[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 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 Marshall University this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,367 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $24,475. Set against $25,367 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Shepherd University one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Shepherd University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Shepherdstown. Students from in state pay about $9,056 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,082 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Shepherd University earn a median of $33,059 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $23,908. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $28,435 early in their careers. Set against $23,908 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
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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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
