[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Leading the list is Pima Community College, our #1 best value for visual & performing arts in Arizona. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,541 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $25,344 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Arizona College earned it the #2 place for visual & performing arts. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rio Salado College earned it the #3 place for visual & performing arts. Rio Salado College is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,679. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $48,564. Set against $13,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mohave Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Kingman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,208, while out-of-state students pay about $7,968. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $14,766 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Mohave Community College earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Set against $14,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cochise 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 Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,280, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $12,013 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $40,712 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Yavapai College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,948, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,087. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $52,087. Set against $14,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona Western College came in at #7 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $44,895.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned the #8 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $15,996. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Arizona College came in at #9 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,352, compared with $9,552 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,781 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Eastern Arizona College earn a median of $40,304 early in their careers. Set against $6,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Phoenix College landed the #10 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,204 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $51,053. Set against $15,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa Community College landed the #11 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,750. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Paradise Valley Community College earned the #12 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $14,204. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Paradise Valley Community College earn a median of $71,136 early in their careers. Set against $14,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Estrella Mountain Community College placed #13 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $21,752. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $78,359. Set against $21,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chandler Gilbert Community College placed #14 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Chandler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $46,943. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Scottsdale Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $11,187 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $38,676. That is a strong return on a $11,187 median debt.
Gateway Community College Phoenix placed #16 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $15,736. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Gateway Community College Phoenix earn a median of $50,350 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,736 median debt.
South Mountain Community College placed #17 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Phoenix, South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,825.
Northern Arizona University came in at #18 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $20,751 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $30,422 early in their careers. Set against $20,751 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University placed #19 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $21,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $31,217. That is a strong return on a $21,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arizona came in at #20 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $18,158 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $29,381. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Bryan University Los Angeles came in at #21 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Bryan University Los Angeles is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,219. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $26,400. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Bryan University Los Angeles generally make around $31,425. That is a strong return on a $26,400 median debt.
Grand Canyon University landed the #22 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $18,508 in tuition and fees. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,708 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $35,208 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Sessions College For Professional Design placed #23 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Tempe, Sessions College For Professional Design is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,400. Students borrow a median of $25,199 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $19,275.
University Of Advancing Technology ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. University Of Advancing Technology is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,800. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,966 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Advancing Technology generally make around $30,579. That is a strong return on a $27,966 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
