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.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best visual & performing arts schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall visual & performing arts education in New Jersey.
Our analysis ranked The College Of New Jersey the best school in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 86 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $33,214 early in their careers. The College Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for The College Of New Jersey
Princeton University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts, ranking #2. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. There were roughly 56 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $67,532 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete this degree.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Princeton University
Rutgers University New Brunswick is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New Brunswick. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 346 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $30,446 in their early career. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $25,540 in student loans.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Rutgers University New Brunswick
County College Of Morris is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts, ranking #4. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. There were roughly 94 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at County College Of Morris in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $33,881. Students borrow a median of $9,250 to complete this degree.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for County College Of Morris
Rowan University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Rowan University awarded about 214 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $29,564. Students borrow a median of $24,788 to complete this degree.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Rowan University
Montclair State University came in at #6 for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Montclair State University graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 496 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Montclair State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Montclair State University earn around $31,839 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,524.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Montclair State University
New Jersey Institute Of Technology ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This large public university is located in the city of Newark. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. There were roughly 30 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at New Jersey Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $38,975 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from New Jersey Institute Of Technology
Rutgers University Newark ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 41 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Rutgers University Newark in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $25,083 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,278.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Rutgers University Newark
Bergen Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the suburb of Paramus, Bergen Community College is a large public institution. About 50 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Bergen Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Bergen Community College earn around $51,280 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,720 to complete this degree.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Bergen Community College
Seton Hall University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of South Orange. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Seton Hall University in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $63,871 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,500.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Seton Hall University
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus came in at #11 for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn around $54,505 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,115 to complete this degree.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus
Rutgers University Camden ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Rutgers University Camden in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $24,043 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,366.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Rutgers University Camden
Hudson County Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. There were roughly 42 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Hudson County Community College in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Hudson County Community College earn a median of $22,619 early in their careers. Hudson County Community College graduates carry a median of $6,899 in student loans.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Hudson County Community College
Rider University came in at #14 for visual & performing arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 130 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Rider University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Rider University earn around $27,069 in the first couple years of their career. Rider University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Rider University
Monmouth University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of West Long Branch. Monmouth University graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Monmouth University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Monmouth University generally make around $25,209. Students borrow a median of $26,628 to complete this degree.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Monmouth University
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #16 for visual & performing arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Branchburg. About 77 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Raritan Valley Community College in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,668.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Raritan Valley Community College
Stevens Institute Of Technology landed the #17 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hoboken. About 87% of students finish within six years. Stevens Institute Of Technology awarded about 47 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $21,623 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Stevens Institute Of Technology
Ramapo College Of New Jersey came in at #18 for visual & performing arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Mahwah. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 67 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Ramapo College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Ramapo College Of New Jersey generally make around $22,782. Typical student debt for the program is $23,395.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Ramapo College Of New Jersey
Burlington County College earned the #19 position for visual & performing arts this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Mount Laurel. About 31 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Burlington County College in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $52,240 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,488.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Burlington County College
New Jersey City University came in at #20 for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. New Jersey City University awarded about 102 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $18,952 early in their careers. New Jersey City University graduates carry a median of $21,209 in student loans.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for New Jersey City University
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey came in at #21 for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey awarded about 55 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn a median of $25,049 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,954 to complete this degree.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey
Kean University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Kean University graduates 47% of students within six years. Kean University awarded about 118 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $32,191. Typical student debt for the program is $27,685.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Kean University
Bloomfield College earned the #23 position for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Bloomfield, Bloomfield College is a small public university. Bloomfield College graduates 38% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Bloomfield College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $44,730 in their early career. Bloomfield College graduates carry a median of $24,207 in student loans.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Bloomfield College
William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned the #24 position for visual & performing arts this year. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. About 44% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 87 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at William Paterson University Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn around $25,583 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,921.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for William Paterson University Of New Jersey
Sussex County Community College came in at #25 for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 28 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Sussex County Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $27,179 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,750.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Sussex County Community College
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong visual & performing arts education:
More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
View All Visual & Performing Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 35 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.
