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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 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 Kansas.
Our analysis ranked Fort Hays State University the best school in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Fort Hays State University awarded about 55 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Fort Hays State University earn around $31,909 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,937 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Fort Hays State University
Johnson County Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. Johnson County Community College awarded about 101 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Johnson County Community College earn around $32,030 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,625.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Johnson County Community College
Kansas State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Manhattan. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 103 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $32,053 in their early career. Kansas State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Kansas State University
University Of Kansas is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in visual & performing arts, ranking #4. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. About 302 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from University Of Kansas earn around $30,912 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,802 to complete this degree.
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Pittsburg State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in visual & performing arts, landing the #5 spot this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Pittsburg. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Pittsburg State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Pittsburg State University earn around $50,003 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,669.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Pittsburg State University
Benedictine College placed #6 among the best visual & performing arts schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Atchison. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 25 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Benedictine College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Benedictine College earn around $46,255 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete this degree.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Benedictine College
Wichita State University earned the #7 position for visual & performing arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Wichita. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wichita State University awarded about 227 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Wichita State University earn around $28,926 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,310.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Wichita State University
Butler Community College placed #8 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 14 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Butler Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Butler Community College earn around $39,404 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,670 to complete this degree.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Butler Community College
Wichita Area Technical College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita. Wichita Area Technical College awarded about 19 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $35,358 in their early career. Wichita Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $11,828 in student loans.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Wichita Area Technical College
Washburn University came in at #10 for visual & performing arts this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. About 26 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Washburn University in the most recent year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. Washburn University graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans.
See the full visual & performing arts program report for Washburn University
Emporia State University placed #11 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Emporia State University graduates 56% of students within six years. Emporia State University awarded about 32 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $19,276 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,129.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Emporia State University
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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 · 11 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.
