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 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for visual & performing arts students pursuing a degree.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall visual & performing arts education in District of Columbia.
Our analysis ranked Georgetown University the best school in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data 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. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 191 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $33,250 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,918.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for American University
Students looking for a strong visual & performing arts program will find one at George Washington University, which ranked #3. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 107 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $43,308 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,910.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for George Washington University
Catholic University Of America is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts, ranking #4. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Catholic University Of America graduates 80% of students within six years. Catholic University Of America awarded about 57 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Catholic University Of America earn a median of $23,856 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete this degree.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Catholic University Of America
Howard University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 120 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Howard University in the most recent 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.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Howard University
Gallaudet University earned the #6 position for visual & performing arts this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. There were roughly 13 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Gallaudet University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Gallaudet University earn around $44,489 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,123.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Gallaudet University
University Of The District Of Columbia ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public university. University Of The District Of Columbia graduates 44% of students within six years. University Of The District Of Columbia awarded about 22 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $57,060 in their early career. 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
More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 7 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.
