by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong art history education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find the best return on investment for art history students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art history, balancing cost against outcomes.
Williams College tops our 2027 list of the best value art history schools in Massachusetts. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,560. Art History graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $34,560. That is a strong return on a $11,850 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Bridgewater State University one of the best values for art history. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $29,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in art history will find it at Harvard University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth one of the best values for art history. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Art History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $23,214. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $27,000. Early-career art history graduates make about $18,072. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design came in at #6 for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,400, while out-of-state students pay about $43,400. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $38,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Hampshire College placed #7 among the best values for art history. Located in the rural area of Amherst, Hampshire College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,896. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $26,500. Early-career art history graduates make about $21,113. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Wellesley College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,176. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $48,902 early in their careers. Set against $11,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $27,226. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Mount Holyoke College earned the #10 position for value in art history this year. Set in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,018. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $23,447. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $18,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount Holyoke College admits about 36% of applicants.
Smith College came in at #11 for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,178 in tuition and fees. Art History graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $20,171. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Clark University landed the #12 spot for art history value this year. Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,467. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $26,870. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $43,257. That is a strong return on a $26,870 median debt. Clark University admits about 40% of applicants.
Suffolk University placed #13 among the best values for art history. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,550 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,670 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Suffolk University generally make around $57,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suffolk University admits about 82% of applicants.
Wheaton College Massachusetts earned the #14 position for value in art history this year. Located in the suburb of Norton, Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $63,960 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,117 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Wheaton College Massachusetts generally make around $28,574. That is a strong return on a $26,117 median debt. Wheaton College Massachusetts admits about 68% of applicants.
Lesley University placed #15 among the best values for art history. Located in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,256. Students borrow a median of $24,833 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Lesley University generally make around $48,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Brandeis University placed #16 among the best values for art history. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,080. Art History graduates carry a median of $25,653 in student loans. Art History graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $47,783 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,653 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University landed the #17 spot for art history value this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $25,601. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Boston College came in at #18 for value in art history this year. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,702. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $18,101. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $66,132. That is a strong return on a $18,101 median debt. Boston College admits about 16% of applicants.
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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.