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2027 Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Massachusetts

45 Colleges in the United States
5,337 Visual & Performing Arts Degrees Awarded
$38,447 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

College Factual analyzed 45 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best visual & performing arts schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Visual & Performing Arts in Massachusetts

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall visual & performing arts education in Massachusetts.

Top Schools in Visual & Performing Arts

1
Wellesley College crest
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College tops our 2027 ranking of the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Wellesley College in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $48,902 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,075. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Wellesley College

2
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. About 25 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Boston College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $66,132. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Boston College

3

Worcester Polytechnic Institute came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Worcester Polytechnic Institute generally make around $91,834. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Worcester Polytechnic Institute

4
Williams College crest
Williams College
Williamstown, MA

Williams College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Williams College graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 64 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Williams College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $34,560. Typical student debt for the program is $11,850. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Williams College

5
Amherst College crest
Amherst College
Amherst, MA

Amherst College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Amherst College graduates 94% of students within six years. About 26 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Amherst College in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Amherst College earn around $59,271 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,398 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Amherst College

6

Brandeis University landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 48 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Brandeis University in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $47,783 in their early career. Brandeis University graduates carry a median of $25,653 in student loans. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Brandeis University

7
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University placed #7 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. About 147 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Harvard University in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $115,516 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Harvard University

8
Emerson College crest
Emerson College
Boston, MA

Emerson College came in at #8 for visual & performing arts this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Emerson College graduates 77% of students within six years. Emerson College awarded about 616 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Emerson College generally make around $28,400. Typical student debt for the program is $24,872. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Emerson College

9
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University landed the #9 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 418 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Boston University earn around $31,230 in the first couple years of their career. Boston University graduates carry a median of $26,127 in student loans. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Boston University

10

Northeastern University came in at #10 for visual & performing arts this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northeastern University awarded about 169 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $30,870. Northeastern University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Northeastern University

11

Wentworth Institute Of Technology ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Wentworth Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Wentworth Institute Of Technology graduates 68% of students within six years. Wentworth Institute Of Technology awarded about 51 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Wentworth Institute Of Technology earn a median of $50,599 early in their careers. Wentworth Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Wentworth Institute Of Technology

12

University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #12 spot for visual & performing arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Lowell. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 94 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Lowell in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn around $36,317 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,283 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report for University Of Massachusetts Lowell

13

Bridgewater State University earned the #13 position for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 57 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Bridgewater State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Bridgewater State University earn around $29,595 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 Bridgewater State University

14

University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #14 position for visual & performing arts this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 209 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $26,359. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University Of Massachusetts Amherst

15
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University earned the #15 position for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. Tufts University awarded about 192 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $26,543 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Tufts University

16

Middlesex Community College Bedford earned the #16 position for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. About 26 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Middlesex Community College Bedford in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $48,427. Typical student debt for the program is $12,755. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Middlesex Community College Bedford

17

Longy School Of Music Of Bard College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Longy School Of Music Of Bard College is a small private not-for-profit university. Longy School Of Music Of Bard College awarded about 104 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Longy School Of Music Of Bard College generally make around $30,660. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Longy School Of Music Of Bard College

18
Smith College crest
Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College placed #18 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Smith College graduates 89% of students within six years. Smith College awarded about 55 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Smith College earn around $20,171 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Smith College

19

Wheaton College Massachusetts landed the #19 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Norton. About 73% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 53 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Massachusetts in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Wheaton College Massachusetts earn a median of $28,564 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Wheaton College Massachusetts

20
Mount Holyoke College crest
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA

Mount Holyoke College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of South Hadley. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 63 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Mount Holyoke College in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $18,420 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Mount Holyoke College

21

Suffolk University landed the #21 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 55 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Suffolk University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Suffolk University generally make around $39,514. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Suffolk University

22

Massachusetts College Of Art And Design ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design awarded about 350 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Massachusetts College Of Art And Design earn a median of $30,546 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,807. See the full visual & performing arts program report for Massachusetts College Of Art And Design

23
Lesley University crest
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA

Lesley University landed the #23 spot for visual & performing arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 118 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Lesley University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $35,902 in their early career. Lesley University graduates carry a median of $25,588 in student loans. Get the full visual & performing arts details for Lesley University

24

University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #24 among the best visual & performing arts schools. This large public university is located in the city of Boston. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Massachusetts Boston awarded about 33 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from University Of Massachusetts Boston earn around $36,980 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the visual & performing arts program at University Of Massachusetts Boston

25

Emmanuel College Massachusetts came in at #25 for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Boston, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Emmanuel College Massachusetts in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Emmanuel College Massachusetts earn around $32,413 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 Emmanuel College Massachusetts

Rest of the Top 45 Visual & Performing Arts Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong visual & performing arts education:

26
27
Clark University crest
Clark University
Worcester, MA
28
29
30
31
Assumption College crest
Assumption College
Worcester, MA
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Hampshire College crest
Hampshire College
Amherst, MA
39
40
Lasell College crest
Lasell College
Newton, MA
41
Dean College crest
Dean College
Franklin, MA
42
43
44
45

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 · 45 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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