
[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value visual & performing arts schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in visual & performing arts, no school beat Prince Georges Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,034, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,949 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $56,960. That is a strong return on a $13,949 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Montgomery College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $24,833 early in their careers. Set against $11,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harford Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Bel Air. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $8,832. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,624. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $50,636. That is a strong return on a $12,624 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Frederick Community College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, compared with $10,042 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,778. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $43,733 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Cecil College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the rural area of North East, Cecil College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,640, compared with $10,830 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,952.
The Community College Of Baltimore County placed #6 among the best values for visual & performing arts. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,038 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $52,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $20,948 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $43,152. Set against $20,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore landed the #8 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Princess Anne. In-state tuition and fees average $9,076, with out-of-state students paying around $20,122. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,996 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Maryland Eastern Shore generally make around $39,742. That is a strong return on a $26,996 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Baltimore earned the #9 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $23,984. Students borrow a median of $29,681 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $63,652. That is a strong return on a $29,681 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Anne Arundel Community College earned the #10 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,322, while out-of-state students pay about $11,522. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $13,947 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $59,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Morgan State University placed #11 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Morgan State University is a large public school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $8,229 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,124. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $30,631 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $49,736. That is a strong return on a $30,631 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #12 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $24,996 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $24,494. That is a strong return on a $24,996 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University came in at #13 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Students borrow a median of $18,540 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Towson University earn a median of $26,263 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Frostburg State University landed the #14 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $24,834. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Frostburg State University generally make around $24,649. That is a strong return on a $24,834 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Salisbury University came in at #15 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,084 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,174. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $24,239. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Salisbury University generally make around $20,632. Set against $24,239 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
St Marys College Of Maryland ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the rural area of St. Mary's City, St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,298, with out-of-state students paying around $31,374. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $22,655 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of St Marys College Of Maryland earn a median of $41,665 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,655 median debt. St Marys College Of Maryland admits about 69% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #17 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $23,620 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Bowie State University landed the #18 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,218, while out-of-state students pay about $19,938. Students borrow a median of $28,474 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Bowie State University generally make around $47,668. Set against $28,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bowie State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Mcdaniel College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Westminster. In-state tuition and fees average $52,081. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $23,247 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Mcdaniel College generally make around $54,904. Set against $23,247 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Stevenson University earned the #20 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Owings Mills, Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,560. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Stevenson University generally make around $27,716. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Maryland Institute College Of Art landed the #21 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Maryland Institute College Of Art is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $37,356. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Maryland Institute College Of Art admits about 77% of applicants.
More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
View All Visual & Performing Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.