[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 4 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.
Our analysis ranked Black Hills State University the best value for a degree in visual & performing arts in South Dakota. Set in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,916, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Students borrow a median of $26,820 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Black Hills State University generally make around $31,022. That is a strong return on a $26,820 median debt. Black Hills State University admits about 96% of applicants.
South Dakota State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual & performing arts graduates is $27,000. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $35,944 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Dakota earned it the #3 place for visual & performing arts. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $42,062. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Students looking for strong value in visual & performing arts will find it at Augustana College South Dakota, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,160. Students borrow a median of $26,217 to complete the visual & performing arts program here. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Augustana College South Dakota earn a median of $50,088 early in their careers. Set against $26,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
