by our College Data Analytics Team
[Art Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 437 schools to find the best return on investment for art studies students.
What’s on this page:
The right art studies school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Art Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Art Studies Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the art studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for art studies in the United States. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $9,630. Art Studies graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $27,582 early in their careers. Set against $9,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for art studies. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $19,087. Art Studies graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $24,538 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Skyline College one of the best values for art studies. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Santa Monica College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #6 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton came in at #7 for value in art studies this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $16,448. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $41,350. Set against $16,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #8 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
College Of The Canyons earned the #10 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College landed the #11 spot for art studies value this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
West Valley College placed #12 among the best values for art studies. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Cerritos College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College earned the #14 position for value in art studies this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Oklahoma City Community College earned the #15 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $13,919 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $39,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $36,525. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Ventura College came in at #17 for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge placed #19 among the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $15,000. Art Studies graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $25,359 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
College Of The Sequoias placed #20 among the best values for art studies. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College earned the #21 position for value in art studies this year. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $12,275. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #22 among the best values for art studies. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $14,692. Art Studies graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #23 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $14,447. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Pasadena City College landed the #24 spot for art studies value this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College landed the #25 spot for art studies value this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $9,347. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in art studies:
The following schools rounded out the strongest art studies values:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | El Camino Community College District | Torrance, CA | Full Report |
| #52 | California State University Fresno | Fresno, CA | Full Report |
| #53 | Nassau Community College | Garden City, NY | Full Report |
| #54 | Del Mar College | Corpus Christi, TX | Full Report |
| #55 | Fullerton College | Fullerton, CA | Full Report |
| #56 | Itawamba Community College | Fulton, MS | Full Report |
| #57 | Orange Coast College | Costa Mesa, CA | Full Report |
| #58 | Foothill College | Los Altos Hills, CA | Full Report |
| #59 | Chaffey College | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Full Report |
| #60 | The University Of Texas At Brownsville | Brownsville, TX | Full Report |
| #61 | Antelope Valley College | Lancaster, CA | Full Report |
| #62 | Sinclair Community College | Dayton, OH | Full Report |
| #63 | Norco College | Norco, CA | Full Report |
| #64 | California State University East Bay | Hayward, CA | Full Report |
| #65 | Long Beach City College | Long Beach, CA | Full Report |
| #66 | Merced College | Merced, CA | Full Report |
Also worth considering for value in art studies:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Art Studies. See all related rankings.
This list is compiled 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 · 437 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 437 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.