[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Leading the list is Utah Valley University, our #1 best value for visual & performing arts in Utah. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $15,400 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $30,848 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,400 median debt.
Snow College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $42,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,766. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $34,227. Set against $10,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Weber State University earned it the #4 place for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $21,851. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $40,507 early in their careers. Set against $21,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Utah University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. 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. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $27,335 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,284 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgerland Technical College placed #6 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Logan, Bridgerland Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Bridgerland Technical College earn a median of $28,884 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Latter Day Saints Business College came in at #7 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, Latter Day Saints Business College is a large private not-for-profit institution. 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.
Western Governors University came in at #8 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,658 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,277 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. 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.
Utah State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $15,107 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $33,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #10 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,502 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $27,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Dixie State College Of Utah landed the #11 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Dixie State College Of Utah generally make around $23,524. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.
University Of Utah came in at #12 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $19,061. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $35,258. Set against $19,061 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
