[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual & performing arts education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 119 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.
For return on investment in visual & performing arts, no school beat College Of The Mainland this year. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 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 El Centro College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,835 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $31,478. Set against $11,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #3 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $6,868. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,672. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $20,021. That is a strong return on a $14,672 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma City Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Students borrow a median of $13,209 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $27,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College came in at #6 for value in visual & performing arts this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $8,542. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $9,347 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #7 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $18,948 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $35,429. Set against $18,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Pima Community College earned the #8 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,541. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $25,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,058 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $30,343. That is a strong return on a $10,058 median debt.
Del Mar College earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College landed the #12 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $11,839. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $37,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
Amarillo College landed the #13 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $15,720. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $41,053 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.
Austin Community College District earned the #14 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,389 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $36,091. That is a strong return on a $17,389 median debt.
Northwest Vista College came in at #15 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Northwest Vista College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $9,189. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Northwest Vista College generally make around $29,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #16 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $10,112. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Arizona College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $11,635. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $48,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College came in at #18 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kilgore College placed #19 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,160, with out-of-state students paying around $5,256. Students borrow a median of $16,734 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Kilgore College generally make around $44,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tulsa Community College placed #20 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Collin County Community College District came in at #21 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,014 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Students borrow a median of $6,900 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $33,456. That is a strong return on a $6,900 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $19,277 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $49,087. That is a strong return on a $19,277 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Mohave Community College came in at #23 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,208, while out-of-state students pay about $7,968. Students borrow a median of $14,766 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Mohave Community College earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,766 median debt.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $2,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,284 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from New Mexico State University Dona Ana generally make around $39,399. Set against $10,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Plains College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,733 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,788. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $30,949. Set against $13,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for visual & performing arts this year:
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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 · 119 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 119 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.
