2023 Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Texas
Finding the Best Visual & Performing Arts School for You
In 2020-2021, 7,696 degrees and certificates were awarded to visual and performing arts students who went to a Texas college or university. This makes it the #13 most popular major in the state.
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. 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.
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 Texas ranking. This report analyzed 34 schools in Texas to see which ones offered the best programs for students.
View our full ranking methodology.
2023 Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Texas
Check out the visual and performing arts programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.
Top 10 Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools
Our analysis found The University of Texas at Austin to be the best school for visual and performing arts students who want to pursue a degree in Texas. Located in the large city of Austin, UT Austin is a public school with a very large student population.
After completing their degree, visual and performing arts graduates from UT Austin carry an average student debtload of $22,725. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $358, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Request Information
The excellent programs at Rice University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best visual and performing arts schools in Texas. Located in the large city of Houston, Rice is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.
Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Rice University
Request Information
Out of the 34 schools in Texas that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas Christian University landed the # 3 spot on the list. TCU is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth.
The average amount in student loans that visual and performing arts majors at TCU take out is $21,500.
Read full report on Visual & Performing Arts at Texas Christian University
Request Information
The excellent programs at Texas Tech University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best visual and performing arts schools in Texas. Located in the large city of Lubbock, Texas Tech is a public school with a fairly large student population.
While working on their degree, visual and performing arts majors at Texas Tech accumulate an average of around $26,361 in student debt.
Full Visual & Performing Arts at Texas Tech University Report
Request Information
Out of the 34 schools in Texas that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Methodist University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in the large suburb of Dallas, SMU is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.
Request Information
West Texas A&M University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best visual and performing arts programs. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A&M University is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
After completing their degree, visual and performing arts graduates from West Texas A&M University carry an average student debtload of $21,825.
Request Information
Texas A&M University - Commerce 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. Texas A&M Commerce is a fairly large public school located in the distant town of Commerce.
The average amount in student loans that visual and performing arts majors at Texas A&M Commerce take out is $27,236. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $192.
Request Information
Texas State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Texas ranking. Texas State is a fairly large public school located in the small city of San Marcos.
While working on their degree, visual and performing arts majors at Texas State accumulate an average of around $24,258 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $258.
Full Visual & Performing Arts at Texas State University Report
Request Information
University of Houston came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in Texas ranking. UH is a fairly large public school located in the city of Houston.
Visual & Performing Arts majors at UH take out an average of $26,167 in student loans while working on their egree.
Request Information
With a ranking of #10, The University of Texas at Arlington did quite well on this year’s best schools for visual and performing arts students. Located in the city of Arlington, UT Arlington is a public college with a very large student population.
On average, visual and performing arts graduates from UT Arlington take out $26,333 in student loans while working on their degree.
Request InformationBest Visual & Performing Arts Colleges in the Southwest Region
Explore all the Best Visual & Performing Arts Schools in the Southwest Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Arizona | 2,294 |
| New Mexico | 493 |
| Oklahoma | 1,205 |
More Visual & Performing Arts Rankings in Texas
Rankings in Majors Related to Visual & Performing Arts
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 |
Most Popular Majors Related 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 25 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.