[Art History](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-history/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 305 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for art history students.
The right art history school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Art History Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Art History Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in art history, no school beat Princeton University this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in art history will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Art History graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $28,185. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for art history. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Art History graduates carry a median of $16,863 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $28,710. That is a strong return on a $16,863 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #4 place for art history. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $16,448 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $41,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art history, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $15,849 in student loans. Art History graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $24,742 early in their careers. Set against $15,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #6 position for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $12,000. Early-career art history graduates make about $22,633. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #7 spot for art history value this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $9,630. Early-career art history graduates make about $27,582. Set against $9,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #8 for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $15,886. Early-career art history graduates make about $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #9 for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $19,319. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $31,367. Set against $19,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #10 for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $14,600 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $24,005 early in their careers. Set against $14,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College placed #11 among the best values for art history. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Art History graduates carry a median of $12,818 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $24,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento placed #12 among the best values for art history. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $15,879 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $20,203. Set against $15,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Florida State University came in at #13 for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,222 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $28,775 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Community College District earned the #14 position for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $10,052. Art History graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $16,739 early in their careers. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $13,559. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
California State University Long Beach landed the #17 spot for art history value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,583 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $21,493 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,583 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Art History graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $21,220. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University came in at #19 for value in art history this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Art History graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Art History graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #20 for value in art history this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $15,750. Art History graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $46,807 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #21 spot for art history value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $28,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #22 spot for art history value this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #23 among the best values for art history. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $17,687 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Channel Islands ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,159, compared with $19,759 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $22,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego came in at #25 for value in art history this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $15,218 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $21,777. Set against $15,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Art History Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in art history:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 305 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 305 ranked schools only.
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 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).
[Art History](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-history/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
