[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 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual & performing arts students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Community College Of Rhode Island the best value for a degree in visual & performing arts in Rhode Island. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $14,834. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $18,544. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rhode Island College earned it the #2 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $19,038 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $28,719. That is a strong return on a $19,038 median debt. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Rhode Island one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Students borrow a median of $20,955 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $22,115 early in their careers. Set against $20,955 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brown University earned it the #4 place for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $17,300. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $23,180. Set against $17,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New England Institute Of Technology earned it the #5 place for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of East Greenwich, New England Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,275. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,128. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from New England Institute Of Technology generally make around $26,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New England Institute Of Technology admits about 67% of applicants.
Salve Regina University came in at #6 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Salve Regina University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Newport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,100. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $56,636. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Roger Williams University landed the #7 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Roger Williams University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bristol. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,197. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,445 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Roger Williams University earn a median of $48,664 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rhode Island School Of Design landed the #8 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Rhode Island School Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $24,374. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
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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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
