[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Washburn University earned the #1 spot for value among visual & performing arts schools in Kansas. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $21,175. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Fort Hays State University one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $22,937 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $31,909. That is a strong return on a $22,937 median debt. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Washburn Institute Of Technology one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $8,880 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $11,362. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $39,749. That is a strong return on a $11,362 median debt.
Johnson County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,625. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $32,030. Set against $13,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Wichita State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,310 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $29,580. Set against $27,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Emporia State University came in at #6 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $25,129. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $19,276. Set against $25,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas landed the #7 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $23,802 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $30,490 early in their careers. Set against $23,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Butler Community College placed #8 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of El Dorado. In-state tuition and fees average $3,541, while out-of-state students pay about $6,271. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $16,670 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $39,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kansas State University placed #9 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $31,602. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University landed the #10 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $22,669 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $50,003. That is a strong return on a $22,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
View All Visual & Performing Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
