[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 102 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value visual & performing arts schools.
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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 Cuny Hunter College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,631 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $28,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,209 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $22,351 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,209 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $64,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #4 place for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,750. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,316 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $22,375 early in their careers. Set against $18,316 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College placed #6 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. 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 $24,168 early in their careers. Set against $14,605 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Suffolk County Community College placed #7 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,132. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $24,823 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,132 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #8 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Students borrow a median of $9,535 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $13,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #9 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,715 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $20,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Cuny Queensborough Community College earned the #10 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $16,739. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #11 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $14,700 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe Community College landed the #12 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,767. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,718. That is a strong return on a $9,767 median debt.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #13 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Nassau Community College earned the #14 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Students borrow a median of $10,600 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $18,107. That is a strong return on a $10,600 median debt.
Ulster County Community College earned the #15 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,666 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,146. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,354. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $47,424. That is a strong return on a $13,354 median debt.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $7,858. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $19,146. Set against $7,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Hostos Community College landed the #17 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,254, compared with $8,134 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,007 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $12,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Erie Community College came in at #18 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $37,069. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Bronx Community College earned the #19 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $8,224 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $18,700 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Farmingdale State College landed the #20 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $18,875 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $27,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Hudson Valley Community College placed #21 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,868. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $43,989 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,868 median debt.
Mohawk Valley Community College landed the #22 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Utica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Students borrow a median of $9,534 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $21,012 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,534 median debt.
Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #23 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,274 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $44,443. That is a strong return on a $20,274 median debt. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
Suny Empire State College earned the #24 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,125 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $39,946 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Westchester Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in visual & performing arts:
More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 102 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 102 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.
