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2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts

511 Colleges in the United States
16,654 Master's Degrees
$30,482 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on getting your master's degree in visual and performing arts, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #10 in the country in terms of popularity. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

College Factual looked at 511 colleges and universities when compiling its 2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 16,654 master's degrees in visual and performing arts to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Visual & Performing Arts School for Your Master's Degree

Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts Your choice of school for getting your master's degree in visual and performing arts matters. One of the reasons we created our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts ranking is to help you make that choice.

Being popular does not always equate to overall quality, but a school with a large number of visual and performing arts students usually has them for a reason. This may be due to it being a great value, it offering a stellar educational experience, or the subject is a major focus of the school.

More Ways to Rank Visual & Performing Arts Schools

Associate Degrees in Visual & Performing Arts
Bachelor's Degrees in Visual & Performing Arts
Doctor's Degrees in Visual & Performing Arts
Overall Popularity in Visual & Performing Arts

This ranking is just one of the many we have created. First of all, if you are interested in other degree levels, you may want to take a look at one of the rankings highlighted above. Also, if you are interested in attending school in a specific part of the country, see our rankings by location. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for visual and performing arts.

The following list ranks the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a master's degree in visual and performing arts. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Most Well Attended Schools for Visual & Performing Arts Students Working on Their Master's

1
638 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NY
#2 Best Quality In NY

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at New York University if you wish to pursue a master's degree in visual and performing arts. NYU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in visual and performing arts in New York.

There were about 638 visual and performing arts students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from New York University

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459 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In GA
#5 Best Quality In GA

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Savannah College of Art and Design if you want to pursue a master's degree in visual and performing arts. Located in the city of Savannah, SCAD is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for master's degrees in visual and performing arts in Georgia.

There were approximately 459 visual and performing arts students who graduated with this degree at SCAD in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from Savannah College of Art and Design

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Full Sail University crest
Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL
448 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In FL
#12 Best Quality In FL

Every student who is interested in a master's degree in visual and performing arts has to look into Full Sail University. Full Sail University is a fairly large private for-profit university located in the large suburb of Winter Park.

There were about 448 visual and performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Full Sail University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from Full Sail University

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375 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CA
#3 Best Quality In CA

Any student who is interested in a master's degree in visual and performing arts has to check out University of Southern California. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in visual and performing arts in California.

There were approximately 375 visual and performing arts individuals who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from University of Southern California

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Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA
342 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In CA
#20 Best Quality In CA

Academy of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit university located in the city of San Francisco.

There were about 342 visual and performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Academy of Art University in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from Academy of Art University

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New School University crest
The New School
New York, NY
318 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NY
#21 Best Quality In NY

Located in the city of New York, New School University is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.

There were about 318 visual and performing arts students who graduated with this degree at New School University in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from The New School

7
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
262 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CT
#1 Best Quality In CT

Yale is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of New Haven. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in visual and performing arts in Connecticut.

There were about 262 visual and performing arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Yale in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from Yale University

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251 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IN
#3 Best Quality In IN

Located in the small city of Bloomington, IU Bloomington is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in visual and performing arts in Indiana.

There were approximately 251 visual and performing arts individuals who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from Indiana University - Bloomington

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223 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In NY
#7 Best Quality In NY

Pratt Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Brooklyn. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #7 in quality for master's degrees in visual and performing arts in New York.

There were about 223 visual and performing arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Pratt Institute in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from Pratt Institute - Main

10
217 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MD
#2 Best Quality In MD

MICA is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large city of Baltimore. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in visual and performing arts in Maryland.

There were roughly 217 visual and performing arts students who graduated with this degree at MICA in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from Maryland Institute College of Art

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212 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MA
#13 Best Quality In MA

Berklee College of Music is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit college located in the large city of Boston.

There were about 212 visual and performing arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Berklee College of Music in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from Berklee College of Music

12
210 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In CA
#44 Best Quality In CA

Located in the midsize city of Burbank, New York Film Academy is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

There were about 210 visual and performing arts students who graduated with this degree at New York Film Academy in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from New York Film Academy

13
201 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IL
#10 Best Quality In IL

Located in the large city of Chicago, School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

There were about 201 visual and performing arts individuals who graduated with this degree at School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from School of the Art Institute of Chicago

14
196 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In NY
#10 Best Quality In NY

SVA is a small private for-profit school located in the city of New York.

There were roughly 196 visual and performing arts individuals who graduated with this degree at SVA in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from School of Visual Arts

15
176 Annual Master's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In NY
#28 Best Quality In NY

Manhattan School of Music is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New York.

There were roughly 176 visual and performing arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Manhattan School of Music in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from Manhattan School of Music

16
173 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In OH
#6 Best Quality In OH

Located in the city of Cincinnati, UC is a public university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for master's degrees in visual and performing arts in Ohio.

There were roughly 173 visual and performing arts students who graduated with this degree at UC in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

17
167 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MA
#3 Best Quality In MA

Located in the large city of Boston, Boston U is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in visual and performing arts in Massachusetts.

