[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 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.
Our analysis ranked Hinds Community College the best value for a degree in visual & performing arts in Mississippi. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,385 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $34,003. Set against $16,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Itawamba Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Itawamba Community College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Holmes Community College, which ranked #3. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. Students from in state pay about $3,710 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,191 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $32,145. That is a strong return on a $13,191 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earned it the #4 place for visual & performing arts. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,653 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest Mississippi Community College earned it the #5 place for visual & performing arts. Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public school located in the town of Senatobia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,740. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,990. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $35,001. That is a strong return on a $9,990 median debt.
Mississippi University For Women landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the town of Columbus, Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,492 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $24,509. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Mississippi University For Women earn a median of $42,756 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,509 median debt. Mississippi University For Women admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for visual & performing arts. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $20,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $30,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Delta State University placed #8 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,605. Students borrow a median of $27,531 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Delta State University generally make around $25,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Belhaven University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Jackson, Belhaven University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Belhaven University earn a median of $19,269 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University earned the #10 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $24,752. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #11 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $26,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.
Jackson State University landed the #12 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Jackson, Jackson State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,965 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,965. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Jackson State University generally make around $23,555. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi College earned the #13 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,500. Students borrow a median of $25,510 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $32,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
