[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value visual & performing arts schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Keene State College the best value for a degree in visual & performing arts in New Hampshire. Set in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,784, compared with $26,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,446. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Keene State College earn a median of $31,796 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Keene State College admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Plymouth State University, which ranked #2. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. Students from in state pay about $14,626 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $28,763. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at University Of New Hampshire Main Campus, which ranked #3. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Durham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $29,446. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New England College earned it the #4 place for visual & performing arts. Located in the rural area of Henniker, New England College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,474. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $35,038. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of New England College earn a median of $68,950 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,038 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Dartmouth College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Students borrow a median of $13,663 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $30,246. That is a strong return on a $13,663 median debt. Dartmouth College admits about 5% of applicants.
Southern New Hampshire University came in at #6 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,200. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $31,830 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Southern New Hampshire University generally make around $35,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
