Visual & Performing Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for visual & performing arts students pursuing a degree.
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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.
Our analysis ranked Georgetown University the best school in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 15 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $79,632. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Georgetown University
American University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #2 spot this year. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 149 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of American University earn a median of $33,837 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,918.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for American University
A rank of #3 makes George Washington University one of the top schools for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. George Washington University awarded about 111 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from George Washington University earn around $43,214 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete this degree.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for George Washington University
Students looking for a strong visual & performing arts program will find one at Catholic University Of America, which ranked #4. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 73 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Catholic University Of America in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $23,856. Typical student debt for the program is $24,625.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Catholic University Of America
Howard University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Howard University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Howard University graduates 70% of students within six years. Howard University awarded about 84 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Howard University earn around $17,095 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Howard University
University Of The District Of Columbia placed #6 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of The District Of Columbia awarded about 26 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of The District Of Columbia earn a median of $57,060 early in their careers. University Of The District Of Columbia graduates carry a median of $32,304 in student loans.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for University Of The District Of Columbia
National Conservatory Of Dramatic Arts ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Washington, National Conservatory Of Dramatic Arts is a small private not-for-profit institution. National Conservatory Of Dramatic Arts awarded about 11 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from National Conservatory Of Dramatic Arts
More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
View All Visual & Performing Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 8 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.
