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.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value art history schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art history, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Santa Fe Community College, our #1 best value for art history in New Mexico. Set in the rural area of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,851, with out-of-state students paying around $4,131. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $15,267. Early-career art history graduates make about $51,935. That is a strong return on a $15,267 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture earned it the #2 place for art history. Located in the rural area of Santa Fe, Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,920. Early-career art history graduates make about $29,835. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in art history will find it at University Of New Mexico Main Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $21,994 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
