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 93 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best visual & performing arts schools.
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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.
No school ranked higher than Carleton College this year for visual & performing arts. Set in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Carleton College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Carleton College earn around $45,096 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,566.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Carleton College
Washington University In St Louis is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 155 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $33,615 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,089.
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University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 207 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $32,017 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $24,854 in student loans.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University Of Missouri Columbia
A rank of #4 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the top schools for visual & performing arts. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 403 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $29,637 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,837 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
A rank of #5 makes College Of Saint Benedict one of the top schools for visual & performing arts. Located in the suburb of Saint Joseph, College Of Saint Benedict is a small private not-for-profit university. College Of Saint Benedict graduates 77% of students within six years. About 14 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at College Of Saint Benedict in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from College Of Saint Benedict earn around $47,105 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,619 to complete this degree.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for College Of Saint Benedict
Drake University earned the #6 position for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. About 40 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Drake University in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $19,613 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete this degree.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Drake University
Augustana College South Dakota came in at #7 for visual & performing arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Sioux Falls. About 73% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Augustana College South Dakota in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $50,088 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,217.
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University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #8 among the best visual & performing arts schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 42 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn around $65,183 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,923.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University Of St Thomas Minnesota
St Olaf College came in at #9 for visual & performing arts this year. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. St Olaf College graduates 84% of students within six years. St Olaf College awarded about 52 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from St Olaf College earn around $25,595 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,540 to complete this degree.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for St Olaf College
Gustavus Adolphus College landed the #10 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. About 77% of students finish within six years. Gustavus Adolphus College awarded about 43 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Gustavus Adolphus College earn around $28,601 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,197.
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Macalester College placed #11 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. About 87% of students finish within six years. Macalester College awarded about 21 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $42,517 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,147 to complete this degree.
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University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #12 position for visual & performing arts this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 224 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $40,748 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,460.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at University Of Nebraska Lincoln
University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #13 among the best visual & performing arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Kearney. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 57 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska At Kearney in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $47,980. Students borrow a median of $16,101 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University Of Nebraska At Kearney
Fort Hays State University placed #14 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Fort Hays State University awarded about 55 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $31,909 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,937 to complete this degree.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Fort Hays State University
Winona State University placed #15 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Winona State University in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $53,109 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,551.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Winona State University
Iowa State University came in at #16 for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Iowa State University awarded about 230 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $36,634 early in their careers. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Iowa State University
Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #17 for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Maryville University Of Saint Louis awarded about 51 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $39,623 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,621 to complete this degree.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Maryville University Of Saint Louis
Alexandria Technical And Community College came in at #18 for visual & performing arts this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Alexandria. About 28 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Alexandria Technical And Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Alexandria Technical And Community College generally make around $31,830. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
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Johnson County Community College placed #19 among the best visual & performing arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Overland Park. There were roughly 101 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Johnson County Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $32,030. Students borrow a median of $13,625 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Johnson County Community College
Luther College placed #20 among the best visual & performing arts schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Decorah. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. Luther College awarded about 53 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $45,367 in their early career. Luther College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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South Dakota State University placed #21 among the best visual & performing arts schools. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. South Dakota State University awarded about 74 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $35,944 early in their careers. South Dakota State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from South Dakota State University
Kansas State University came in at #22 for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. About 103 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Kansas State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $32,053. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Kirkwood Community College landed the #23 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Kirkwood Community College awarded about 72 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $32,116. Kirkwood Community College graduates carry a median of $10,519 in student loans.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Kirkwood Community College
Dakota County Technical College landed the #24 spot for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Dakota County Technical College awarded about 43 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $50,429 in their early career. Dakota County Technical College graduates carry a median of $13,474 in student loans.
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University Of Iowa placed #25 among the best visual & performing arts schools. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 348 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from University Of Iowa earn around $34,992 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,174 to complete this degree.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for University Of Iowa
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong visual & performing arts education:
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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 · 93 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.
