2026 Best Visual And Performing Arts Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Visual And Performing Arts graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 2217 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, 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 Visual And Performing Arts Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Our analysis found Cuny Graduate School And University Center to be the best Visual And Performing Arts school in the United States. This public school is set in New York, NY. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $17,921. See the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center profile
The strong Visual And Performing Arts programs at Messiah College earned it the #2 place in the United States. Located in Mechanicsburg, PA, Messiah College is a private not-for-profit institution. Messiah College graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $42,240. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $25,965. Read more about Messiah College
A rank of #3 makes Michigan State University one of the top choices in the United States. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Michigan State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 81%. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $27,185. See the full Michigan State University profile
Out of the 2217 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, American Film Institute Conservatory landed the #4 spot. Based in Los Angeles, CA, American Film Institute Conservatory is a private not-for-profit institution. Read the full report on American Film Institute Conservatory
The strong Visual And Performing Arts programs at University Of Iowa earned it the #5 place in the United States. Set in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $27,174. See the full University Of Iowa profile
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Set in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $24,980. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
Towson University placed #7 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Set in Towson, MD, Towson University is a public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $18,540. Read the full report on Towson University
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $26,854. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York
American University landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Based in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. Graduates carry a median of $23,918 in student loans. Read the full report on American University
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $23,359. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
Texas Christian University landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Located in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,740. Texas Christian University Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $24,533 in debt. Read the full report on Texas Christian University
University Of Tulsa did well this year, earning the #14 position. Located in Tulsa, OK, University Of Tulsa is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Tulsa graduates 72% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $49,546. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $21,500. More on University Of Tulsa
Texas Tech University did well this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $27,550 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. More on Texas Tech University
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located 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%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Read more about West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
Iowa State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Based in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. Iowa State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $27,000. More on Iowa State University
University Of Southern California landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. About 92% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Students borrow a median of $19,142 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. See the full University Of Southern California profile
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #19 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Ann Arbor, MI. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $19,671. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile
University Of Connecticut placed #20 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Based in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. University Of Connecticut Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $24,722 in debt. See the full University Of Connecticut profile
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. This public school is set in Arlington, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $25,829. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Arlington
Carnegie Mellon University did well this year, earning the #22 position. 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. Graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans. See the full Carnegie Mellon University profile
Tufts University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Located in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,704. Tufts University Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $25,250 in debt. Read more about Tufts University
New York University did well this year, earning the #24 position. New York University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Students borrow a median of $24,771 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. See the full New York University profile
The University Of Tennessee landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Set in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. The University Of Tennessee Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $24,762 in debt. See the full The University Of Tennessee profile
College Of Charleston did well this year, earning the #26 position. Based in Charleston, SC, College Of Charleston is a public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,978, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $23,620. More on College Of Charleston
Rest of the Top 50 Best Visual And Performing Arts Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of Kentucky came in at #27 in this year's ranking. University Of Kentucky is a public school based in Lexington, KY. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $24,539. Read the full report on University Of Kentucky
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #28 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public school based in Bowling Green, OH. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $26,666 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Read the full report on Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Hood College landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Frederick, MD. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,700. Students borrow a median of $24,703 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. More on Hood College
Lindenwood University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Located in Saint Charles, MO, Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lindenwood University graduates 49% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. See the full Lindenwood University profile
Western Illinois University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Based in Macomb, IL, Western Illinois University is a public institution. Western Illinois University posts a six-year graduation rate of 45%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $28,893. Get the full Western Illinois University report
Ball State University placed #32 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Based in Muncie, IN, Ball State University is a public institution. Ball State University graduates 62% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Graduates carry a median of $24,502 in student loans. More on Ball State University
Texas State University San Marcos did well this year, earning the #33 position. Located in San Marcos, TX, Texas State University San Marcos is a public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $25,309. See the full Texas State University San Marcos profile
University Of Central Arkansas came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Set in Conway, AR, University Of Central Arkansas is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $27,495. Read more about University Of Central Arkansas
Montclair State University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Based in Montclair, NJ, Montclair State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $26,524. More on Montclair State University
Southern Methodist University landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Located in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Students borrow a median of $20,065 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Read more about Southern Methodist University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Set in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $25,833. Read the full report on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. This public school is set in Columbia, SC. University Of South Carolina Columbia posts a six-year graduation rate of 79%. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $26,935. More on University Of South Carolina Columbia
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus did well this year, earning the #39 position. Based in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $22,750. Read the full report on University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
George Mason University landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. George Mason University is a public school based in Fairfax, VA. George Mason University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,951 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Read the full report on George Mason University
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Based in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. University Of Missouri Columbia posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. University Of Missouri Columbia Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $24,854 in debt. See the full University Of Missouri Columbia profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #42 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $22,183. Get the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign report
George Washington University ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Set in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $22,910. See the full George Washington University profile
University Of Kansas ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. University Of Kansas is a public school based in Lawrence, KS. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Students borrow a median of $23,802 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Read the full report on University Of Kansas
Yale University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Yale University is a private not-for-profit school based in New Haven, CT. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Read the full report on Yale University
Boston University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Set in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Boston University Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $26,127 in debt. Read the full report on Boston University
Suny College At Brockport placed #47 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Set in Brockport, NY, Suny College At Brockport is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $23,060. See the full Suny College At Brockport profile
Marywood University placed #48 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Marywood University is a private not-for-profit school based in Scranton, PA. Marywood University graduates 72% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,420. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $27,362. More on Marywood University
University Of Utah landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Salt Lake City, UT. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $19,061. Read more about University Of Utah
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Based in Las Vegas, NV, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $26,678. Get the full University Of Nevada Las Vegas report
Arizona State University Skysong landed the #51 spot in the United States this year. Based in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,627, while out-of-state students pay about $13,925. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $23,026. Read more about Arizona State University Skysong
Related Visual And Performing Arts Rankings
See rankings for 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 Bachelor’s 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. The methodology weighs 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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