[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 45 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual & performing arts students.
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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.
Leading the list is Middlesex Community College Bedford, our #1 best value for visual & performing arts in Massachusetts. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,755. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $48,427. Set against $12,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bristol Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Students borrow a median of $9,482 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $37,897. That is a strong return on a $9,482 median debt.
Springfield Technical Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $5,904 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,707. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Springfield Technical Community College generally make around $42,457. 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 Greenfield Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,810, while out-of-state students pay about $11,930. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,269. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Greenfield Community College generally make around $58,356. Set against $12,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Massachusetts Bay Community College earned it the #5 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,856, while out-of-state students pay about $10,800. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $11,008. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Massachusetts Bay Community College earn a median of $44,553 early in their careers. Set against $11,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bunker Hill Community College earned the #6 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,168 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $11,893. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Bunker Hill Community College generally make around $51,782. Set against $11,893 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mount Wachusett Community College earned the #7 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Mount Wachusett Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gardner. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,160, with out-of-state students paying around $11,080. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $11,497. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Mount Wachusett Community College earn a median of $43,883 early in their careers. Set against $11,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fitchburg State University earned the #8 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $29,191 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University placed #9 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $29,595. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Holyoke Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,988, while out-of-state students pay about $10,932. Students borrow a median of $9,763 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $43,423 early in their careers. Set against $9,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salem State University earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $26,180. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Williams College landed the #12 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,560. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $34,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell placed #13 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,283. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $36,317 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
Harvard University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $115,516. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Framingham State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,920, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Framingham State University generally make around $28,843. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Westfield State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $33,440. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #17 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $36,980 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Amherst College placed #18 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $70,480. Students borrow a median of $15,398 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $59,271. Set against $15,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $26,359. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth landed the #20 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $26,567. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University earned the #21 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,127. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $31,230. That is a strong return on a $26,127 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Wellesley College placed #22 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $48,902. Set against $11,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design placed #23 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $15,400 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $24,807. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Massachusetts College Of Art And Design generally make around $30,546. Set against $24,807 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Hampshire College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the rural area of Amherst, Hampshire College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,896 in tuition and fees. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Hampshire College generally make around $21,113. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Mount Holyoke College came in at #25 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Hadley. Students from in state pay about $67,018 in tuition and fees. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $18,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in visual & performing arts:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
