2026 Best General Visual Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best General Visual Performing Arts master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 561 schools 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.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
No school ranked higher than University Of Central Florida this year in the United States. University Of Central Florida is a public school based in Orlando, FL. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. The median General Visual Performing Arts program debt is $24,250. Read the full report on University Of Central Florida
The strong General Visual Performing Arts programs at The University Of Montana earned it the #2 place in the United States. Set in Missoula, MT, The University Of Montana is a public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. The University Of Montana General Visual Performing Arts students take on a median of $24,342 in debt. Read the full report on The University Of Montana
A rank of #3 makes Carnegie Mellon University one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,636. Carnegie Mellon University General Visual Performing Arts students take on a median of $23,529 in debt. Read more about Carnegie Mellon University
University Of Florida came in at #4 on this year's General Visual Performing Arts ranking in the United States. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. University Of Florida posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,983 to complete their General Visual Performing Arts program here. Read more about University Of Florida
Out of the 561 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Syracuse University landed the #5 spot. Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit school based in Syracuse, NY. About 84% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans. More on Syracuse University
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete their General Visual Performing Arts program here. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of California San Diego came in at #7 in this year's ranking. University Of California San Diego is a public school based in La Jolla, CA. About 86% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of California San Diego
The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best General Visual Performing Arts schools. Based in Richardson, TX, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Dallas posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. The median General Visual Performing Arts program debt is $21,196. Get the full The University Of Texas At Dallas report
Minneapolis College Of Art And Design did well this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Minneapolis, MN, Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,484. The median General Visual Performing Arts program debt is $27,812. More on Minneapolis College Of Art And Design
Regent University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Based in Virginia Beach, VA, Regent University is a private not-for-profit institution. Regent University graduates 58% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Regent University General Visual Performing Arts students take on a median of $29,451 in debt. More on Regent University
Iowa State University placed #11 among General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. Located in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical General Visual Performing Arts student debt is $23,495. Get the full Iowa State University report
George Mason University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Located in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. George Mason University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Graduates carry a median of $25,620 in student loans. Read more about George Mason University
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #13 among General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. Based in Indianapolis, IN, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis General Visual Performing Arts students take on a median of $23,146 in debt. Get the full Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis report
Yale University placed #14 among General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. Based in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Yale University posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Typical General Visual Performing Arts student debt is $14,357. More on Yale University
University Of Southern California placed #15 among General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. See the full University Of Southern California profile
College Of Charleston landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Set in Charleston, SC, College Of Charleston is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,978, while out-of-state students pay about $38,296. College Of Charleston General Visual Performing Arts students take on a median of $24,733 in debt. See the full College Of Charleston profile
Suny College At Brockport placed #17 among General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. Located in Brockport, NY, Suny College At Brockport is a public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. The median General Visual Performing Arts program debt is $24,757. Read the full report on Suny College At Brockport
West Virginia University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Morgantown, WV. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical General Visual Performing Arts student debt is $23,772. More on West Virginia University
Missouri State University Springfield placed #19 among General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. Based in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete their General Visual Performing Arts program here. See the full Missouri State University Springfield profile
Cuny Brooklyn College did well this year, earning the #20 position. Cuny Brooklyn College is a public school based in Brooklyn, NY. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates 54% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Get the full Cuny Brooklyn College report
University Of California Riverside did well this year, earning the #21 position. University Of California Riverside is a public school based in Riverside, CA. University Of California Riverside posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of California Riverside
California State University Los Angeles ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best General Visual Performing Arts schools. Based in Los Angeles, CA, California State University Los Angeles is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. 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. Read the full report on California State University Los Angeles
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago did well this year, earning the #23 position. School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $54,623 in tuition and fees. The median General Visual Performing Arts program debt is $27,000. Read the full report on School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago
Academy Of Art University landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. This private for-profit school is set in San Francisco, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. Students from in state pay about $30,736 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. More on Academy Of Art University
Cuny City College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best General Visual Performing Arts schools. Based in New York, NY, Cuny City College is a public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. The median General Visual Performing Arts program debt is $13,389. Read more about Cuny City College
Rest of the Top 50 Best General Visual Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Columbus College Of Art And Design ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best General Visual Performing Arts schools. Based in Columbus, OH, Columbus College Of Art And Design is a private not-for-profit institution. Columbus College Of Art And Design posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. In-state tuition and fees average $40,825. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about Columbus College Of Art And Design
University At Buffalo ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best General Visual Performing Arts schools. Set in Buffalo, NY, University At Buffalo is a public institution. University At Buffalo graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. University At Buffalo General Visual Performing Arts students take on a median of $22,232 in debt. Read the full report on University At Buffalo
Suny At Purchase College landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Set in Purchase, NY, Suny At Purchase College is a public institution. Suny At Purchase College graduates 63% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,016, compared with $19,266 for out-of-state students. The median General Visual Performing Arts program debt is $27,000. More on Suny At Purchase College
Milwaukee Area Technical College did well this year, earning the #29 position. Get the full Milwaukee Area Technical College report
State Fair Community College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best General Visual Performing Arts schools. Read more about State Fair Community College
Suffolk County Community College placed #31 among General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. See the full Suffolk County Community College profile
Los Angeles Harbor College did well this year, earning the #32 position. Read the full report on Los Angeles Harbor College
National Park Community College landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. See the full National Park Community College profile
Gallaudet University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best General Visual Performing Arts schools. Read the full report on Gallaudet University
Mendocino College did well this year, earning the #35 position. Read more about Mendocino College
Mt Hood Community College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best General Visual Performing Arts schools. More on Mt Hood Community College
Pike Lincoln Technical Center ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best General Visual Performing Arts schools. Read more about Pike Lincoln Technical Center
Cypress College
Cypress College did well this year, earning the #38 position. Get the full Cypress College report
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus did well this year, earning the #39 position. More on Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus
Fresno City College did well this year, earning the #40 position. Read more about Fresno City College
The Community College Of Baltimore County placed #41 among General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. Get the full The Community College Of Baltimore County report
University Of Kentucky came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on University Of Kentucky
University Of Mobile placed #43 among General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. See the full University Of Mobile profile
Victor Valley College landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Victor Valley College
Citrus College
Citrus College came in at #45 in this year's ranking. See the full Citrus College profile
Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Universidad Adventista De Las Antillas
University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best General Visual Performing Arts schools. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Stout report
Washtenaw Community College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best General Visual Performing Arts schools. Read more about Washtenaw Community College
College Of The Holy Cross placed #49 among General Visual Performing Arts schools in the United States. More on College Of The Holy Cross
Mercer County Community College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best General Visual Performing Arts schools. Read the full report on Mercer County Community College
Related General Visual Performing Arts Rankings
Explore 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 Associate’s 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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced 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).
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