[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
For return on investment in visual & performing arts, no school beat Central Piedmont Community College this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $30,979. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Wayne Community College one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $33,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wilkes Community College earned it the #3 place for visual & performing arts. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $36,341. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Forsyth Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,276 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,374 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Forsyth Technical Community College earn a median of $29,715 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lenoir Community College came in at #6 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,578, compared with $8,822 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,984 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $38,736. That is a strong return on a $9,984 median debt.
Alamance Community College landed the #7 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $37,585. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Elizabeth City State University earned the #8 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,536 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,536. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,992. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $28,300. Set against $26,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Elizabeth City State University admits about 64% of applicants.
Wake Technical Community College earned the #9 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,414. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College generally make around $32,153. Set against $13,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mitchell Community College landed the #10 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the town of Statesville, Mitchell Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,651, with out-of-state students paying around $8,795. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $6,313 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $40,450. That is a strong return on a $6,313 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $17,008 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $29,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Randolph Community College placed #12 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the town of Asheboro, Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,416, compared with $8,176 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Randolph Community College earn a median of $32,198 early in their careers.
Haywood Community College came in at #13 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,580, compared with $8,724 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Haywood Community College generally make around $35,767.
Pitt Community College earned the #14 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Pitt Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Winterville. Students from in state pay about $3,871 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,087 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $19,741. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $43,022. That is a strong return on a $19,741 median debt.
Cape Fear Community College landed the #15 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,748, while out-of-state students pay about $8,892. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $12,388. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cape Fear Community College earn a median of $42,889 early in their careers. Set against $12,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $25,630. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $22,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Fayetteville State University placed #17 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,497 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $16,454 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,497 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earned the #18 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $40,578 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Catawba Valley Community College earned the #19 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Hickory. Students from in state pay about $2,427 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,803. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $9,842 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Catawba Valley Community College earn a median of $38,219 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,842 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville landed the #20 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,501, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $23,926 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Asheville generally make around $23,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Asheville admits about 92% of applicants.
Western Carolina University landed the #21 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,002 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $26,127 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,002 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #22 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $29,182. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $17,214 early in their careers. Set against $29,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts landed the #23 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public school located in the city of Winston Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,477, while out-of-state students pay about $27,211. Students borrow a median of $23,752 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earn a median of $22,040 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,752 median debt. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts admits about 30% of applicants.
Winston Salem State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,126, compared with $16,782 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,653 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $43,969. Set against $27,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #25 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,227 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $28,361. That is a strong return on a $26,227 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in visual & performing arts:
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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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
