[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value visual & performing arts schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among visual & performing arts schools in New Jersey. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Middlesex County College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $37,975. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Burlington County College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,990, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,488. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Burlington County College earn a median of $52,240 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Mercer County Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,310 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $45,389 early in their careers. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Raritan Valley Community College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,668. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $47,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson County Community College landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,384, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $6,899. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $22,619. Set against $6,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Essex County College came in at #7 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, while out-of-state students pay about $9,523. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,472. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $37,915 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
County College Of Morris landed the #8 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,210, with out-of-state students paying around $14,310. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,250 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $33,881. Set against $9,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bergen Community College earned the #9 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Paramus, Bergen Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,913 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,294. Students borrow a median of $17,720 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Bergen Community College earn a median of $51,280 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sussex County Community College landed the #10 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,544, compared with $9,024 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,750. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Sussex County Community College earn a median of $27,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
Atlantic Cape Community College landed the #11 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,594 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,002 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Atlantic Cape Community College generally make around $37,141. That is a strong return on a $12,002 median debt.
Brookdale Community College placed #12 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ocean County College landed the #13 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,906, with out-of-state students paying around $6,970. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,792. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Ocean County College generally make around $41,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus placed #14 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,010. Students borrow a median of $25,115 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $54,505. Set against $25,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Montclair State University landed the #15 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,524 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $31,839. Set against $26,524 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University earned the #16 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,685 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $32,191. Set against $27,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology landed the #17 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $19,974 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from New Jersey Institute Of Technology generally make around $38,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
New Jersey City University came in at #18 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $21,209. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $18,952 early in their careers. Set against $21,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey placed #19 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,777, with out-of-state students paying around $27,708. Students borrow a median of $23,395 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $22,782. Set against $23,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ramapo College Of New Jersey admits about 71% of applicants.
Rutgers University Camden placed #20 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,764, with out-of-state students paying around $37,276. Students borrow a median of $25,366 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $24,043. That is a strong return on a $25,366 median debt. Rutgers University Camden admits about 66% of applicants.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #21 for value in visual & performing arts this year. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,921 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $25,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Newark earned the #22 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Rutgers University Newark is a large public school located in the city of Newark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,250, while out-of-state students pay about $36,762. Students borrow a median of $25,278 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark generally make around $25,083. Set against $25,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Ocean County Vocational Technical School earned the #23 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Ocean County Vocational Technical School is a small public school located in the suburb of Toms River. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Ocean County Vocational Technical School generally make around $27,482.
Rowan University came in at #24 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $24,788. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $29,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,788 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #25 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Students borrow a median of $26,954 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $25,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
