[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 28 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Virginia Western Community College earned the #1 spot for value among visual & performing arts schools in Virginia. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $31,440 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,715 median debt.
John Tyler Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $5,000. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $18,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Germanna Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, compared with $11,648 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,999. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $41,880 early in their careers. Set against $10,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $33,232. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $5,858 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,195 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $22,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thomas Nelson Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,088, while out-of-state students pay about $11,526. Students borrow a median of $14,402 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Thomas Nelson Community College earn a median of $36,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,402 median debt.
Mary Baldwin College landed the #7 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Staunton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,187. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $29,562. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Mary Baldwin College earn a median of $60,386 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Old Dominion University placed #8 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,355. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $27,535. Set against $27,355 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Radford University landed the #9 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,548 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,395 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Radford University earn a median of $29,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,395 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Bridgewater College placed #10 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,090. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,423 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Bridgewater College generally make around $38,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
George Mason University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $24,951. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $33,184. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Norfolk State University landed the #12 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,180, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Norfolk State University earn a median of $54,971 early in their careers. Norfolk State University admits about 88% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary placed #13 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $18,935. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $29,752. Set against $18,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia State University came in at #14 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,043, with out-of-state students paying around $22,650. Students borrow a median of $29,010 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Virginia State University earn a median of $40,620 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Longwood University earned the #15 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,740 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,980 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $25,688 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $35,536. That is a strong return on a $25,688 median debt. Longwood University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Mary Washington came in at #16 for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,905, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $23,314. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $24,073. That is a strong return on a $23,314 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $18,636. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $23,372. That is a strong return on a $18,636 median debt. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University earned the #18 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Regent University earn a median of $43,417 early in their careers. Set against $29,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Lynchburg College earned the #19 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,750 in tuition and fees. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $107,159. Lynchburg College admits about 43% of applicants.
Hollins University came in at #20 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Roanoke, Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $43,560. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Hollins University earn a median of $26,798 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
James Madison University placed #21 among the best values for visual & performing arts. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $21,046 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $33,394. That is a strong return on a $21,046 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Christopher Newport University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,828, while out-of-state students pay about $31,178. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of $23,656 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #23 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $25,079. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $30,441. Set against $25,079 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #24 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $40,845. That is a strong return on a $26,234 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Marymount University came in at #25 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Arlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,120. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $44,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marymount University admits about 93% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s visual & performing arts value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
