[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual & performing arts students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #1 spot for value among visual & performing arts schools in New Mexico. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Students borrow a median of $19,277 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $49,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Mexico State University Dona Ana earned it the #3 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,322, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $10,284 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $39,399. That is a strong return on a $10,284 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $17,071. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $21,883. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Santa Fe Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the rural area of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,851, compared with $4,131 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $15,267. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Santa Fe Community College earn a median of $51,935 early in their careers. Set against $15,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture earned the #6 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the rural area of Santa Fe, Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,920. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture generally make around $29,835. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #7 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $22,440. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $21,572 early in their careers. Set against $22,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
View All Visual & Performing Arts Rankings >
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