There were roughly 167 visual and performing arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from Boston University

18
162 Annual Master's Degrees
#6 Most Popular In NY
#4 Best Quality In NY

Columbia is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for master's degrees in visual and performing arts in New York.

There were approximately 162 visual and performing arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from Columbia University in the City of New York

19
155 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In FL
#3 Best Quality In FL

Florida State is a very large public university located in the city of Tallahassee. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for master's degrees in visual and performing arts in Florida.

There were roughly 155 visual and performing arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Florida State in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from Florida State University

20
149 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In IL
#1 Best Quality In IL

Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in visual and performing arts in Illinois.

There were roughly 149 visual and performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from Northwestern University

21
142 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In PA
#2 Best Quality In PA

Carnegie Mellon is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Pittsburgh. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in visual and performing arts in Pennsylvania.

There were approximately 142 visual and performing arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from Carnegie Mellon University

22
140 Annual Master's Degrees
#7 Most Popular In NY
#18 Best Quality In NY

Juilliard is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New York.

There were about 140 visual and performing arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Juilliard in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from The Juilliard School

23
137 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In CA
#4 Best Quality In CA

UCLA is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Los Angeles. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for master's degrees in visual and performing arts in California.

There were roughly 137 visual and performing arts individuals who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from University of California - Los Angeles

23
137 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AZ
#1 Best Quality In AZ

Located in the city of Tempe, ASU - Tempe is a public university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in visual and performing arts in Arizona.

There were roughly 137 visual and performing arts individuals who graduated with this degree at ASU - Tempe in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from Arizona State University - Tempe

25
128 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TX
#12 Best Quality In TX

UNT is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Denton.

There were roughly 128 visual and performing arts students who graduated with this degree at UNT in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in visual and performing arts from University of North Texas

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Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
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Bard crest
Bard College
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY
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Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
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Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
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Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
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Additional Award Winners

This list represents the remainder of the schools awarded a Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 511 different United States visual and performing arts schools we analyzed.

RankCollegeLocation
47University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL
47Chapman UniversityOrange, CA
52American UniversityWashington, DC
52California State University - NorthridgeNorthridge, CA
54University of Wisconsin - MadisonMadison, WI
55Bowling Green State University - Main CampusBowling Green, OH
56Regent UniversityVirginia Beach, VA
57Brooklyn CollegeBrooklyn, NY
58Columbia College ChicagoChicago, IL
59Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY
59Rutgers University - New BrunswickNew Brunswick, NJ
61Sotheby’s Institute of Art - NYNew York, NY
61California State University - Long BeachLong Beach, CA
63Kent State University at KentKent, OH
64University of Northern ColoradoGreeley, CO
65Southern Methodist UniversityDallas, TX
65Cleveland Institute of MusicCleveland, OH
67University of HartfordWest Hartford, CT
68University of FloridaGainesville, FL
68Vermont College of Fine ArtsMontpelier, VT
70University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT
70University of Minnesota - Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN
70Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge, LA
73Cranbrook Academy of ArtBloomfield Hills, MI
73Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusa, CA
75San Francisco Art InstituteSan Francisco, CA
76Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Visual & Performing Arts students that almost earned our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts award.

RankCollegeLocation
77Rhode Island School of DesignProvidence, RI
77Rice UniversityHouston, TX
77University of Maryland - College ParkCollege Park, MD
77University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI
77New York School of Interior DesignNew York, NY
82Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester, NY
83California State University - FullertonFullerton, CA
84Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles, CA
85University of Washington - Seattle CampusSeattle, WA
85University of North Carolina School of the ArtsWinston-Salem, NC
87University of KansasLawrence, KS
87Purchase CollegePurchase, NY
87George Washington UniversityWashington, DC
90The City College of New YorkNew York, NY
90Eastern Illinois UniversityCharleston, IL
90Illinois State UniversityNormal, IL
93Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
93Hunter CollegeNew York, NY
93University of DenverDenver, CO
96University of New Mexico - Main CampusAlbuquerque, NM
96Pacific Northwest College of ArtPortland, OR
98The University of Tennessee - KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN
98University of California - IrvineIrvine, CA
98University of KentuckyLexington, KY
98University of OregonEugene, OR
102Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA
102Georgia State UniversityAtlanta, GA
102Art Center College of DesignPasadena, CA
102University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, NC
102New York Academy of ArtNew York, NY

Visual & Performing Arts by Region

View the Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Visual & Performing Arts for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Visual & Performing Arts Majors to Study

MajorAnnual Graduates
Music6,038
Fine & Studio Arts3,082
Design & Applied Arts1,987
Film, Video & Photographic Arts1,837
Drama & Theater Arts1,684
Arts & Media Management1,155
General Visual & Performing Arts355
Other Visual Art291
Dance219
Crafts, Folk Art & Artisanry6

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Theology & Religious Vocations13,427
English Language & Literature7,906
Foreign Languages & Linguistics2,964
Philosophy & Religious Studies2,198
Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities1,990

Notes and References

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