Bachelor of Arts [B.A] [Performance Studies] From Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University Bachelor of Arts in Performance Studies is a four-year full-time on-campus degree program open to international students with an F-1 visa. The program costs USD 35,460 annually (INR 3,382,199) in tuition plus USD 14,000 (INR 1,334,340) for living expenses, totalling USD 197,840 (INR 18,945,240) over four years. Fall intake begins in August; Spring intake begins in January. Applicants need TOEFL 80, IELTS 6.5, or Duolingo 105.

This 120-credit bachelor’s degree sits at the intersection of Art History, Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Ethnomusicology, Media Studies, and Dramatic Arts. The programme trains students in Visual and Performing Arts Analysis, Historical and Archival Research, Criticism, Ethnography, and Critical Theory. Students complete a two-semester individualized research project aligned with their career interests. Located in the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts, the programme offers access to cutting-edge media technology and a collaborative environment with working artists and practitioners.

• Interdisciplinary curriculum combining humanities, arts, and social sciences with practical performance research.
• Two-semester capstone research project reflecting individual interests and career goals.
• Strong post-graduation employment in media, entertainment, cultural institutions, and creative industries.

Also Check: Texas A&M University Performance Studies Admission

Texas A&M University Bachelor of Arts in Performance Studies Fees and Living Costs 2026

The four-year cost of a Performance Studies degree at Texas A&M for international students breaks down into tuition, mandatory fees, and living expenses. All figures below are current as of the 2025-2026 academic year.

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.77 as of June 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.

• Tuition covers classroom instruction, library access, and use of campus facilities for four years.
• Health insurance is mandatory for international students and includes medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Books and materials include textbooks, art supplies, and software for performance analysis and media projects.
• Living costs account for housing, food, transportation, and personal expenses in College Station.

Cost of Living in College Station for Performance Studies Students

College Station is a university town with moderate living costs. On-campus housing and off-campus student apartments dominate the rental market, keeping costs accessible for international students.

Key insight: College Station’s cost of living is 5 percent below the national US average. Indian students sharing apartments can reduce housing costs by 10-15 percent, bringing the annual living budget closer to USD 11,000 (INR 1,052,470) for disciplined budgeters.

Read More: Cost of Living in USA for Indian Students

Texas A&M University Bachelor of Arts in Performance Studies Admission 2026

Texas A&M University accepts international applicants for the Performance Studies BA programme. The acceptance rate for international students is approximately 40 percent, making admission competitive but achievable for strong applicants with clear academic records.

Texas A&M University ranks 26th in the US News National Universities Ranking 2024. The Performance Studies discipline is part of the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts, which benefits from the university’s strong reputation in interdisciplinary arts education and access to professional-grade facilities.

English Language Proficiency Requirements for International Students

Performance Studies students must demonstrate strong English communication skills because the programme centres on written analysis, group critiques, and presentation of research findings. TOEFL 80 is the minimum; many admitted students score 85-95.

• TOEFL 80: Approximately 8-12 weeks of prep from intermediate English level; TOEFL ibt costs INR 16,000.
• IELTS 6.5: Equivalent difficulty to TOEFL 80; more commonly available in India; costs INR 18,000.
• Duolingo 105: Digital test available online; results arrive in 48 hours; valid if submitted 2 weeks before the application deadline.
• Indian applicants with IELTS scores above 7.0 or TOEFL above 90 significantly strengthen their profiles for scholarship consideration.

Tip for Indian students: IELTS is more accessible in India with 90+ test centres. Schedule your test at least 4 weeks before the application deadline to allow time for result certification and transcript courier to Texas A&M.

Check Out: Texas A&M University Fees and Cost Breakdown

Texas A&M University Bachelor of Arts in Performance Studies Application 2026–2027

Applications to Texas A&M are accepted via the Common Application or the Texas A&M application portal. Processing takes 4-6 weeks after submission. International applicants must initiate visa sponsorship separately through the International Student and Scholar Services office after acceptance.

• High school transcripts must be certified and translated to English if originally in another language.
• TOEFL or IELTS results must be sent directly from the testing agency (College Board or IELTS); self-reported scores are not accepted.
• The application fee for international students is USD 75 (non-refundable).
• I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for F-1 visa) is issued within one week of enrolment confirmation.

Application tip: Start the transcript verification process (WES or NACES evaluation) 10 weeks before your intended deadline. WES processing takes 7-10 business days; combined with postal delays, plan for 6-8 weeks total lead time from India.

Read More: Texas A&M University International Student Admission Process

Texas A&M University Bachelor of Arts in Performance Studies Scholarships 2026

Texas A&M offers merit-based scholarships to outstanding international students, though grants for Performance Studies specifically are limited. Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement and English proficiency scores, not financial need.

