at other degree levels:
View All Visual & Performing Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 246 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 246 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
