Visual & Performing Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2027 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 Drake University the best school in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 40 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Drake University in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Drake University earn around $19,613 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,273.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Drake University
A rank of #2 makes Iowa State University one of the top schools for visual & performing arts. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 230 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University 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.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Iowa State University
Students looking for a strong visual & performing arts program will find one at Luther College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. Luther College graduates 71% of students within six years. About 53 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Luther College in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Luther College earn a median of $45,367 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Luther College
Kirkwood Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts, ranking #4. This large public university is located in the city of Cedar Rapids. There were roughly 72 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Kirkwood Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Kirkwood Community College earn around $32,116 in the first couple years of their career. 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
A rank of #5 makes University Of Iowa one of the top schools for visual & performing arts. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Iowa awarded about 348 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $34,992. Students borrow a median of $27,174 to complete this degree.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at University Of Iowa
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #6 position for visual & performing arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Cedar Falls. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 79 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $30,493 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,025 to complete this degree.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for University Of Northern Iowa
Cornell College came in at #7 for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 20 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Cornell College in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Cornell College earn a median of $35,545 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Cornell College
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. About 140 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $25,265 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,625 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Des Moines Area Community College
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #9 for visual & performing arts this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 10 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Western Iowa Tech Community College in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $35,742 early in their careers. Western Iowa Tech Community College graduates carry a median of $11,886 in student loans.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Western Iowa Tech Community College
Iowa Central Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. Iowa Central Community College awarded about 19 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,624. Iowa Central Community College graduates carry a median of $16,135 in student loans.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Iowa Central Community College
Hawkeye Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Hawkeye Community College awarded about 23 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Hawkeye Community College earn around $41,902 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,001.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Hawkeye Community College
Maharishi University Of Management placed #12 among the best visual & performing arts schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Fairfield. Maharishi University Of Management graduates 50% of students within six years. Maharishi University Of Management awarded about 27 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Maharishi University Of Management earn a median of $32,294 early in their careers.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Maharishi University Of Management
Upper Iowa University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Fayette. About 33% of students finish within six years. Upper Iowa University awarded about 12 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Upper Iowa University earn around $31,122 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $39,780 to complete this degree.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Upper Iowa University
More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 13 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.
