[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 14 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.
Northwest Arkansas Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools in Arkansas. Set in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,342, while out-of-state students pay about $5,238. Students borrow a median of $12,479 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Northwest Arkansas Community College generally make around $40,671. Set against $12,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Arkansas Fort Smith one of the best values for visual & performing arts. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Smith. Students from in state pay about $7,334 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,182. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $20,333 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Fort Smith generally make around $39,204. That is a strong return on a $20,333 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arkansas State University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for visual & performing arts. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $35,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Beebe is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,350. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Arkansas State University Beebe generally make around $30,293. Set against $9,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff earned it the #5 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the town of Pine Bluff, University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,375, with out-of-state students paying around $17,955. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,267. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Arkansas At Pine Bluff earn a median of $35,490 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,267 median debt. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas Tech University landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,674 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Students borrow a median of $28,950 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $20,285. Set against $28,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas Tech University admits about 96% of applicants.
National Park Community College landed the #7 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Hot Springs, National Park Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,600, compared with $7,280 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,162. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from National Park Community College generally make around $42,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Magnolia. In-state tuition and fees average $9,960, with out-of-state students paying around $15,690. Students borrow a median of $25,559 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus generally make around $22,016. Set against $25,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Central Arkansas ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Students from in state pay about $10,523 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,495. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Central Arkansas earn a median of $34,518 early in their careers. Set against $27,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock came in at #10 for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public school located in the city of Little Rock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,911, compared with $22,721 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $25,402. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $30,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas landed the #11 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $24,859. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $32,393. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
John Brown University landed the #12 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Siloam Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,756. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $20,850. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from John Brown University generally make around $24,893. Set against $20,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. John Brown University admits about 76% of applicants.
Harding University came in at #13 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,962. Students borrow a median of $26,715 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Harding University generally make around $35,582. Set against $26,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Ouachita Baptist University earned the #14 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Arkadelphia, Ouachita Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,500. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Ouachita Baptist University earn a median of $18,350 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
