by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 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.
Our analysis ranked Vanderbilt University the best value for a degree in art history in Tennessee. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $13,975. Art History graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art history, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $28,850. Art History graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $26,451 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,850 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Tennessee earned it the #3 place for art history. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $23,661. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sewanee The University Of The South earned it the #4 place for art history. Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sewanee. Students from in state pay about $56,120 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $22,091. Art History graduates of Sewanee The University Of The South earn a median of $36,927 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Rhodes College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,110. Students borrow a median of $23,078 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $40,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Belmont University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,540 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $23,447. Early-career art history graduates make about $49,699. Set against $23,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
This list is compiled 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.