2026 Best Value General Visual Performing Arts Schools
Looking for the best-value General Visual Performing Arts programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 561 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Grad Degree evaluated schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value General Visual Performing Arts Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. Missouri State University Springfield is a public school based in Springfield, MO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Missouri State University Springfield report
Texas Tech University came in at #2 on this year's best-value General Visual Performing Arts ranking in the United States. Located in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical General Visual Performing Arts student debt is $24,271. Texas Tech University alumni report median earnings of $62,454 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. Texas Tech University has an acceptance rate of 73%. See the full Texas Tech University profile
Out of the 561 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Regent University landed the #3 spot. Set in Virginia Beach, VA, Regent University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Regent University alumni report median earnings of $44,498 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Regent University
Out of the 561 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, The University Of Montana landed the #4 spot. The University Of Montana is a public school based in Missoula, MT. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. The median General Visual Performing Arts program debt is $24,342. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,511 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,342 median debt. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants. See the full The University Of Montana profile
A rank of #5 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values in the United States. University Of Central Florida is a public school based in Orlando, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. University Of Central Florida General Visual Performing Arts students take on a median of $24,250 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $58,308. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%. Read the full report on University Of Central Florida
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Based in Athens, OH, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete their General Visual Performing Arts program here. Median earnings reach $52,581 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants. Read the full report on Ohio University Main Campus
University Of Iowa placed #7 among the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. University Of Iowa is a public school based in Iowa City, IA. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. University Of Iowa General Visual Performing Arts students take on a median of $24,463 in debt. Median earnings reach $64,762 ten years out. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants. See the full University Of Iowa profile
Cuny Brooklyn College landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Brooklyn, NY, Cuny Brooklyn College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Cuny Brooklyn College alumni report median earnings of $60,752 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College has an acceptance rate of 58%. Read the full report on Cuny Brooklyn College
University Of Florida came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. University Of Florida General Visual Performing Arts students take on a median of $17,983 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $71,588. Set against $17,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Florida
California State University Los Angeles ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools. This public school is set in Los Angeles, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,211 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%. Get the full California State University Los Angeles report
University Of California San Diego placed #11 among the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. Set in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical General Visual Performing Arts student debt is $15,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $84,943 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants. Read more about University Of California San Diego
Iowa State University landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Iowa State University General Visual Performing Arts students take on a median of $23,495 in debt. Median earnings reach $63,386 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,495 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants. Get the full Iowa State University report
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #13 among the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Richardson, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Typical General Visual Performing Arts student debt is $21,196. The University Of Texas At Dallas alumni report median earnings of $68,227 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Dallas
Suny College At Brockport landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. Suny College At Brockport is a public school based in Brockport, NY. Students from in state pay about $8,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Suny College At Brockport General Visual Performing Arts students take on a median of $24,757 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,496 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,757 median debt. About 71% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Suny College At Brockport
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Indianapolis, IN, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete their General Visual Performing Arts program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,198 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted. More on Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
West Virginia University came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Set in Morgantown, WV, West Virginia University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. West Virginia University General Visual Performing Arts students take on a median of $23,772 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,939. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 89% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about West Virginia University
Cuny City College came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Based in New York, NY, Cuny City College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. The median General Visual Performing Arts program debt is $13,389. Median earnings reach $66,039 ten years out. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College has an acceptance rate of 60%. Read more about Cuny City College
University Of California Riverside ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools. University Of California Riverside is a public school based in Riverside, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Typical General Visual Performing Arts student debt is $19,187. University Of California Riverside alumni report median earnings of $67,699 a decade after entry. Set against $19,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 76% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of California Riverside
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,078. Typical General Visual Performing Arts student debt is $24,975. Median earnings reach $102,051 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%. More on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Syracuse University came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Syracuse, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. The median General Visual Performing Arts program debt is $26,130. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $79,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Syracuse University
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit school based in Pittsburgh, PA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. The median General Visual Performing Arts program debt is $23,529. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $114,862. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants. Read more about Carnegie Mellon University
George Mason University offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,620 to complete their General Visual Performing Arts program here. George Mason University alumni report median earnings of $76,343 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. More on George Mason University
Minneapolis College Of Art And Design ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools. Located in Minneapolis, MN, Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,484. Typical General Visual Performing Arts student debt is $27,812. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,873. Set against $27,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minneapolis College Of Art And Design has an acceptance rate of 48%. Get the full Minneapolis College Of Art And Design report
College Of Charleston came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Set in Charleston, SC, College Of Charleston is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,978, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Students borrow a median of $24,733 to complete their General Visual Performing Arts program here. Median earnings reach $56,416 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 60% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about College Of Charleston
Academy Of Art University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools. Located in San Francisco, CA, Academy Of Art University is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,736 in tuition and fees. Typical General Visual Performing Arts student debt is $31,000. Median earnings reach $39,008 ten years out. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Academy Of Art University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value General Visual Performing Arts Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
University At Buffalo offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. University At Buffalo is a public school based in Buffalo, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $70,814 ten years after entry. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%. Read more about University At Buffalo
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Typical General Visual Performing Arts student debt is $23,258. Columbia University In The City Of New York alumni report median earnings of $102,491 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report
Yale University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools. Based in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Yale University General Visual Performing Arts students take on a median of $14,357 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $100,533. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 4% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Yale University
Suny At Purchase College landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Purchase, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $9,016, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,092. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Purchase College has an acceptance rate of 74%. Read the full report on Suny At Purchase College
Columbus College Of Art And Design placed #30 among the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. Based in Columbus, OH, Columbus College Of Art And Design is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,825 in tuition and fees. Typical General Visual Performing Arts student debt is $27,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,664. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbus College Of Art And Design has an acceptance rate of 68%. See the full Columbus College Of Art And Design profile
University Of Southern California came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. Typical General Visual Performing Arts student debt is $15,625. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $92,498. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 10% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Southern California
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $54,623. School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago General Visual Performing Arts students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,151. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted. See the full School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago profile
Chattanooga State Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. See the full Chattanooga State Community College profile
Georgian Court University placed #34 among the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. See the full Georgian Court University profile
Millsaps College
Millsaps College offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Get the full Millsaps College report
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona report
Barnard College
Barnard College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools. Get the full Barnard College report
Suffolk County Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Read the full report on Suffolk County Community College
Albright College
Albright College offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Read more about Albright College
Arizona State University placed #40 among the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. Read the full report on Arizona State University
Clark State Community College landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Clark State Community College profile
College Of Mount Saint Vincent offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Get the full College Of Mount Saint Vincent report
Eastern Washington University ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools. Read more about Eastern Washington University
Grossmont College came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Grossmont College report
Riverside City College landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Riverside City College
Ulster County Community College placed #46 among the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. See the full Ulster County Community College profile
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave
Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Cheyney University Of Pennsylvania
Cuny Bronx Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. See the full Cuny Bronx Community College profile
Mott Community College landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Mott Community College report
Best Value General Visual Performing Arts Schools by Degree Level
Explore value rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Value General Visual Performing Arts Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value General Visual Performing Arts Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value General Visual Performing Arts Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value General Visual Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value General Visual Performing Arts Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value General Visual Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value General Visual Performing Arts Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 561 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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