2026 Best Visual And Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Visual And Performing Arts bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 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 help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated 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 Visual And Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
No school ranked higher than University Of Notre Dame this year in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Graduates carry a median of $19,566 in student loans. More on University Of Notre Dame
Out of the 2217 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Duke University landed the #2 spot. Set in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Read the full report on Duke University
Lafayette College came in at #3 on this year's Visual And Performing Arts ranking in the United States. Based in Easton, PA, Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit institution. Lafayette College posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. Students from in state pay about $64,648 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,931 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. More on Lafayette College
You'll be in good company at Dartmouth College, which ranked #4 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hanover, NH. Dartmouth College posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,019. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $13,663. More on Dartmouth College
A rank of #5 makes California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo one of the top choices in the United States. This public school is set in San Luis Obispo, CA. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,198 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. More on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
College Of The Holy Cross ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit school based in Worcester, MA. College Of The Holy Cross posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. Students from in state pay about $64,500 in tuition and fees. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $22,375. Get the full College Of The Holy Cross report
Emory University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Emory University is a private not-for-profit school based in Atlanta, GA. Emory University posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Read the full report on Emory University
Northwestern University landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $17,822. More on Northwestern University
Brandeis University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Set in Waltham, MA, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brandeis University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,080. Brandeis University Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $25,653 in debt. Get the full Brandeis University report
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Graduates carry a median of $26,234 in student loans. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Winona State University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $24,551. More on Winona State University
Carnegie Mellon University placed #12 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Read more about Carnegie Mellon University
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $24,980. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
Columbia University In The City Of New York did well this year, earning the #14 position. 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 average $70,517. Columbia University In The City Of New York Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $26,854 in debt. See the full Columbia University In The City Of New York profile
Luther College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Luther College is a private not-for-profit school based in Decorah, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,120. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Read more about Luther College
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #16 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Fargo, ND. North Dakota State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read the full report on North Dakota State University Main Campus
Sacred Heart University did well this year, earning the #17 position. Based in Fairfield, CT, Sacred Heart University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $50,404 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans. Get the full Sacred Heart University report
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $19,896 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
James Madison University landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Based in Harrisonburg, VA, James Madison University is a public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Students borrow a median of $21,046 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. More on James Madison University
University Of California Berkeley ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $13,510. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
Williams College placed #21 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Based in Williamstown, MA, Williams College is a private not-for-profit institution. Williams College posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Williams College Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $11,850 in debt. Get the full Williams College report
Drake University placed #22 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Des Moines, IA. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,960. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Read the full report on Drake University
The College Of New Jersey came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Set in Ewing, NJ, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Get the full The College Of New Jersey report
St Marys College Of Maryland did well this year, earning the #24 position. Located in St. Mary's City, MD, St Marys College Of Maryland is a public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,298, with out-of-state students paying around $31,374. Students borrow a median of $22,655 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. See the full St Marys College Of Maryland profile
Concordia College At Moorhead placed #25 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Set in Moorhead, MN, Concordia College At Moorhead is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $31,170. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Concordia College At Moorhead
Rest of the Top 50 Best Visual And Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Skidmore College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Set in Saratoga Springs, NY, Skidmore College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,140. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $18,500. See the full Skidmore College profile
University Of Georgia did well this year, earning the #27 position. This public school is set in Athens, GA. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $21,608. Get the full University Of Georgia report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #28 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $19,671. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Nebraska At Kearney ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. This public school is set in Kearney, NE. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $16,101. Get the full University Of Nebraska At Kearney report
Washington University In St Louis landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Located in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,790. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $19,089. Read the full report on Washington University In St Louis
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. University Of Virginia Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. University Of Virginia Main Campus Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $18,636 in debt. More on University Of Virginia Main Campus
Boston College came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Based in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $70,702 in tuition and fees. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $18,101. Read more about Boston College
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #33 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Based in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Graduates carry a median of $13,915 in student loans. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Evansville ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evansville, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,172. University Of Evansville Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $23,727 in debt. See the full University Of Evansville profile
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $23,359. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Set in West Chester, PA, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. More on West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. Purdue University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $20,481. See the full Purdue University Main Campus profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $22,183. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Belmont University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Nashville, TN. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Students from in state pay about $42,540 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,722 in student loans. See the full Belmont University profile
Oklahoma State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #40 position. Based in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Get the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus report
Vanderbilt University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Read the full report on Vanderbilt University
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Graduates carry a median of $20,948 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
Southern Methodist University ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Based in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,040. Graduates carry a median of $20,065 in student loans. More on Southern Methodist University
University Of Iowa did well this year, earning the #44 position. Set in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Iowa
University Of Southern California ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. University Of Southern California Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $19,142 in debt. Read more about University Of Southern California
Truman State University came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Based in Kirksville, MO, Truman State University is a public institution. Truman State University graduates 68% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $27,000. Read more about Truman State University
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Based in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $24,854. Read more about University Of Missouri Columbia
Wellesley College landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Wellesley College is a private not-for-profit school based in Wellesley, MA. Wellesley College graduates 92% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Get the full Wellesley College report
Michigan State University landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in East Lansing, MI. Michigan State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 81%. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $27,185. Read the full report on Michigan State University
Texas Tech University ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Texas Tech University is a public school based in Lubbock, TX. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,550 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Get the full Texas Tech University report
Related Visual And Performing Arts Rankings
Compare rankings at 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 Associate’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. Schools are scored on 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).
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