Visual & Performing Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best visual & performing arts schools.
What’s on this page:
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the visual & performing arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked West Virginia University the best school in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 293 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at West Virginia University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $28,148. Typical student debt for the program is $23,908.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for West Virginia University
Students looking for a strong visual & performing arts program will find one at Shepherd University, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. About 28 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Shepherd University in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $33,059 in their early career. Shepherd University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Shepherd University
Marshall University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #3 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of Huntington. Marshall University graduates 51% of students within six years. There were roughly 63 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Marshall University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Marshall University earn around $24,475 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,367.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Marshall University
West Liberty University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts, ranking #4. Set in the rural area of West Liberty, West Liberty University is a mid-sized public institution. West Liberty University graduates 56% of students within six years. About 17 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at West Liberty University in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of West Liberty University earn a median of $48,761 early in their careers. West Liberty University graduates carry a median of $27,144 in student loans.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from West Liberty University
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 14 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.
