2026 Best Visual And Performing Arts Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best Visual And Performing Arts undergraduate certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 2217 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect 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 Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
A rank of #2 makes Gnomon School Of Visual Effects one of the top choices in the United States. Set in North Hollywood, CA, Gnomon School Of Visual Effects is a private for-profit institution. About 100% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,635. Students borrow a median of $38,000 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. More on Gnomon School Of Visual Effects
The strong Visual And Performing Arts programs at Miami Ad School At Portfolio Center earned it the #4 place in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in Atlanta, GA. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,400. Read more about Miami Ad School At Portfolio Center
A rank of #5 makes American Musical And Dramatic Academy one of the top choices in the United States. Based in New York, NY, American Musical And Dramatic Academy is a private not-for-profit institution. American Musical And Dramatic Academy graduates 52% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,928. Students borrow a median of $17,692 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Read more about American Musical And Dramatic Academy
John Tyler Community College landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. John Tyler Community College is a public school based in Chester, VA. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $5,000. Get the full John Tyler Community College report
Florida Institute Of Recording Sound And Technology came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Florida Institute Of Recording Sound And Technology is a private for-profit school based in Orlando, FL. Students borrow a median of $7,853 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Read more about Florida Institute Of Recording Sound And Technology
Nashville Film Institute placed #8 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Set in Nashville, TN, Nashville Film Institute is a private for-profit institution. Nashville Film Institute Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $9,058 in debt. See the full Nashville Film Institute profile
Sae Institute Of Technology Nashville did well this year, earning the #10 position. Located in Nashville, TN, Sae Institute Of Technology Nashville is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,828. Graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Get the full Sae Institute Of Technology Nashville report
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $19,896 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison
The Ailey School came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Located in New York, NY, The Ailey School is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,817. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. See the full The Ailey School profile
Boston University landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. About 89% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Students borrow a median of $26,127 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. See the full Boston University profile
Scottsdale Community College landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Located in Scottsdale, AZ, Scottsdale Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $11,187 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. More on Scottsdale Community College
Collin County Community College District ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Set in McKinney, TX, Collin County Community College District is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,014, with out-of-state students paying around $6,064. Graduates carry a median of $6,900 in student loans. Read more about Collin County Community College District
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #16 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public school based in Cincinnati, OH. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $25,833 in debt. Read more about University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Century College placed #17 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Set in White Bear Lake, MN, Century College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. See the full Century College profile
Tufts University landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Medford, MA. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Read the full report on Tufts University
Gwinnett Technical College came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Set in Lawrenceville, GA, Gwinnett Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,524, while out-of-state students pay about $6,092. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $18,997. More on Gwinnett Technical College
Catholic University Of America did well this year, earning the #20 position. Catholic University Of America is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Read more about Catholic University Of America
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Based in Indianapolis, IN, Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $12,710. Read the full report on Ivy Tech Community College
Austin Community College District ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Set in Austin, TX, Austin Community College District is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $17,389 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Read the full report on Austin Community College District
Neighborhood Playhouse School Of The Theater placed #23 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York City, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,000. Graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Read more about Neighborhood Playhouse School Of The Theater
College Of Southern Nevada placed #24 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Located in Las Vegas, NV, College Of Southern Nevada is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $9,500. More on College Of Southern Nevada
Yale University placed #25 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Located in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Yale University posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $14,357. Read more about Yale University
Johnson County Community College came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Johnson County Community College is a public school based in Overland Park, KS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Johnson County Community College Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $13,625 in debt. Read the full report on Johnson County Community College
Longy School Of Music Of Bard College landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Based in Cambridge, MA, Longy School Of Music Of Bard College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,275. Get the full Longy School Of Music Of Bard College report
Central Piedmont Community College landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Located in Charlotte, NC, Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Read the full report on Central Piedmont Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Visual And Performing Arts Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
