[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual & performing arts students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual & performing arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Chattanooga State Community College the best value for a degree in visual & performing arts in Tennessee. Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,772, with out-of-state students paying around $17,756. Students borrow a median of $11,681 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Chattanooga State Community College earn a median of $20,165 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,681 median debt.
Pellissippi State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,951 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $43,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Tennessee Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,766, with out-of-state students paying around $17,750. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,406 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Southwest Tennessee Community College generally make around $43,592. Set against $11,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Nashville State Community College, which ranked #4. Nashville State Community College is a large public school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,730, with out-of-state students paying around $17,714. Students borrow a median of $16,745 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Nashville State Community College earn a median of $27,412 early in their careers. Set against $16,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Volunteer State Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Volunteer State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gallatin. Students from in state pay about $4,756 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,740. Students borrow a median of $12,462 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Volunteer State Community College earn a median of $40,137 early in their careers. Set against $12,462 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Tennessee Martin ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $25,660 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
Austin Peay State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Students borrow a median of $28,694 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $28,968. Set against $28,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #8 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $22,385 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $27,737 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,385 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $24,212. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $31,596. That is a strong return on a $24,212 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University came in at #10 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Students borrow a median of $16,185 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $33,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $25,000. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $21,766. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Vanderbilt University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Murfreesboro placed #13 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Murfreesboro is a small public university. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,723 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Murfreesboro earn a median of $37,744 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,723 median debt.
Tennessee State University came in at #14 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $23,868. That is a strong return on a $29,489 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University placed #15 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Students borrow a median of $22,593 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $28,264. Set against $22,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee landed the #16 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $24,762. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $30,093 early in their careers. Set against $24,762 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Maryville College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Maryville, Maryville College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,284. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,428. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Maryville College generally make around $42,971. Set against $26,428 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Lee University placed #18 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $23,790 in tuition and fees. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $28,646 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $26,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Freed Hardeman University placed #19 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. In-state tuition and fees average $25,620. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $24,479 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Memphis ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Memphis, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Memphis is a mid-sized public university. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,073 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Memphis earn a median of $28,814 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,073 median debt.
Southern Adventist University landed the #21 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,300. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $25,498. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Southern Adventist University generally make around $61,366. That is a strong return on a $25,498 median debt. Southern Adventist University admits about 66% of applicants.
Lipscomb University landed the #22 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $23,529. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $19,352. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
Nossi College Of Art landed the #23 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Nossi College Of Art is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,350 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $46,500. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Nossi College Of Art earn a median of $24,497 early in their careers. Set against $46,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Nashville Film Institute earned the #24 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Nashville Film Institute is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,058 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Nashville Film Institute generally make around $22,919.
Sae Institute Of Technology Nashville landed the #25 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Sae Institute Of Technology Nashville is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $15,828. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Sae Institute Of Technology Nashville earn a median of $17,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for visual & performing arts this year:
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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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
