[Visual & Performing Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 26 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
St Charles Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools in Missouri. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $47,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Louis Community College earned it the #2 place for visual & performing arts. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $11,424. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College generally make around $25,929. That is a strong return on a $11,424 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Metropolitan Community College Kansas City one of the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,281 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $46,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $13,664 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $47,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri Southern State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,600, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $22,241. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $29,309. Set against $22,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Truman State University placed #6 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $15,998. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #7 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $23,979 in student loans. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $31,248. Set against $23,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri earned the #8 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Students borrow a median of $24,329 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $29,740 early in their careers. Set against $24,329 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #9 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $28,837. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $33,409. That is a strong return on a $28,837 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Western State University landed the #10 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,545, compared with $18,455 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $24,362. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $37,200. That is a strong return on a $24,362 median debt.
East Central College earned the #11 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. East Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Union. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,272, with out-of-state students paying around $7,680. Students borrow a median of $12,062 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of East Central College earn a median of $37,925 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,062 median debt.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #12 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $19,179. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $28,273. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $26,648 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $25,336. Set against $26,648 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Evangel University landed the #14 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. Students borrow a median of $24,876 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $42,039 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #15 spot for visual & performing arts value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,854 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $32,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Lindenwood University came in at #16 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $25,083. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Park University placed #17 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,116. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $46,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $19,089 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $33,615. Set against $19,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Drury University came in at #19 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,745. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $26,641 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Drury University earn a median of $37,267 early in their careers. Set against $26,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drury University admits about 58% of applicants.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #20 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,166. Students borrow a median of $24,621 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $39,623. That is a strong return on a $24,621 median debt. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.
Culver Stockton College came in at #21 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Located in the rural area of Canton, Culver Stockton College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,875 in tuition and fees. Visual & Performing Arts graduates carry a median of $27,252 in student loans. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Culver Stockton College earn a median of $38,725 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Stevens Institute Of Business And Arts came in at #22 for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Stevens Institute Of Business And Arts is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,332. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,058 ten years after entry. Stevens Institute Of Business And Arts admits about 100% of applicants.
Columbia College Missouri placed #23 among the best values for visual & performing arts. Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $12,276. Students borrow a median of $29,213 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Early-career visual & performing arts graduates make about $47,962. Set against $29,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stephens College earned the #24 position for value in visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Stephens College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,300. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Stephens College earn a median of $16,476 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Webster University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value visual & performing arts schools. Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,750. Students borrow a median of $25,583 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Webster University earn a median of $16,573 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s visual & performing arts value ranking:
More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
