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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools to find the best for visual & performing arts students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall visual & performing arts education in Rhode Island.
Brown University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in visual & performing arts. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 80 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Brown University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $23,180. Brown University graduates carry a median of $17,300 in student loans.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Brown University
Students looking for a strong visual & performing arts program will find one at University Of Rhode Island, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kingston. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 109 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $21,899. University Of Rhode Island graduates carry a median of $20,955 in student loans.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University Of Rhode Island
Roger Williams University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Bristol, Roger Williams University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roger Williams University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Roger Williams University in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Roger Williams University earn a median of $48,664 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,445.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Roger Williams University
Rhode Island School Of Design is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts, ranking #4. Set in the city of Providence, Rhode Island School Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Rhode Island School Of Design graduates 89% of students within six years. Rhode Island School Of Design awarded about 329 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Rhode Island School Of Design earn a median of $24,307 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Rhode Island School Of Design
New England Institute Of Technology is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of East Greenwich, New England Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. New England Institute Of Technology awarded about 69 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $26,833 in their early career. New England Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $27,128 in student loans.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from New England Institute Of Technology
Rhode Island College landed the #6 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Rhode Island College graduates 48% of students within six years. About 55 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Rhode Island College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $28,514. Students borrow a median of $19,038 to complete this degree.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Rhode Island College
Community College Of Rhode Island came in at #7 for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. Community College Of Rhode Island awarded about 54 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $18,544 in their early career. Community College Of Rhode Island graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Community College Of Rhode Island
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 12 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.
