2026 Best Visual And Performing Arts Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Visual And Performing Arts associate’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 2217 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Visual And Performing Arts Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts tops our 2026 ranking of the best Visual And Performing Arts associate's degree schools in the United States. Based in Dallas, TX, Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $20,521 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $17,316 in student loans. Read more about Kd College Conservatory Of Film And Dramatic Arts
A rank of #3 makes Sae Institute Of Technology Nashville one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Nashville, TN, Sae Institute Of Technology Nashville is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,828. Graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. See the full Sae Institute Of Technology Nashville profile
John Tyler Community College came in at #4 on this year's Visual And Performing Arts ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Chester, VA. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $5,000. Read the full report on John Tyler Community College
Madison Area Technical College came in at #5 on this year's Visual And Performing Arts ranking in the United States. Set in Madison, WI, Madison Area Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Madison Area Technical College Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $15,750 in debt. Get the full Madison Area Technical College report
School Of Advertising Art Inc came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in Kettering, OH, School Of Advertising Art Inc is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,914. Graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. See the full School Of Advertising Art Inc profile
New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts placed #8 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Located in New York, NY, New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,550. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $12,000. Get the full New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts report
American Musical And Dramatic Academy came in at #9 in this year's ranking. American Musical And Dramatic Academy is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. About 52% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $46,928. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $17,692. Get the full American Musical And Dramatic Academy report
Alexandria Technical And Community College did well this year, earning the #10 position. This public school is set in Alexandria, MN. Students from in state pay about $6,236 in tuition and fees. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $12,000. Get the full Alexandria Technical And Community College report
University Of South Dakota came in at #11 in this year's ranking. University Of South Dakota is a public school based in Vermillion, SD. University Of South Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $27,000. Read the full report on University Of South Dakota
Waukesha County Technical College did well this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Pewaukee, WI, Waukesha County Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,803 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Waukesha County Technical College Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $15,554 in debt. Read more about Waukesha County Technical College
The New School ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Located in New York, NY, The New School is a private not-for-profit institution. The New School posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,730. Graduates carry a median of $24,441 in student loans. More on The New School
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Located in Long Island City, NY, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $8,750. More on Cuny Laguardia Community College
Arapahoe Community College did well this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Littleton, CO, Arapahoe Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,034 for out-of-state students. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $15,000. Get the full Arapahoe Community College report
Bismarck State College came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Set in Bismarck, ND, Bismarck State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,247, while out-of-state students pay about $7,331. Graduates carry a median of $13,340 in student loans. Get the full Bismarck State College report
Scottsdale Community College did well this year, earning the #17 position. This public school is set in Scottsdale, AZ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $11,187. Read the full report on Scottsdale Community College
Austin Community College District did well this year, earning the #18 position. Austin Community College District is a public school based in Austin, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Austin Community College District Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $17,389 in debt. More on Austin Community College District
Valencia College landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Set in Orlando, FL, Valencia College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $9,576. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $10,812. More on Valencia College
Johnson County Community College came in at #20 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Overland Park, KS. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $13,625. More on Johnson County Community College
Interior Designers Institute did well this year, earning the #21 position. Interior Designers Institute is a private for-profit school based in Newport Beach, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $20,250. Interior Designers Institute Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $26,235 in debt. See the full Interior Designers Institute profile
Academy Of Art University did well this year, earning the #22 position. Set 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. Students borrow a median of $34,026 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Read more about Academy Of Art University
Collin County Community College District landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Collin County Community College District is a public school based in McKinney, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $2,014, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $6,900. Read the full report on Collin County Community College District
Sessions College For Professional Design placed #24 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Set in Tempe, AZ, Sessions College For Professional Design is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,400. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $25,199. Read more about Sessions College For Professional Design
Macomb Community College did well this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Warren, MI, Macomb Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $10,500. Read more about Macomb Community College
Western Technical College La Cross placed #28 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Western Technical College La Cross is a public school based in La Crosse, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,078. Western Technical College La Cross Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $12,057 in debt. Read the full report on Western Technical College La Cross
Metropolitan Community College Area placed #29 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Based in Omaha, NE, Metropolitan Community College Area is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $12,526. Read more about Metropolitan Community College Area
