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2023 Best Visual & Performing Arts Colleges for Veterans in Virginia

16 Ranked Colleges
3,630 Degrees Awarded
$33,000 Avg Cost*
Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Visual & Performing Arts

When it comes to choosing a college, veterans have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Visual & Performing Arts” ranking - to help you make that decision.

With 149,215 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, visual and performing arts is the 10th most popular major in the United States. In 2019-2020, visual and performing arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $26,700 and had an average of $25,051 in loans still to pay off.

Across Virginia, there were 3,630 visual and performing arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $26,234 and $25,261 respectively.

For this year’s “Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Visual & Performing Arts” ranking, we looked at 16 colleges that offer a degree in visual and performing arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality visual and performing arts programs as well as strong veteran support.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the visual and performing arts program at the school, veteran affordability, and veteran population. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The visual & performing arts school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Visual & Performing Arts”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Visual & Performing Arts

The colleges and universities below are the best for virginia vets studying visual & performing arts.

Top 16 Best Visual & Performing Arts Colleges for Veterans in Virginia

1
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend James Madison University. The school came in at #1 for the Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Visual & Performing Arts. James Madison University is a large public school situated in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It awarded 278 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

JMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.According to our most recent data, James Madison University supports 21,594 students, and 842 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 464 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $5,824. To help with additional expenses, 3 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. James Madison University does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read More…

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Virginia Commonwealth University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Visual & Performing Arts list. Richmond, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 627 students in 2020-2021.

VCU also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Among the 29,070 students enrolled at VCU, 1 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 2 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $13,085. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read More…

3
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Virginia Tech. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Visual & Performing Arts list. Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 172 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

Virginia Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.According to our most recent data, Virginia Tech supports 37,024 students, and 119 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 108 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $12,314. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read More…

4
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend George Mason University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Visual & Performing Arts list. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, this large public school awarded 342 degrees to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

GMU also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Our most recent data shows that 2,334 of the 38,541 students enrolled at GMU were GI Bill® students, of which 1,583 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $10,710. To help with additional expenses, 42 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full George Mason University Veteran Student Life Report

5
Old Dominion crest
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Old Dominion University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Visual & Performing Arts list. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, this large public school awarded 108 degrees to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

Old Dominion not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Of the 24,286 students enrolled at Old Dominion University, 1 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 0 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $0. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Old Dominion University offers credit for military training for eligible students.

Read More…

6
Marymount crest
Marymount University
Arlington, Virginia

With a ranking of #6, Marymount University did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Visual & Performing Arts list. Marymount University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Arlington, Virginia. It awarded 65 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Marymount also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Marymount supports 3,294 students, and 175 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 172 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $15,047. During this same period, 35 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Marymount offers credit for military training for eligible students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read More…

7
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Visual & Performing Arts list. Liberty University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Lynchburg, Virginia. It awarded 434 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Liberty University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Our most recent data shows that 13,282 of the 93,349 students enrolled at Liberty University were GI Bill® students, of which 8,897 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $4,888. In addition to receiving other benefits, 386 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Liberty University]](/colleges/liberty-university/student-life/veterans/)

8
Regent crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Regent University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Visual & Performing Arts ranking. Virginia Beach, Virginia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 90 students in 2020-2021.

Regent not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Of the 10,483 students enrolled at Regent, 1,414 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 1,139 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $9,203. On top of their other funding sources, 42 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Regent]](/colleges/regent-university/student-life/veterans/)

9
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Visual & Performing Arts ranking, coming in at #9. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a public institution located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 128 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 25,628 students enrolled at University of Virginia - Main Campus, 3 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 0 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $0. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read More…

10
CNU crest
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, Virginia

Christopher Newport University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Visual & Performing Arts list. Christopher Newport University is located in Newport News, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 53 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

CNU also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Christopher Newport University supports 4,868 students, and 344 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 196 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,614. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

[Read full report on veteran student life at CNU]](/colleges/christopher-newport-university/student-life/veterans/)

11
Radford crest
Radford University
Radford, Virginia

Radford University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Visual & Performing Arts ranking. Radford is located in Radford, Virginia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 136 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

Radford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Of the 10,695 students enrolled at Radford University, 460 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 225 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $8,142. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Radford]](/colleges/radford-university/student-life/veterans/)

12
Tidewater Community College crest
Tidewater Community College
Norfolk, Virginia

Tidewater Community College did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Visual & Performing Arts ranking, coming in at #12. Norfolk, Virginia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s visual and performing arts degrees to 111 students in 2020-2021.

Tidewater Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Among the 16,769 students enrolled at Tidewater Community College, 49 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 45 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $5,391. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

Full Tidewater Community College Veteran Student Life Report

13
Shenandoah crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, Virginia

Shenandoah University did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Visual & Performing Arts ranking, coming in at #13. Shenandoah is located in Winchester, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 126 ’s visual and performing arts degrees to qualified students.

Shenandoah did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Of the 4,174 students enrolled at Shenandoah, 222 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 133 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $16,576. To help with additional expenses, 36 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Shenandoah does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read More…

14

John Tyler Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Visual & Performing Arts ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Chester, Virginia, and it awarded 89 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia vets studying visual & performing arts list, John Tyler Community College has also earned the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] rank in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 519 of the 9,440 students enrolled at John Tyler Community College were GI Bill® students, of which 348 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,512. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Read More…

15

Northern Virginia Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Visual & Performing Arts ranking. Located in Annandale, Virginia, this large public school handed out 213 degrees to qualified ’s visual and performing arts students in 2020-2021.

Northern Virginia Community College also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 52,873 students enrolled at Northern Virginia Community College, 3 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 2 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $3,267. To help with additional expenses, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Northern Virginia Community College does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

Read More…

16
UMW crest
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, Virginia

University of Mary Washington did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in Virginia for Visual & Performing Arts ranking, coming in at #16. This small school is located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and it awarded 62 ’s visual and performing arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UMW also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Our most recent data shows that 47 of the 4,293 students enrolled at UMW were GI Bill® students, of which 39 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $5,578. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Mary Washington Veteran Student Life Report

Notes and References

References

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