The Alamo Scholarship provides USD 5,000-USD 10,000 annually to international undergraduates with competitive GPA (3.5+) and TOEFL scores above 90. The College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts also awards internal scholarships (typically USD 2,000-USD 5,000 per year) to students demonstrating exceptional artistic talent or unique cultural perspectives.

International students are encouraged to explore external funding from the Government of India, state education departments, or bilateral cultural exchange programmes. Collegedunia also lists India-specific scholarships for US study abroad. Even a partial scholarship of USD 5,000-USD 8,000 annually (INR 478,850-INR 765,360) reduces the four-year financial burden by INR 1,915,400-INR 3,061,440.

Scholarship reality: Full-ride scholarships for Performance Studies undergraduates are extremely rare. Plan to fund 70-80 percent of costs through family savings or education loans, with scholarships filling 20-30 percent of the total need.

Also Check: Texas A&M University Scholarships for Indian Students

Texas A&M University Bachelor of Arts in Performance Studies Salary and Graduate Outcomes 2026

Graduates with a BA in Performance Studies from Texas A&M typically move into creative industries, cultural institutions, media companies, and entertainment management roles. Career progression depends heavily on internship experience and individual initiative in building a professional network during the four-year degree.

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics (Entertainment, Arts, and Media Management), class of 2024 survey data, and Collegedunia graduate employment tracking.

After four years of on-campus work experience (permitted up to 20 hours weekly) and two unpaid internships (typical in arts sectors), graduates earn between USD 40,000 and USD 50,000 (INR 3,830,800 to INR 4,788,500) in their first full-time roles. Senior roles in production management or cultural institution leadership command USD 60,000-USD 85,000 (INR 5,746,200-INR 8,140,450) within 5-7 years.

ROI reality: The four-year investment (USD 211,040 or INR 20,128,720) is offset by 8-10 years of additional lifetime earnings and career growth in high-impact sectors. Performance Studies graduates who pursue graduate studies (MA, MFA) in their fields see salary acceleration to USD 70,000+ (INR 6,703,590+) by year 5 post-graduation.

Read More: F-1 OPT and Post-Study Work Permit Options

United States F-1 Visa and Post-Graduation Work Rights for Performance Studies

International students in the USA are sponsored by their university through the F-1 student visa, which permits full-time study and up to 20 hours weekly of on-campus work during the academic year. After graduation, Performance Studies graduates are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

• F-1 visa valid for the entire duration of study (4 years); multientry visa typical, allowing travel outside the US without losing status.
• OPT (Optional Practical Training) provides 12 months of full-time work authorisation after graduation in fields directly related to the degree.
• Performance Studies is not STEM-designated, so the additional 24-month STEM extension is not available; graduates receive the standard 12-month OPT window.
• Employers must file an EAD (Employment Authorization Document) petition with USCIS; processing takes 4-6 weeks, often done before the May graduation date to allow work start in June.
• H-1B visa sponsorship by employers is possible after OPT expires, but Performance Studies is a humanities degree and faces competition for H-1B slots; most graduates pursue work in arts-friendly visa categories or return to India after OPT ends.

Visa reality: The 12-month OPT window is critical for building US-based professional connections and exploring whether long-term US immigration aligns with your goals. Many Performance Studies graduates use OPT to advance to graduate studies (MA, MFA) in the US on F-1 status, extending their total US residency to 6-7 years.

Check Out: Complete Guide to F-1 Visa and International Student Life in the USA

Texas A&M University Bachelor of Arts in Performance Studies Ranking 2024

Texas A&M University holds a national ranking of 26th in the US News National Universities Rankings 2024. While the Performance Studies discipline as a standalone subject area is not separately ranked by QS, THE, or US News, the university’s overall strong reputation in liberal arts education and the College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts’ standing among peer institutions affirm the quality of the programme.

The College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts benefits from a cohesive undergraduate and graduate research community, world-class facilities for performance and media work, and faculty with active careers in professional arts and scholarship. Peer institutions offering similar Bachelor of Arts in Performance Studies degrees include the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and UC Berkeley. Texas A&M’s programme is distinguished by its interdisciplinary methodology, blending arts history with anthropological and ethnomusicological approaches.

Key insight: Ranking the Performance Studies degree by raw selectivity numbers misses the programme’s strength. The curriculum emphasises independent research, faculty mentorship, and student agency in shaping intellectual direction. For applicants prioritising intellectual freedom and hands-on creative work over prestige metrics, Texas A&M delivers exceptional value relative to cost.