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2027 Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Illinois

38 Colleges in the United States
5,280 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$34,719 Avg Early-Career Salary

Visual & Performing Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their visual & performing arts programs.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 schools to find the best for visual & performing arts students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Visual & Performing Arts in Illinois

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Visual & Performing Arts

1

Leading the list is University Of Chicago, our #1 school for visual & performing arts. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Chicago awarded about 60 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at University Of Chicago

2

Students looking for a strong visual & performing arts program will find one at Northwestern University, which ranked #2. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 408 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $27,335 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,822 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Northwestern University

3

Illinois State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 269 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $35,033 early in their careers. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $21,735 in student loans. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Illinois State University

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 302 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $26,855 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $22,183 in student loans. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

5

Loyola University Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 75 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $58,568 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete this degree. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Loyola University Chicago

6
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #6 for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 68% of students finish within six years. Depaul University awarded about 639 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $24,067 in their early career. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $25,302 in student loans. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Depaul University

7

Benedictine University placed #7 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 50% of students finish within six years. Benedictine University awarded about 14 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $54,212 in their early career. Benedictine University graduates carry a median of $25,338 in student loans. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Benedictine University

8
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage landed the #8 spot for visual & performing arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. About 112 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at College Of Dupage in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $31,798 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,077 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from College Of Dupage

9
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University placed #9 among the best visual & performing arts schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Aurora. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 23 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $51,483. Aurora University graduates carry a median of $24,507 in student loans. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Aurora University

10

University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #10 spot for visual & performing arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 161 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $27,291. Typical student debt for the program is $24,458. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University Of Illinois At Chicago

11

Eastern Illinois University landed the #11 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Eastern Illinois University graduates 47% of students within six years. About 115 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $39,185 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,820 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Eastern Illinois University

12

Wheaton College Illinois earned the #12 position for visual & performing arts this year. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 31 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $25,976. Wheaton College Illinois graduates carry a median of $24,086 in student loans. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Wheaton College Illinois

13
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College came in at #13 for visual & performing arts this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. About 66 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Harper College in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Harper College earn around $44,523 in the first couple years of their career. Harper College graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Harper College

14

Saint Xavier University landed the #14 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Saint Xavier University in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Saint Xavier University earn around $51,753 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,735. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Saint Xavier University

15
Knox College crest
Knox College
Galesburg, IL

Knox College came in at #15 for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Galesburg, Knox College is a small private not-for-profit university. Knox College graduates 68% of students within six years. Knox College awarded about 23 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Knox College earn around $27,822 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,420 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Knox College

16

Elgin Community College earned the #16 position for visual & performing arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Elgin. There were roughly 29 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Elgin Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $43,975 in their early career. Elgin Community College graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Elgin Community College

17

Bradley University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $26,789 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Bradley University

18

Northern Illinois University earned the #18 position for visual & performing arts this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northern Illinois University awarded about 180 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $34,061. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $27,642 in student loans. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Northern Illinois University

19

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #19 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 22% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northeastern Illinois University awarded about 53 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $30,845. Typical student debt for the program is $20,319. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Northeastern Illinois University

20
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College placed #20 among the best visual & performing arts schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Elmhurst. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Elmhurst College awarded about 70 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $22,807 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,966 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Elmhurst College

21

Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #21 position for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 94 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $31,819. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates carry a median of $24,792 in student loans. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

22
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University earned the #22 position for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 21% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Governors State University in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $51,711 early in their careers. Governors State University graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Governors State University

23
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Naperville. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 41 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at North Central College in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of North Central College earn a median of $25,435 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,452. See the full visual & performing arts program report for North Central College

24

Columbia College Chicago came in at #24 for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Columbia College Chicago graduates 52% of students within six years. About 1,017 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Columbia College Chicago earn around $23,903 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,699 to complete this degree. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Columbia College Chicago

25

Joliet Junior College earned the #25 position for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. About 43 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Joliet Junior College in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,995. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Joliet Junior College

Rest of the Top 38 Visual & Performing Arts Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s visual & performing arts ranking:

26
27
28
Mchenry County College crest
Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Parkland College crest
Parkland College
Champaign, IL
36
37
38

View All Visual & Performing Arts Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 38 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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