[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 11 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.
Wichita Area Technical College tops our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools in Kansas. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,237 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $11,828. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Wichita Area Technical College earn a median of $35,358 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,828 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fort Hays State University earned it the #2 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. 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. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $31,909 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Johnson County Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, compared with $5,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $13,625. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $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 #4. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $27,310 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $28,926 early in their careers. Set against $27,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $22,669 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $50,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Washburn University came in at #6 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $21,175. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $50,955. Set against $21,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butler Community College earned the #7 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of El Dorado. Students from in state pay about $3,541 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $16,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Kansas earned the #8 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $23,802 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $30,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Kansas State University earned the #9 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $32,053. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Emporia State University placed #10 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Students borrow a median of $25,129 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $19,276 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Benedictine College placed #11 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Atchison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,350. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Benedictine College generally make around $46,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
