2026 Best General Visual Performing Arts Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best General Visual Performing Arts associate’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 561 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 General Visual Performing Arts Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Austin Community College District tops our 2026 ranking of the best General Visual Performing Arts associate's degree schools in the United States. This public school is set in Austin, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Austin Community College District General Visual Performing Arts students take on a median of $10,000 in debt. See the full Austin Community College District profile
You'll be in good company at Northern Virginia Community College, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Annandale, VA, Northern Virginia Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. The median General Visual Performing Arts program debt is $14,413. Read the full report on Northern Virginia Community College
A rank of #4 makes Full Sail University one of the top choices in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Winter Park, FL. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $26,906. Students borrow a median of $25,833 to complete their General Visual Performing Arts program here. See the full Full Sail University profile
A rank of #5 makes Academy Of Art University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in San Francisco, CA, Academy Of Art University is a private for-profit institution. Academy Of Art University graduates 34% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $30,736. The median General Visual Performing Arts program debt is $31,000. More on Academy Of Art University
University Of Advancing Technology came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Based in Tempe, AZ, University Of Advancing Technology is a private for-profit institution. University Of Advancing Technology graduates 27% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,800. University Of Advancing Technology General Visual Performing Arts students take on a median of $29,750 in debt. Read more about University Of Advancing Technology
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a public school based in Okmulgee, OK. In-state tuition and fees average $5,774, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Typical General Visual Performing Arts student debt is $13,356. Get the full Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee report
Salt Lake Community College came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in Salt Lake City, UT, Salt Lake Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Salt Lake Community College General Visual Performing Arts students take on a median of $10,855 in debt. See the full Salt Lake Community College profile
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #9 among General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a public school based in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Typical General Visual Performing Arts student debt is $11,000. See the full Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College profile
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Located in Bayside, NY, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Read the full report on Cuny Queensborough Community College
Pima Community College landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Located in Tucson, AZ, Pima Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. The median General Visual Performing Arts program debt is $9,541. See the full Pima Community College profile
Suffolk County Community College landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Set in Selden, NY, Suffolk County Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete their General Visual Performing Arts program here. Get the full Suffolk County Community College report
Cuny Kingsborough Community College did well this year, earning the #13 position. This public school is set in Brooklyn, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. The median General Visual Performing Arts program debt is $7,858. Get the full Cuny Kingsborough Community College report
Dutchess Community College landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Based in Poughkeepsie, NY, Dutchess Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,670, compared with $10,670 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Read more about Dutchess Community College
Mohawk Valley Community College came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Set in Utica, NY, Mohawk Valley Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Students borrow a median of $11,900 to complete their General Visual Performing Arts program here. Read the full report on Mohawk Valley Community College
San Diego Mesa College landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in San Diego, CA. San Diego Mesa College graduates 92% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete their General Visual Performing Arts program here. Read more about San Diego Mesa College
University Of California Riverside did well this year, earning the #16 position. Read the full report on University Of California Riverside
Cleveland State Community College landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Cleveland State Community College report
Monterey Peninsula College came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Monterey Peninsula College
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus came in at #19 in this year's ranking. See the full Ohio University Chillicothe Campus profile
Reedley College
Reedley College did well this year, earning the #20 position. Get the full Reedley College report
Southern Virginia University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Get the full Southern Virginia University report
Spokane Falls Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best General Visual Performing Arts schools. Get the full Spokane Falls Community College report
Bakersfield College landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. See the full Bakersfield College profile
Stetson University placed #24 among General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. More on Stetson University
University Of Wisconsin Stout did well this year, earning the #25 position. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Stout report
Rest of the Top 50 Best General Visual Performing Arts Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Wichita State University placed #26 among General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. More on Wichita State University
Athens State University did well this year, earning the #27 position. See the full Athens State University profile
Hawaii Pacific University did well this year, earning the #28 position. Read the full report on Hawaii Pacific University
Cabrillo College
Cabrillo College did well this year, earning the #29 position. Get the full Cabrillo College report
City College Of San Francisco ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best General Visual Performing Arts schools. See the full City College Of San Francisco profile
College Of The Sequoias landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. More on College Of The Sequoias
Florida Gateway College came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Read more about Florida Gateway College
Gateway Community College Phoenix did well this year, earning the #33 position. Get the full Gateway Community College Phoenix report
Otis College Of Art And Design ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best General Visual Performing Arts schools. Read the full report on Otis College Of Art And Design
Pasco Hernando Community College landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Pasco Hernando Community College
Antelope Valley College placed #36 among General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. More on Antelope Valley College
Cuyamaca College
Cuyamaca College came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Get the full Cuyamaca College report
Normandale Community College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best General Visual Performing Arts schools. Get the full Normandale Community College report
Ohio University Main Campus placed #39 among General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. More on Ohio University Main Campus
Warren Wilson College came in at #40 in this year's ranking. See the full Warren Wilson College profile
California State University San Marcos landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on California State University San Marcos
College Of Central Florida ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best General Visual Performing Arts schools. More on College Of Central Florida
Grace Bible College did well this year, earning the #43 position. More on Grace Bible College
Middlesex County College placed #44 among General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. More on Middlesex County College
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Get the full Southeast Missouri State University report
Augusta University placed #46 among General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. Read the full report on Augusta University
Saint Marys College Of California ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best General Visual Performing Arts schools. Read more about Saint Marys College Of California
University Of Nebraska Lincoln did well this year, earning the #48 position. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Central Arizona College landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. See the full Central Arizona College profile
Dixie State College Of Utah ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best General Visual Performing Arts schools. See the full Dixie State College Of Utah profile
Related General Visual Performing Arts Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best General Visual Performing Arts Schools (All Levels)
- Best General Visual Performing Arts Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Visual Performing Arts Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Visual Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best General Visual Performing Arts Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best General Visual Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools
- Best General Visual Performing Arts Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · 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).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.