Rest of the Top 50 Best Visual And Performing Arts Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Milwaukee Area Technical College did well this year, earning the #30 position. Located in Milwaukee, WI, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,184 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Graduates carry a median of $18,296 in student loans. Read the full report on Milwaukee Area Technical College
Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. This private for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $35,000. Students borrow a median of $21,833 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. See the full Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles profile
Century College came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Based in White Bear Lake, MN, Century College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $15,000. Get the full Century College report
Trevecca Nazarene University came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Trevecca Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. Trevecca Nazarene University graduates 53% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $31,300. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $24,962. See the full Trevecca Nazarene University profile
Nossi College Of Art ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Located in Nashville, TN, Nossi College Of Art is a private for-profit institution. About 42% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,350. Nossi College Of Art Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $46,500 in debt. Read more about Nossi College Of Art
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis did well this year, earning the #35 position. This public school is set in Indianapolis, IN. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $22,750. More on Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Montana State University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Montana State University is a public school based in Bozeman, MT. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Montana State University Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $23,450 in debt. Get the full Montana State University report
Holyoke Community College placed #37 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Holyoke Community College is a public school based in Holyoke, MA. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,988, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Students borrow a median of $9,763 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. More on Holyoke Community College
Community College Of Aurora landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Community College Of Aurora is a public school based in Aurora, CO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $20,750. Read the full report on Community College Of Aurora
County College Of Morris ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. This public school is set in Randolph, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $9,250. Read more about County College Of Morris
American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,650. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $14,585. More on American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York
Finger Lakes Community College did well this year, earning the #41 position. Finger Lakes Community College is a public school based in Canandaigua, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,258, while out-of-state students pay about $8,442. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $16,736. Read more about Finger Lakes Community College
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Ivy Tech Community College is a public school based in Indianapolis, IN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $12,710. More on Ivy Tech Community College
Gateway Technical College placed #43 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Located in Kenosha, WI, Gateway Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $7,199. Gateway Technical College Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $15,500 in debt. Read the full report on Gateway Technical College
Rochester Institute Of Technology did well this year, earning the #44 position. Based in Rochester, NY, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Rochester Institute Of Technology graduates 72% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $59,210 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Get the full Rochester Institute Of Technology report
Sinclair Community College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Sinclair Community College is a public school based in Dayton, OH. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Get the full Sinclair Community College report
American Academy Of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Set in Los Angeles, CA, American Academy Of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,650. American Academy Of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $14,585 in debt. Read more about American Academy Of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Set in Okmulgee, OK, Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,774, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $13,356. Get the full Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee report
Berkeley College Woodland Park placed #49 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Based in Woodland Park, NJ, Berkeley College Woodland Park is a private for-profit institution. Berkeley College Woodland Park posts a six-year graduation rate of 40%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,320. Students borrow a median of $23,949 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Read the full report on Berkeley College Woodland Park
Columbia College Hollywood landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Columbia College Hollywood is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. Columbia College Hollywood posts a six-year graduation rate of 37%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,186. Graduates carry a median of $23,251 in student loans. More on Columbia College Hollywood
Lehigh Carbon Community College came in at #51 in this year's ranking. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a public school based in Schnecksville, PA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $14,450. See the full Lehigh Carbon Community College profile
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #52 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a public school based in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $9,535 in student loans. Read the full report on Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
Salt Lake Community College did well this year, earning the #53 position. This public school is set in Salt Lake City, UT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Students borrow a median of $10,766 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Read more about Salt Lake Community College
Utah Valley University did well this year, earning the #54 position. Utah Valley University is a public school based in Orem, UT. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,400 in student loans. See the full Utah Valley University profile
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg placed #55 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Set in Harrisburg, PA, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $17,496. Read more about Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg
Related Visual And Performing Arts Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Visual And Performing Arts Schools (All Levels)
- Best Visual And Performing Arts Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Visual And Performing Arts Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Visual And Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Visual And Performing Arts Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Visual And Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Visual And 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 2217 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.