2026 Best Value General Visual Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value General Visual Performing Arts master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 561 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect 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 reviewed 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat Missouri State University Springfield this year in the United States. Located in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,827 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Missouri State University Springfield
You'll get strong value at Regent University, which ranked #2 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Virginia Beach, VA. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,650. Regent University General Visual Performing Arts students take on a median of $29,451 in debt. Median earnings reach $44,498 ten years out. Set against $29,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Regent University
You'll get strong value at The University Of Montana, which ranked #3 this year. Located in Missoula, MT, The University Of Montana is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,342 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,511 ten years after entry. Set against $24,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 96% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about The University Of Montana
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #4 place in the United States. University Of Central Florida is a public school based in Orlando, FL. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, 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. University Of Central Florida alumni report median earnings of $58,308 a decade after entry. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 40% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Central Florida profile
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #5 on this year's best-value General Visual Performing Arts ranking in the United States. Set in Brooklyn, NY, Cuny Brooklyn College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Cuny Brooklyn College General Visual Performing Arts students take on a median of $13,303 in debt. Median earnings reach $60,752 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%. Read the full report on Cuny Brooklyn College
University Of Florida ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Graduates carry a median of $17,983 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $71,588. Set against $17,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants. Read more about University Of Florida
California State University Los Angeles landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. California State University Los Angeles is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete their General Visual Performing Arts program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,211. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants. More on California State University Los Angeles
University Of California San Diego ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools. Based in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. The median General Visual Performing Arts program debt is $15,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $84,943. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%. Read more about University Of California San Diego
Iowa State University came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Set in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical General Visual Performing Arts student debt is $23,495. Iowa State University alumni report median earnings of $63,386 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,495 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants. See the full Iowa State University profile
Suny College At Brockport placed #10 among the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Brockport, NY. Students from in state pay about $8,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. The median General Visual Performing Arts program debt is $24,757. Median earnings reach $54,496 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 71% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Suny College At Brockport
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Richardson, TX, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Graduates carry a median of $21,196 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,227 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,196 median debt. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants. More on The University Of Texas At Dallas
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Located in Indianapolis, IN, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. The median General Visual Performing Arts program debt is $23,146. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $55,198. That is a strong return on a $23,146 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants. See the full Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis profile
West Virginia University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools. Located 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,939 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on West Virginia University
Cuny City College landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in New York, NY, Cuny City College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Cuny City College General Visual Performing Arts students take on a median of $13,389 in debt. Cuny City College alumni report median earnings of $66,039 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted. More on Cuny City College
University Of California Riverside placed #15 among the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Riverside, CA. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. University Of California Riverside General Visual Performing Arts students take on a median of $19,187 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants. More on University Of California Riverside
Syracuse University came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit school based in Syracuse, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete their General Visual Performing Arts program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $79,164. That is a strong return on a $26,130 median debt. Syracuse University has an acceptance rate of 46%. Get the full Syracuse University report
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Median earnings reach $114,862 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carnegie Mellon University has an acceptance rate of 12%. Get the full Carnegie Mellon University report
George Mason University offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Based in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical General Visual Performing Arts student debt is $25,620. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $76,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants. See the full George Mason University profile
Minneapolis College Of Art And Design ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools. Set in Minneapolis, MN, Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,484 in tuition and fees. Typical General Visual Performing Arts student debt is $27,812. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minneapolis College Of Art And Design has an acceptance rate of 48%. See the full Minneapolis College Of Art And Design profile
College Of Charleston came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Charleston, SC. In-state tuition and fees average $12,978, while out-of-state students pay about $38,296. Students borrow a median of $24,733 to complete their General Visual Performing Arts program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,416 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,733 median debt. About 60% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about College Of Charleston
Academy Of Art University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Located in San Francisco, CA, Academy Of Art University is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,736. Graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $39,008. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Get the full Academy Of Art University report
University At Buffalo landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Buffalo, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical General Visual Performing Arts student debt is $22,232. University At Buffalo alumni report median earnings of $70,814 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants. More on University At Buffalo
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Located in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. The median General Visual Performing Arts program debt is $23,258. Median earnings reach $102,491 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York has an acceptance rate of 4%. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York
Yale University landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,250. The median General Visual Performing Arts program debt is $14,357. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $100,533. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Yale University has an acceptance rate of 4%. Get the full Yale University report
Suny At Purchase College landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Purchase, NY, Suny At Purchase College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,016, compared with $19,266 for out-of-state students. Typical General Visual Performing Arts student debt is $27,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,092. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 74% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Suny At Purchase College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value General Visual Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
University Of Southern California placed #26 among the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Median earnings reach $92,498 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. About 10% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Southern California profile
Columbus College Of Art And Design placed #26 among the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. Set in Columbus, OH, Columbus College Of Art And Design is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,825. Columbus College Of Art And Design General Visual Performing Arts students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,664. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted. More on Columbus College Of Art And Design
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools. Set in Chicago, IL, School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,623. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their General Visual Performing Arts program here. 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. Get the full School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago report
Carroll College
Carroll College offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. More on Carroll College
Chabot College
Chabot College offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Read more about Chabot College
National Park Community College placed #31 among the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. Read the full report on National Park Community College
Genesee Community College landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Genesee Community College profile
Texas A And M University Kingsville offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. More on Texas A And M University Kingsville
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts report
Folsom Lake College came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Folsom Lake College
Los Angeles Valley College came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Los Angeles Valley College
Mountain Empire Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Read the full report on Mountain Empire Community College
Norfolk State University landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Norfolk State University report
San Jose City College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools. Read the full report on San Jose City College
Citrus College
Citrus College ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools. More on Citrus College
Hudson Valley Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. More on Hudson Valley Community College
Ohio University Zanesville Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. More on Ohio University Zanesville Campus
Suny Westchester Community College landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Suny Westchester Community College profile
Long Island University C W Post Campus placed #44 among the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. More on Long Island University C W Post Campus
Andrews University placed #45 among the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. Read the full report on Andrews University
Greenville College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools. See the full Greenville College profile
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global placed #47 among the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. See the full Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global profile
Louisiana State University Shreveport ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools. Read more about Louisiana State University Shreveport
North Idaho College placed #49 among the best-value General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. More on North Idaho College
Ohio University Lancaster Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. See the full Ohio University Lancaster Campus profile
Related General Visual Performing Arts Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value General Visual Performing Arts Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled 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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