# Best Master's in Visual

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 50 | Category: Masters
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-arts

## Methodology

Master's programs ranked by graduate earnings, mobility, and program concentration in Visual & Performing Arts

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

When considering a master's degree in visual and performing arts, students are often looking for programs that not only foster creativity but also lead to solid career outcomes. The schools on this list excel in preparing graduates for the job market, as evidenced by the average earnings of $78,351 for graduates from these programs. 

What sets the top programs apart is their impressive graduation rates, low debt levels, and strong mobility outcomes. These factors indicate that graduates are not only completing their degrees but also finding success in their careers without being burdened by excessive debt. The list below highlights schools with the highest graduate earnings and completion rates in the field, providing a clear picture of what to expect. 

For instance, Rice University stands out with the highest earnings of $89,718 and a remarkable graduation rate of 95%. Meanwhile, the Fashion Institute of Technology, while offering a solid educational experience, has lower average earnings at $62,696 and a graduation rate of 82%. This contrast illustrates the trade-offs students may face when selecting a program.

## Key Findings

- Rice University graduates earn an average of $89,718, the highest on this list.
- Johns Hopkins University boasts a 94% graduation rate, indicating strong student support.
- The average net price across these programs is $17,787, balancing cost and quality.
- Graduates from these programs have an average debt of $12,000, keeping financial burdens manageable.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-cooper-union-for-the-advancement-of-science-and-art) | New York, NY | 81% | $83,847 | $13,269 | $15,000 | 0.18x |
| 2 | [Fashion Institute of Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/fashion-institute-of-technology) | New York, NY | 82% | $62,696 | $19,095 | $12,000 | 0.19x |
| 3 | [Johns Hopkins University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/johns-hopkins-university) | Baltimore, MD | 94% | $87,555 | $18,809 | $10,250 | 0.12x |
| 4 | [Williams College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/williams-college) | Williamstown, MA | 95% | $88,665 | $17,716 | $12,761 | 0.14x |
| 5 | [Rice University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rice-university) | Houston, TX | 95% | $89,718 | $13,370 | $11,000 | 0.12x |
| 6 | [Northwestern University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwestern-university) | Evanston, IL | 96% | $89,363 | $29,167 | $15,000 | 0.17x |
| 7 | [University of North Carolina School of the Arts](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-north-carolina-school-of-the-arts) | Winston Salem, NC | 78% | $38,357 | $14,906 | $23,870 | 0.62x |
| 8 | [Brown University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/brown-university) | Providence, RI | 96% | $93,487 | $25,184 | $11,428 | 0.12x |
| 9 | [Vanderbilt University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/vanderbilt-university) | Nashville, TN | 93% | $91,565 | $15,846 | $14,000 | 0.15x |
| 10 | [Oklahoma City University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oklahoma-city-university) | Oklahoma City, OK | 65% | $54,655 | $22,857 | $20,835 | 0.38x |
| 11 | [Wellesley College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wellesley-college) | Wellesley, MA | 91% | $84,803 | $25,496 | $10,000 | 0.12x |
| 12 | [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/carnegie-mellon-university) | Pittsburgh, PA | 93% | $114,862 | $31,944 | $21,750 | 0.19x |
| 13 | [SUNY at Purchase College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/suny-at-purchase-college) | Purchase, NY | 62% | $45,092 | $18,913 | $21,067 | 0.47x |
| 14 | [Bowdoin College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bowdoin-college) | Brunswick, ME | 95% | $82,735 | $14,398 | $18,500 | 0.22x |
| 15 | [Yale University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/yale-university) | New Haven, CT | 96% | $100,533 | $23,777 | $12,975 | 0.13x |
| 16 | [Amherst College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/amherst-college) | Amherst, MA | 94% | $77,644 | $23,367 | $13,740 | 0.18x |
| 17 | [Washington University in St Louis](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/washington-university-in-st-louis) | St. Louis, MO | 94% | $86,182 | $21,786 | $17,500 | 0.2x |
| 18 | [Oberlin College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/oberlin-college) | Oberlin, OH | 80% | $58,343 | $38,645 | $26,000 | 0.45x |
| 19 | [Columbia University in the City of New York](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york) | New York, NY | 96% | $102,491 | $21,590 | $21,500 | 0.21x |
