2027 Best Value Art History Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Art History](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-history/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong art history education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 45 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value art history schools.
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2027 Best Value Art History Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art history, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Art History Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Michigan Ann Arbor the best value for a degree in art history in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,319 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $31,367. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #2 place for art history. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Art History graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $27,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $21,954 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ferris State University earned it the #4 place for art history. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Art History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $54,608. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Chicago earned it the #5 place for art history. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $15,854. Art History graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Lansing Community College came in at #6 for value in art history this year. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $16,700 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. Set against $16,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #7 for value in art history this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,356 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $28,669. Set against $21,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University earned the #8 position for value in art history this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $25,781. Art History graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $52,308 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,781 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for art history. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $21,128. Early-career art history graduates make about $27,114. That is a strong return on a $21,128 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Oakland University came in at #10 for value in art history this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Art History graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Art History graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $22,840 early in their careers. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #11 position for value in art history this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Art History graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $46,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #12 for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $20,948. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University came in at #13 for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $49,025. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #14 position for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $19,500. Art History graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $33,265 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #15 spot for art history value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $27,719 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $36,332. Set against $27,719 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #16 position for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Art History graduates carry a median of $19,316 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $30,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Cleveland State University earned the #17 position for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $27,978 in student loans. Art History graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $23,352 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,978 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Western Michigan University landed the #18 spot for art history value this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Art History graduates carry a median of $28,495 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $21,773. That is a strong return on a $28,495 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in art history this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Art History graduates carry a median of $26,849 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $29,186. That is a strong return on a $26,849 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University placed #20 among the best values for art history. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Art History graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $24,135 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University placed #21 among the best values for art history. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $47,887 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,250 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Kalamazoo College earned the #22 position for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $60,900 in tuition and fees. Art History graduates carry a median of $26,118 in student loans. Art History graduates of Kalamazoo College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,118 median debt. Kalamazoo College admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Toledo placed #23 among the best values for art history. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $21,392. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Students borrow a median of $29,259 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $22,631. That is a strong return on a $29,259 median debt. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Central Michigan University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $18,117. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Art History Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in art history:
Narrow Art History Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
