[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment 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 Vermont Technical College, our #1 best value for visual & performing arts in Vermont. Set in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,952, while out-of-state students pay about $22,296. Students borrow a median of $24,208 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $29,034. That is a strong return on a $24,208 median debt. Vermont Technical College admits about 82% of applicants.
Community College Of Vermont came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the rural area of Montpelier, Community College Of Vermont is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,920, while out-of-state students pay about $13,640. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,125. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $34,182. That is a strong return on a $12,125 median debt.
University Of Vermont came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $24,497 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Bennington College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the town of Bennington, Bennington College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $66,262 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,463 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Bennington College generally make around $16,695. Set against $26,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bennington College admits about 44% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Middlebury College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $15,948. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $54,713. Set against $15,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Champlain College came in at #6 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Champlain College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Burlington. In-state tuition and fees average $47,850. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,911. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Champlain College earn a median of $37,048 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,911 median debt. Champlain College admits about 83% of applicants.
More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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.
