Visual & Performing Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 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.
Leading the list is Fort Hays State University, our #1 school for visual & performing arts. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. About 46% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Fort Hays State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual & performing arts degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $31,909. Fort Hays State University graduates carry a median of $22,937 in student loans.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Fort Hays State University
A rank of #2 makes Johnson County Community College one of the top schools for visual & performing arts. This very large public university is located in the city of Overland Park. There were roughly 123 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Johnson County Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $32,030 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,625.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Johnson County Community College
Kansas State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Manhattan. About 71% of students finish within six years. Kansas State University awarded about 85 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Kansas State University earn around $31,602 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Kansas State University
Washburn University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washburn University awarded about 20 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Washburn University earn around $50,955 in the first couple years of their career. Washburn University graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Washburn University
Pittsburg State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Pittsburg. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. There were roughly 32 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Pittsburg State University in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $50,003 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,669.
Get the full visual & performing arts details for Pittsburg State University
University Of Kansas placed #6 among the best visual & performing arts schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 276 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $30,490 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,802 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from University Of Kansas
Wichita State University placed #7 among the best visual & performing arts schools. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. There were roughly 197 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Wichita State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $29,580 in their early career. Wichita State University graduates carry a median of $27,310 in student loans.
Read more about the visual & performing arts program at Wichita State University
Washburn Institute Of Technology landed the #8 spot for visual & performing arts this year. This small public university is located in the city of Topeka. Washburn Institute Of Technology awarded about 16 visual & performing arts degrees in the most recent data year. Visual & Performing Arts graduates of Washburn Institute Of Technology earn a median of $39,749 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,362 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Washburn Institute Of Technology
Butler Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best visual & performing arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of El Dorado. There were roughly 15 visual & performing arts students who graduated with this degree at Butler Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual & performing arts program make about $39,404 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,670 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in visual & performing arts from Butler Community College
Emporia State University came in at #10 for visual & performing arts this year. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 34 visual & performing arts degrees were awarded at Emporia State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual & performing arts degree from Emporia State University earn around $19,276 in the first couple years of their career. Emporia State University graduates carry a median of $25,129 in student loans.
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), 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 · 33 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.
