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Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Tennessee

2023 Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Tennessee

16 Colleges
$25,622 Avg Salary
$25,401 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Visual & Performing Arts School for You

Out of the majors we analyze each year, visual and performing arts was ranked 5th in Tennessee. In fact, 2,629 were awarded in the state in 2020-2021.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Tennessee ranking. Our analysis looked at 16 schools in Tennessee to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Tennessee

The following schools top our list of the Best Visual & Performing Arts Colleges.

Top 10 Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools

#1

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN

Our analysis found Vanderbilt University to be the best school for visual and performing arts students who want to pursue a degree in Tennessee. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that visual and performing arts majors at Vanderbilt take out is $19,500.

Full Visual & Performing Arts at Vanderbilt University Report

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#2

Belmont University

Nashville, TN

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Belmont University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Tennessee list. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.

After completing their degree, visual and performing arts graduates from Belmont carry an average student debtload of $24,644. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $870.

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Out of the 16 schools in Tennessee that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the midsize city of Chattanooga, UT Chattanooga is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that visual and performing arts majors at UT Chattanooga take out is $26,000.

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The excellent programs at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best visual and performing arts schools in Tennessee. Located in the midsize city of Knoxville, UT Knoxville is a public school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, visual and performing arts graduates from UT Knoxville carry an average student debtload of $25,000.

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#5

Freed-Hardeman University

Henderson, TN

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Freed-Hardeman University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Tennessee list. Located in the town of Henderson, FHU is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

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With a ranking of #6, Trevecca Nazarene University did quite well on this year’s best schools for visual and performing arts students. TNU is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville.

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Middle Tennessee State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Tennessee list. Located in the medium-sized city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a public college with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, visual and performing arts graduates from Middle Tennessee State University carry an average student debtload of $22,842. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $243.

Full Visual & Performing Arts at Middle Tennessee State University Report

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The University of Tennessee - Martin came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Tennessee ranking. UT Martin is a medium-sized public school located in the remote town of Martin.

Visual & Performing Arts majors at UT Martin take out an average of $19,944 in student loans while working on their egree.

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#9

Lee University

Cleveland, TN

Lee University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Tennessee ranking. Lee University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland.

Visual & Performing Arts majors at Lee University take out an average of $28,688 in student loans while working on their egree.

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#10

Lipscomb University

Nashville, TN

With a ranking of #10, Lipscomb University did quite well on this year’s best schools for visual and performing arts students. Located in the large city of Nashville, Lipscomb is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

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Best Visual & Performing Arts Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Best Visual & Performing Arts Colleges in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
North Carolina 3,215
West Virginia 405
Florida 7,291
Virginia 3,471
Arkansas 830
Mississippi 696
South Carolina 1,360
Louisiana 1,147
Alabama 1,142
Kentucky 1,067
Georgia 4,322

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

Majors Similar to Visual & Performing Arts

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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