Visual & Performing Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their visual & performing arts programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 59 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 Pennsylvania.
No school ranked higher than Lehigh University this year for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Lehigh University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $70,321. Typical student debt for the program is $23,008.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Lehigh University
A rank of #2 makes Saint Josephs University one of the top schools for visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint Josephs University awarded about 21 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Saint Josephs University earn around $65,421 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,426 to complete this degree.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Saint Josephs University
Dickinson College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Carlisle. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Dickinson College awarded about 19 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Dickinson College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. Dickinson College graduates carry a median of $19,014 in student loans.
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A rank of #4 makes University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus one of the top schools for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 127 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn around $26,911 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,327 to complete this degree.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of West Chester. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania graduates 70% of students within six years. About 127 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #6 for visual & performing arts this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 78 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $34,619 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,359 to complete this degree.
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Gettysburg College landed the #7 spot for visual & performing arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Gettysburg. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Gettysburg College awarded about 30 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Gettysburg College earn around $27,556 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,309.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Gettysburg College
Swarthmore College came in at #8 for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 27 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Swarthmore College in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $66,971 early in their careers. Swarthmore College graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Swarthmore College
Drexel University landed the #9 spot for visual & performing arts this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. About 355 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Drexel University in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $36,478 early in their careers. Drexel University graduates carry a median of $26,488 in student loans.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Drexel University
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 317 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn around $23,838 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,682.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Messiah College earned the #11 position for visual & performing arts this year. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 80 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Messiah College in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Messiah College earn a median of $66,109 early in their careers. Messiah College graduates carry a median of $25,965 in student loans.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Messiah College
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #12 for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 291 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $31,483 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,813.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Carnegie Mellon University
La Salle University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. La Salle University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 14 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at La Salle University in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $54,618 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,462.
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Bryn Mawr College landed the #14 spot for visual & performing arts this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 22 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Bryn Mawr College in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $35,668 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,069.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Bryn Mawr College
Saint Vincent College came in at #15 for visual & performing arts this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Latrobe. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Saint Vincent College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Saint Vincent College earn around $54,916 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,986 to complete this degree.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Saint Vincent College
Chatham University placed #16 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Chatham University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Chatham University awarded about 29 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Chatham University generally make around $61,339. Students borrow a median of $24,261 to complete this degree.
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Thomas Jefferson University landed the #17 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Thomas Jefferson University graduates 69% of students within six years. Thomas Jefferson University awarded about 44 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Thomas Jefferson University earn around $36,433 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Thomas Jefferson University
Temple University landed the #18 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Temple University awarded about 562 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $21,764. Students borrow a median of $25,296 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Temple University
Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #19 for visual & performing arts this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University World Campus generally make around $25,702. Students borrow a median of $26,945 to complete this degree.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Pennsylvania State University World Campus
Lebanon Valley College earned the #20 position for visual & performing arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Annville. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Lebanon Valley College in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Lebanon Valley College earn a median of $49,383 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,846 to complete this degree.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Lebanon Valley College
Susquehanna University earned the #21 position for visual & performing arts this year. Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Selinsgrove. About 82% of students finish within six years. Susquehanna University awarded about 32 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Susquehanna University generally make around $33,783. Susquehanna University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Susquehanna University
Muhlenberg College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Allentown. Muhlenberg College graduates 82% of students within six years. About 96 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Muhlenberg College in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Muhlenberg College earn a median of $17,233 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Juniata College landed the #23 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Juniata College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Huntingdon. Juniata College graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Juniata College in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Juniata College earn a median of $30,552 early in their careers. Juniata College graduates carry a median of $26,976 in student loans.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Juniata College
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania came in at #24 for visual & performing arts this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 184 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $25,884 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary came in at #25 for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earn a median of $26,472 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong visual & performing arts education:
More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 59 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.