| 20 | [Swarthmore College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/swarthmore-college) | Swarthmore, PA | 93% | $80,257 | $23,149 | $17,500 | 0.22x |
| 21 | [University of Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-florida) | Gainesville, FL | 91% | $71,588 | $6,541 | $15,000 | 0.21x |
| 22 | [New York University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/new-york-university) | New York, NY | 88% | $82,509 | $37,050 | $20,500 | 0.25x |
| 23 | [CUNY Queens College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cuny-queens-college) | Queens, NY | 56% | $62,763 | $4,195 | $10,298 | 0.16x |
| 24 | [Dartmouth College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dartmouth-college) | Hanover, NH | 96% | $97,434 | $29,519 | $17,500 | 0.18x |
| 25 | [Belmont University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/belmont-university) | Nashville, TN | 71% | $55,930 | $33,147 | $20,500 | 0.37x |
| 26 | [University of Southern California](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-southern-california) | Los Angeles, CA | 92% | $92,498 | $32,740 | $18,000 | 0.19x |
| 27 | [CUNY Brooklyn College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cuny-brooklyn-college) | Brooklyn, NY | 55% | $60,752 | $3,103 | $11,000 | 0.18x |
| 28 | [Wesleyan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wesleyan-university) | Middletown, CT | 92% | $73,897 | $30,177 | $17,000 | 0.23x |
| 29 | [Smith College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/smith-college) | Northampton, MA | 89% | $64,027 | $27,579 | $17,550 | 0.27x |
| 30 | [CUNY Hunter College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cuny-hunter-college) | New York, NY | 59% | $63,163 | $2,984 | $11,000 | 0.17x |
| 31 | [Colby College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/colby-college) | Waterville, ME | 89% | $80,490 | $17,180 | $19,157 | 0.24x |
| 32 | [Webster University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/webster-university) | Saint Louis, MO | 63% | $50,876 | $27,047 | $23,000 | 0.45x |
| 33 | [Rhode Island School of Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rhode-island-school-of-design) | Providence, RI | 89% | $68,140 | $50,507 | $27,000 | 0.4x |
| 34 | [Colgate University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/colgate-university) | Hamilton, NY | 91% | $85,139 | $28,786 | $15,000 | 0.18x |
| 35 | [Massachusetts College of Art and Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/massachusetts-college-of-art-and-design) | Boston, MA | 69% | $43,582 | $24,100 | $25,755 | 0.59x |
| 36 | [University of Central Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-central-florida) | Orlando, FL | 77% | $58,308 | $10,411 | $18,190 | 0.31x |
| 37 | [Hampshire College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hampshire-college) | Amherst, MA | 56% | $46,938 | $24,034 | $26,893 | 0.57x |
| 38 | [Muhlenberg College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/muhlenberg-college) | Allentown, PA | 81% | $69,107 | $28,905 | $25,455 | 0.37x |
| 39 | [Brigham Young University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/brigham-young-university) | Provo, UT | 82% | $75,790 | $15,564 | $11,069 | 0.15x |
| 40 | [Stephens College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/stephens-college) | Columbia, MO | 45% | $43,071 | $23,459 | $27,000 | 0.63x |
| 41 | [Barnard College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/barnard-college) | New York, NY | 93% | $80,516 | $28,800 | $18,000 | 0.22x |
| 42 | [Hamilton College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hamilton-college) | Clinton, NY | 91% | $78,411 | $28,985 | $17,000 | 0.22x |
| 43 | [Tufts University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tufts-university) | Medford, MA | 93% | $83,214 | $39,998 | $16,250 | 0.2x |
| 44 | [Ithaca College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ithaca-college) | Ithaca, NY | 75% | $63,548 | $33,926 | $24,000 | 0.38x |
| 45 | [Emory University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/emory-university) | Atlanta, GA | 91% | $80,137 | $22,585 | $18,250 | 0.23x |
| 46 | [Carleton College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/carleton-college) | Northfield, MN | 90% | $75,525 | $25,407 | $16,750 | 0.22x |
| 47 | [San Jose State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/san-jose-state-university) | San Jose, CA | 67% | $78,988 | $13,760 | $15,000 | 0.19x |
| 48 | [Bates College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bates-college) | Lewiston, ME | 90% | $69,498 | $29,351 | $14,275 | 0.21x |
| 49 | [Emerson College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/emerson-college) | Boston, MA | 78% | $62,832 | $49,180 | $23,000 | 0.37x |
| 50 | [Bard College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bard-college) | Annandale-On-Hudson, NY | 70% | $46,543 | $34,649 | $24,254 | 0.52x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Master's in Visual." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-arts

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.