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Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Michigan

2023 Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Michigan

16 Colleges
$27,279 Avg Salary
$26,395 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Visual & Performing Arts School for You

In 2020-2021, 3,433 degrees and certificates were awarded to visual and performing arts students who went to a Michigan college or university. This makes it the #11 most popular major in the state.

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

The Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Michigan ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 16 schools in Michigan to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Michigan

The colleges and universities below are the best for visual and performing arts majors pursuing a .

Top 10 Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools

#1

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

Our analysis found Michigan State University to be the best school for visual and performing arts students who want to pursue a degree in Michigan. Michigan State is a very large public school located in the small city of East Lansing.

After completing their degree, visual and performing arts graduates from Michigan State carry an average student debtload of $28,422. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $389.

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Out of the 16 schools in Michigan that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, visual and performing arts graduates from U-M carry an average student debtload of $18,520. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $354.

Full Visual & Performing Arts at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Report

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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means College for Creative Studies is a great place for visual and performing arts students. Located in the large city of Detroit, CCS is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

After completing their degree, visual and performing arts graduates from CCS carry an average student debtload of $27,545. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $594, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Grand Valley State University is a great place for visual and performing arts students. Located in the large suburb of Allendale, GVSU is a public school with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, visual and performing arts graduates from GVSU carry an average student debtload of $26,050. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $235.

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#5

Spring Arbor University

Spring Arbor, MI

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Spring Arbor University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Michigan list. Located in the small suburb of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that visual and performing arts majors at Spring Arbor take out is $27,000.

Full Visual & Performing Arts at Spring Arbor University Report

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#6

Cranbrook Academy of Art

Bloomfield Hills, MI

Cranbrook Academy of Art ranked #6 on this year’s Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Michigan list. Located in the suburb of Bloomfield Hills, Carnbrook Academy is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

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#7

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for visual and performing arts students. It came in at #7 on the list. Central Michigan is a fairly large public school located in the distant town of Mount Pleasant.

On average, visual and performing arts graduates from Central Michigan take out $27,795 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $296, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Visual & Performing Arts at Central Michigan University Report

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#8

Oakland University

Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Michigan ranking. Located in the large suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland is a public college with a large student population.

After completing their degree, visual and performing arts graduates from Oakland carry an average student debtload of $28,266. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $241, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#9

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for visual and performing arts students. It came in at #9 on the list. Ferris is a large public school located in the distant town of Big Rapids.

After completing their degree, visual and performing arts graduates from Ferris carry an average student debtload of $27,305. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $235.

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#10

Saginaw Valley State University

University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best visual and performing arts programs. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

On average, visual and performing arts graduates from Saginaw Valley State University take out $27,750 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Visual & Performing Arts at Saginaw Valley State University Report

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Best Visual & Performing Arts Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

Explore all the Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Indiana 2,306
Ohio 4,641
Illinois 5,502
Wisconsin 2,248

Visual & Performing Arts Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Fine & Studio Arts 37,413
Design & Applied Arts 36,301
Music 25,910
Drama & Theater Arts 17,341
Film, Video & Photographic Arts 16,778
General Visual & Performing Arts 6,355
Arts & Media Management 4,788
Dance 3,288
Other Visual Art 912
Crafts, Folk Art & Artisanry 119
Community/Environmental/Socially-Engaged Art 10

Related Major Annual Graduates
Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 556,813
English Language & Literature 54,635
Foreign Languages & Linguistics 33,333
Theology & Religious Vocations 27,459
Philosophy & Religious Studies 19,993

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 16 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Bonnielou2013.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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