[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 46 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value visual & performing arts schools.
What’s on this page:
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 Utah Valley University, our #1 best value for visual & performing arts in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $30,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Snow College earned it the #2 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pikes Peak Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,510 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $16,066. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $41,037 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,066 median debt.
Northwest College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Northwest College is a small public school located in the town of Powell. In-state tuition and fees average $4,962, while out-of-state students pay about $11,262. Students borrow a median of $12,996 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Northwest College generally make around $40,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brigham Young University Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,860. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $24,036. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Community College Of Aurora earned the #6 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,470, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Community College Of Aurora generally make around $20,533. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt.
Red Rocks Community College earned the #7 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,471 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $76,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Flathead Valley Community College came in at #8 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Kalispell, Flathead Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,912, while out-of-state students pay about $11,659. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $16,094 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Flathead Valley Community College generally make around $45,868. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #9 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,766. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $34,227 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,766 median debt.
College Of Western Idaho landed the #10 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,497. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $40,963 early in their careers.
Weber State University placed #11 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $21,851 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $40,507. That is a strong return on a $21,851 median debt.
Southern Utah University earned the #12 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $19,284 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $27,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Community College Of Denver landed the #13 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,658. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $18,830. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Community College Of Denver generally make around $45,202. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Idaho College placed #14 among the best values for visual & performing arts. North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Coeur d'Alene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,396, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from North Idaho College generally make around $49,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Latter Day Saints Business College earned the #15 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, Latter Day Saints Business College is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,004 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,630 ten years after entry.
Aims Community College placed #16 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Aims Community College is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,258, with out-of-state students paying around $11,786. Students borrow a median of $11,199 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Aims Community College earn a median of $45,909 early in their careers. Set against $11,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bridgerland Technical College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Bridgerland Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Logan. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Bridgerland Technical College generally make around $28,884. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arapahoe Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Arapahoe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Littleton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,434, with out-of-state students paying around $17,034. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $15,000. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Arapahoe Community College earn a median of $32,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
University Of Colorado Denver placed #19 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,664 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $30,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Western Governors University landed the #20 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,658. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $23,277. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $74,771 early in their careers. Set against $23,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Idaho State University earned the #21 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $24,640 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $51,446. That is a strong return on a $24,640 median debt.
Pickens Technical College earned the #22 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Aurora, Pickens Technical College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,140, compared with $9,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,250. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Pickens Technical College earn a median of $35,622 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
University Of Wyoming earned the #23 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $18,225 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $26,903 early in their careers. Set against $18,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Pueblo Community College placed #24 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,049, with out-of-state students paying around $17,649. Students borrow a median of $14,106 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Pueblo Community College generally make around $42,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Emily Griffith Technical College came in at #25 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Emily Griffith Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Denver. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,725. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Emily Griffith Technical College earn a median of $42,412 early in their careers. Set against $9,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s visual & performing arts value ranking:
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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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 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.
