Visual & Performing Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 schools to find the best for visual & performing arts students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall visual & performing arts education in Michigan.
Leading the list is University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, our #1 school for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 611 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $29,334 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,671 to complete this degree.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
A rank of #2 makes Kalamazoo College one of the top schools for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 25 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Kalamazoo College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $37,374 in their early career. Kalamazoo College graduates carry a median of $26,118 in student loans.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Kalamazoo College
Lawrence Technological University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Southfield. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 36 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Lawrence Technological University in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $74,924 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,799 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Lawrence Technological University
A rank of #4 makes Michigan State University one of the top schools for visual & performing arts. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 487 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Michigan State University earn around $37,076 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,185.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Michigan State University
Students looking for a strong visual & performing arts program will find one at Hope College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Hope College graduates 80% of students within six years. Hope College awarded about 21 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Hope College earn around $23,050 in the first couple years of their career. Hope College graduates carry a median of $26,334 in student loans.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Hope College
Grand Valley State University placed #6 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 177 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Grand Valley State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $27,983 in their early career. Grand Valley State University graduates carry a median of $28,258 in student loans.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Grand Valley State University
Western Michigan University placed #7 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Western Michigan University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 220 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Western Michigan University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Western Michigan University earn around $27,387 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,346 to complete this degree.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Western Michigan University
Adrian College came in at #8 for visual & performing arts this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Adrian. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 41 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Adrian College in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Adrian College earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,071.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Adrian College
Cornerstone University came in at #9 for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 17 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Cornerstone University in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $44,501 in their early career. Cornerstone University graduates carry a median of $29,243 in student loans.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Cornerstone University
College For Creative Studies placed #10 among the best visual & performing arts schools. College For Creative Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 119 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at College For Creative Studies in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from College For Creative Studies earn around $32,070 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,235.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at College For Creative Studies
Ferris State University landed the #11 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 113 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Ferris State University in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $30,766 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,918.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Ferris State University
Central Michigan University landed the #12 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. Central Michigan University awarded about 124 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Central Michigan University earn around $27,620 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,810.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Central Michigan University
Calvin College placed #13 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 33 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Calvin College in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $15,906 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,928.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Calvin College
Wayne State University landed the #14 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 177 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Wayne State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $28,152. Wayne State University graduates carry a median of $27,279 in student loans.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Wayne State University
Eastern Michigan University placed #15 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Eastern Michigan University graduates 46% of students within six years. Eastern Michigan University awarded about 139 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $32,620 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,323.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Eastern Michigan University
Northern Michigan University placed #16 among the best visual & performing arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Marquette. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Northern Michigan University awarded about 71 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $23,786. Northern Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Northern Michigan University
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #17 for visual & performing arts this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. About 48% of students finish within six years. Saginaw Valley State University awarded about 48 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $27,834 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,125 to complete this degree.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Saginaw Valley State University
Oakland University landed the #18 spot for visual & performing arts this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Oakland University awarded about 151 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Oakland University earn around $25,533 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,239.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Oakland University
Grand Rapids Community College landed the #19 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. Grand Rapids Community College awarded about 44 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $41,689. Grand Rapids Community College graduates carry a median of $11,780 in student loans.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Grand Rapids Community College
Washtenaw Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. About 36 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Washtenaw Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Washtenaw Community College graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Washtenaw Community College
Muskegon Community College placed #21 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 22 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Muskegon Community College in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Muskegon Community College earn a median of $48,267 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,928 to complete this degree.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Muskegon Community College
Oakland Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. About 26 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Oakland Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $43,205 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Oakland Community College
Lansing Community College placed #23 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 16 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Lansing Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $46,103 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,700.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Lansing Community College
Schoolcraft College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This large public university is located in the city of Livonia. Schoolcraft College awarded about 17 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $46,283 early in their careers. Schoolcraft College graduates carry a median of $15,677 in student loans.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Schoolcraft College
Southwestern Michigan College landed the #25 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 18 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Southwestern Michigan College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Southwestern Michigan College generally make around $43,153. Students borrow a median of $16,575 to complete this degree.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Southwestern Michigan College
These schools also placed among the best for visual & performing arts this year:
More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
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 · 29 schools evaluated.
- 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.
