2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools
Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices
Finding the Best Visual & Performing Arts School for You
In 2020-2021, 18,379 people earned a degree or certificate in visual and performing arts, making the major the #11 most popular in the United States.
With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Grad Degree Search has created its Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 394 schools in the United States to see which programs offered the best value experiences for visual and performing arts students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the United States
The colleges and universities below are the best value schools for visual and performing arts majors pursuing a .
Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality in Visual & Performing Arts
Our 2023 rankings named Columbia College Chicago the best value school in the United States for visual and performing arts students. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.
Columbia undergraduate students pay an average of $27,786 in tuition and fees each year.
Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Columbia College Chicago
The excellent programs at West Texas A&M University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best visual and performing arts schools in the United States. Located in the fringe town of Canyon, West Texas A&M University is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at West Texas A&M University are $11,208 a year.
Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at West Texas A&M University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Messiah University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools list. Located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
Messiah undergraduate students pay an average of $38,370 in tuition and fees each year.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools list. UPR Rio Piedras is a large public school located in the large city of San Juan.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UPR Rio Piedras are $4,940 per year.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Truman State University is a great value for visual and performing arts students. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State is a public college with a small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Truman State are $16,410 a year.
Full Visual & Performing Arts at Truman State University Report
Goucher College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value visual and performing arts programs. Located in the small city of Baltimore, Goucher is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
Goucher undergraduate students pay an average of $48,200 in tuition and fees each year.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Goucher also is in the top 20% of our Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools ranking.
North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value visual and performing arts programs. North Dakota State University is a large public school located in the medium-sized city of Fargo.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at North Dakota State University are $14,876 a year.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, North Dakota State University also did well on our Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Youngstown State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools list. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a public school with a large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Youngstown State University are $9,732 a year.
Full Visual & Performing Arts at Youngstown State University Report
Hood College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value visual and performing arts programs. Hood is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Frederick.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Hood are $43,140 a year.
Hood excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools list.
Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Hood College
Brigham Young University - Provo ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools list. Located in the midsize city of Provo, BYU is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.
BYU undergraduate students pay an average of $6,120 in tuition and fees each year.
In addition to its great value ranking, BYU is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools list.
Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Brigham Young University - Provo
University of Nebraska at Kearney ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools list. UNK is a medium-sized public school located in the distant town of Kearney.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UNK are $15,320 a year.
In addition to its great value ranking, UNK is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools list.
Full Visual & Performing Arts at University of Nebraska at Kearney Report
Lindenwood University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools list. Located in the small city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Lindenwood University are $18,640 per year.
Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Lindenwood University
Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for visual and performing arts students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the small city of Mankato, Minnesota State Mankato is a public school with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Minnesota State Mankato are $18,200 per year.
In addition to its great value ranking, Minnesota State Mankato is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools list.
Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Minnesota State University - Mankato
Ferris State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for visual and performing arts students. It came in at #14 on the list. Ferris is a large public school located in the distant town of Big Rapids.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Ferris are $13,188 a year.
Full Visual & Performing Arts at Ferris State University Report
With a ranking of #15, Atlantic University College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for visual and performing arts students. Atlantic University College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Guaynabo.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Atlantic University College are $6,510 a year.
Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Atlantic University College
Texas A&M University - Kingsville ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools list. Texas A&M Kingsville is a medium-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville.
Texas A&M Kingsville undergraduate students pay an average of $25,746 in tuition and fees each year.
Mount Saint Mary’s University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools list. MSMU is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at MSMU are $45,388 a year.
MSMU also claimed a spot on our Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Stephens College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for visual and performing arts students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Columbia, Stephens is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Stephens are $24,570 a year.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Stephens also is in the top 15% of our Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools ranking.
Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Stephens College
University of South Dakota ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools list. USD is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Vermillion.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at USD are $12,942 per year.
Full Visual & Performing Arts at University of South Dakota Report
With a ranking of #20, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on this year’s best value schools for visual and performing arts students. SIUE is a large public school located in the large suburb of Edwardsville.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at SIUE are $11,496 a year.
Full Visual & Performing Arts at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Report
Sam Houston State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for visual and performing arts students. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in the town of Huntsville, SHSU is a public college with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at SHSU are $18,752 a year.
York College of Pennsylvania landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value visual and performing arts programs. Located in the midsize suburb of York, YCP is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
YCP undergraduate students pay an average of $22,350 in tuition and fees each year.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, YCP also did well on our Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at York College of Pennsylvania
Texas A&M University - Commerce came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools ranking. Texas A&M Commerce is a fairly large public school located in the town of Commerce.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Texas A&M Commerce are $22,266 per year.
The Graduate Center, CUNY came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools ranking. Located in the city of New York, The Graduate Center is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at The Graduate Center are $15,360 a year.
The Graduate Center excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools list.
Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at The Graduate Center, CUNY
National University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value visual and performing arts programs. National University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of La Jolla.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at National University are $13,320 per year.
Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at National University
Rest of the Top Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools
Remaining Award Winners
This section represents the remainder of the colleges awarded a Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 394 different United States visual and performing arts schools we analyzed.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Arizona State University - Skysong | Scottsdale, AZ |
| 52 | Kansas State University | Manhattan, KS |
| 53 | Mississippi College | Clinton, MS |
| 54 | Valparaiso University | Valparaiso, IN |
| 55 | Texas Tech University | Lubbock, TX |
| 56 | University of Wyoming | Laramie, WY |
| 57 | Illinois Institute of Technology | Chicago, IL |
| 57 | San Jose State University | San Jose, CA |
| 59 | Fairleigh Dickinson University - Florham Campus | Madison, NJ |
| 59 | University of Delaware | Newark, DE |
Additional Noteworthy Schools
Here are some additional great value schools for Visual & Performing Arts graduate students seeking value that almost earned our Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 61 | Regent University | Virginia Beach, VA |
| 62 | Millersville University of Pennsylvania | Millersville, PA |
| 62 | Stephen F Austin State University | Nacogdoches, TX |
| 64 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | Omaha, NE |
| 65 | The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga | Chattanooga, TN |
| 66 | Towson University | Towson, MD |
| 67 | Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond, KY |
| 68 | Webster University | Saint Louis, MO |
| 69 | University of Akron Main Campus | Akron, OH |
| 70 | Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles, CA |
| 71 | The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX |
| 71 | Edinboro University of Pennsylvania | Edinboro, PA |
| 73 | Oklahoma City University | Oklahoma City, OK |
| 74 | University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls, IA |
| 75 | Rowan University | Glassboro, NJ |
| 76 | Wagner College | Staten Island, NY |
| 77 | Lee University | Cleveland, TN |
| 78 | Universidad del Turabo | Gurabo, PR |
Visual & Performing Arts by Region
View the Best Value Visual & Performing Arts Schools for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings
Visual & Performing Arts Related Majors for Visual & Performing Arts
Visual & Performing Arts Majors to Study
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Music | 7,675 |
| Fine & Studio Arts | 3,224 |
| Design & Applied Arts | 1,979 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | 1,704 |
| Drama & Theater Arts | 1,699 |
| Arts & Media Management | 1,184 |
| General Visual & Performing Arts | 390 |
| Dance | 257 |
| Other Visual Art | 254 |
| Crafts, Folk Art & Artisanry | 13 |
Most Popular Related Majors
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Theology & Religious Vocations | 17,287 |
| English Language & Literature | 9,566 |
| Foreign Languages & Linguistics | 4,163 |
| Philosophy & Religious Studies | 3,136 |
| Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities | 2,680 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- 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 the rest 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Bonnielou2013.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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