2026 Best Visual And Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Visual And Performing Arts master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 2217 colleges 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 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Duke University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Visual And Performing Arts master's degree schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,758. Duke University Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $13,296 in debt. See the full Duke University profile
University Of Notre Dame came in at #2 on this year's Visual And Performing Arts ranking in the United States. Set in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $19,566. Read the full report on University Of Notre Dame
A rank of #3 makes Dartmouth College one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,019. Graduates carry a median of $13,663 in student loans. Read more about Dartmouth College
The strong Visual And Performing Arts programs at Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned it the #4 place in the United States. Set in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Read more about Cuny Graduate School And University Center
The strong Visual And Performing Arts programs at Emory University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Emory University is a private not-for-profit school based in Atlanta, GA. Emory University posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,280. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $13,000. Read more about Emory University
Messiah College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Based in Mechanicsburg, PA, Messiah College is a private not-for-profit institution. Messiah College posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,240. Messiah College Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $25,965 in debt. More on Messiah College
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Set in Chicago, IL, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Read the full report on Illinois Institute Of Technology
Sothebys Institute Of Art Ny came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in New York, NY, Sothebys Institute Of Art Ny is a private for-profit institution. See the full Sothebys Institute Of Art Ny profile
Teachers College At Columbia University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Set in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Teachers College At Columbia University
University Of Nebraska At Kearney landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Set in Kearney, NE, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a public institution. University Of Nebraska At Kearney graduates 57% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. University Of Nebraska At Kearney Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $16,101 in debt. Get the full University Of Nebraska At Kearney report
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,234 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. More on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Brandeis University landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Based in Waltham, MA, Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,080. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $25,653. Read more about Brandeis University
Kansas State University placed #14 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Located in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Kansas State University Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. See the full Kansas State University profile
Sacred Heart University did well this year, earning the #15 position. Located in Fairfield, CT, Sacred Heart University is a private not-for-profit institution. Sacred Heart University graduates 74% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,404. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Read more about Sacred Heart University
Michigan State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Graduates carry a median of $27,185 in student loans. See the full Michigan State University profile
American Film Institute Conservatory landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Located in Los Angeles, CA, American Film Institute Conservatory is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about American Film Institute Conservatory
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Set in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. North Dakota State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $27,000. More on North Dakota State University Main Campus
Eastern Illinois University placed #19 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Eastern Illinois University is a public school based in Charleston, IL. Eastern Illinois University graduates 47% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,820 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Get the full Eastern Illinois University report
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public school based in Lincoln, NE. University Of Nebraska Lincoln posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $23,460. More on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Williams College placed #21 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Set in Williamstown, MA, Williams College is a private not-for-profit institution. Williams College graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,560. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $11,850. See the full Williams College profile
Sam Houston State University placed #22 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Based in Huntsville, TX, Sam Houston State University is a public institution. Sam Houston State University graduates 55% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $27,845. Get the full Sam Houston State University report
American University placed #23 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Set in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,771. American University Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $23,918 in debt. Get the full American University report
University Of California Berkeley placed #24 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $13,510 in student loans. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Set in Kingsville, TX, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a public institution. Texas A And M University Kingsville posts a six-year graduation rate of 42%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Get the full Texas A And M University Kingsville report
Northwestern University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $17,822. See the full Northwestern University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Visual And Performing Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit school based in Troy, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Students from in state pay about $64,078 in tuition and fees. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $25,000. Get the full Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute report
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #28 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Fort Collins, CO. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $24,868. Get the full Colorado State University Fort Collins report
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,636. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $23,813. See the full Carnegie Mellon University profile
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. University Of Virginia Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. University Of Virginia Main Campus Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $18,636 in debt. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report
National University placed #31 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. National University graduates 50% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,284 in tuition and fees. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $30,426. Read the full report on National University
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Based in El Paso, TX, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $16,905. See the full The University Of Texas At El Paso profile
James Madison University did well this year, earning the #33 position. Located in Harrisonburg, VA, James Madison University is a public institution. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Graduates carry a median of $21,046 in student loans. Get the full James Madison University report
New York University placed #34 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. New York University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. New York University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,796. New York University Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $24,771 in debt. See the full New York University profile
University Of Central Florida came in at #35 in this year's ranking. University Of Central Florida is a public school based in Orlando, FL. About 78% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $21,288. Read the full report on University Of Central Florida
Rice University placed #36 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Based in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Get the full Rice University report
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public school based in West Chester, PA. About 70% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. See the full West Chester University Of Pennsylvania profile
Wagner College came in at #38 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Staten Island, NY. Wagner College posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,200. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $27,000. Read the full report on Wagner College
Oklahoma State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #39 position. Set in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $21,111. Get the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus report
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school based in West Lafayette, IN. Purdue University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Graduates carry a median of $20,481 in student loans. More on Purdue University Main Campus
Texas Christian University did well this year, earning the #41 position. Based in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. Students borrow a median of $24,533 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. More on Texas Christian University
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Texas A And M University Commerce is a public school based in Commerce, TX. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Graduates carry a median of $27,101 in student loans. Read the full report on Texas A And M University Commerce
Truman State University ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Based in Kirksville, MO, Truman State University is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More on Truman State University
West Texas A And M University placed #44 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Set in Canyon, TX, West Texas A And M University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. Graduates carry a median of $24,035 in student loans. Read more about West Texas A And M University
Mount St Marys College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Mount St Marys College is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. Mount St Marys College graduates 48% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $49,564 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Read more about Mount St Marys College
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. This public school is set in Austin, TX. About 89% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Graduates carry a median of $24,980 in student loans. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
Goucher College landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Located in Baltimore, MD, Goucher College is a private not-for-profit institution. Goucher College graduates 57% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,350. Goucher College Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $25,406 in debt. Get the full Goucher College report
University Of Tulsa placed #48 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Based in Tulsa, OK, University Of Tulsa is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Tulsa graduates 72% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,546. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $21,500. See the full University Of Tulsa profile
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $23,327 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Get the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus report
University Of Northern Iowa placed #50 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. University Of Northern Iowa is a public school based in Cedar Falls, IA. University Of Northern Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. University Of Northern Iowa Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $23,025 in debt. See the full University Of Northern Iowa profile
University Of Wisconsin Stout came in at #51 in this year's ranking. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a public school based in Menomonie, WI. University Of Wisconsin Stout posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. Graduates carry a median of $27,090 in student loans. More on University Of Wisconsin Stout
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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Visual And Performing Arts Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Visual And Performing Arts Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled 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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