[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
University Of The District Of Columbia tops our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools in District of Columbia. Located in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,662, compared with $12,514 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $32,304 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of The District Of Columbia earn a median of $57,060 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,304 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Gallaudet University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Washington, Gallaudet University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,654. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $24,123 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Gallaudet University earn a median of $44,489 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,123 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Catholic University Of America earned it the #3 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,378. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $24,625. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $23,856. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at George Washington University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $43,308. That is a strong return on a $22,910 median debt. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Georgetown University, which ranked #5. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $79,632 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgetown University admits about 13% of applicants.
American University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $23,918 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from American University generally make around $33,250. That is a strong return on a $23,918 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Howard University came in at #7 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,810. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Howard University earn a median of $17,095 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 41%.
More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