George Washington University did well this year, earning the #29 position. Located in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. Read more about George Washington University
New York Film Academy ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Located in Burbank, CA, New York Film Academy is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,122. Graduates carry a median of $17,695 in student loans. Get the full New York Film Academy report
Minneapolis Community And Technical College did well this year, earning the #31 position. Located in Minneapolis, MN, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,161. Students borrow a median of $17,439 to complete their Visual And Performing Arts program here. More on Minneapolis Community And Technical College
El Centro College placed #32 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Dallas, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Graduates carry a median of $11,835 in student loans. Read the full report on El Centro College
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design placed #33 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Based in Boston, MA, Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a public institution. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design graduates 69% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,400, compared with $43,400 for out-of-state students. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $24,807. Get the full Massachusetts College Of Art And Design report
American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Based in New York, NY, American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,650 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $14,585 in student loans. Get the full American Academy Of Dramatic Arts New York report
Nashville State Community College placed #35 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Located in Nashville, TN, Nashville State Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,730, compared with $17,714 for out-of-state students. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $16,745. More on Nashville State Community College
Clary Sage College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Tulsa, OK. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $10,941. See the full Clary Sage College profile
Des Moines Area Community College did well this year, earning the #37 position. Based in Ankeny, IA, Des Moines Area Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $13,625. Read more about Des Moines Area Community College
The University Of Montana landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Set in Missoula, MT, The University Of Montana is a public institution. The University Of Montana posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $26,899. More on The University Of Montana
Berklee College Of Music landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,040. Berklee College Of Music Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $25,652 in debt. See the full Berklee College Of Music profile
American Academy Of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #40 position. Located in Los Angeles, CA, American Academy Of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,650. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $14,585. Read the full report on American Academy Of Dramatic Arts Los Angeles
Macomb Community College did well this year, earning the #41 position. Based in Warren, MI, Macomb Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $10,500. See the full Macomb Community College profile
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Set in Harrisburg, PA, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $17,496 in debt. More on Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg
Community College Of Aurora did well this year, earning the #43 position. Community College Of Aurora is a public school based in Aurora, CO. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Community College Of Aurora Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $20,750 in debt. See the full Community College Of Aurora profile
Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $44,600 in tuition and fees. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $26,750. Read more about Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts
Missouri Southern State University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Based in Joplin, MO, Missouri Southern State University is a public institution. Missouri Southern State University graduates 40% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Missouri Southern State University Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $22,241 in debt. More on Missouri Southern State University
Oklahoma City Community College placed #46 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Oklahoma City, OK. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Oklahoma City Community College Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $13,209 in debt. Get the full Oklahoma City Community College report
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Based in Little Rock, AR, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 37%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,911, with out-of-state students paying around $22,721. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $25,402 in debt. See the full University Of Arkansas At Little Rock profile
Spokane Falls Community College did well this year, earning the #49 position. This public school is set in Spokane, WA. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. The median Visual And Performing Arts program debt is $14,657. Read the full report on Spokane Falls Community College
Northern Virginia Community College placed #50 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Set in Annandale, VA, Northern Virginia Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Northern Virginia Community College Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $18,250 in debt. Get the full Northern Virginia Community College report
Los Angeles Trade Technical College landed the #51 spot in the United States this year. Set in Los Angeles, CA, Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $14,833. Read the full report on Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Saint Louis Community College landed the #52 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Bridgeton, MO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $6,990. Typical Visual And Performing Arts student debt is $11,424. Read more about Saint Louis Community College
Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #53 on our 2026 list of the best Visual And Performing Arts schools. Located in Cleveland, OH, Cuyahoga Community College District is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Cuyahoga Community College District Visual And Performing Arts students take on a median of $11,795 in debt. More on Cuyahoga Community College District
Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture placed #55 among Visual And Performing Arts schools in the United States. Set in Santa Fe, NM, Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture is a public institution. About 11% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,920. Read more about Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture
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 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 Master’s 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. 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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