[Art Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 302 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for art studies students.
For return on investment in art studies, no school beat Cuny Lehman College this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $9,630 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $27,582 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,630 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $19,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $24,538. Set against $19,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #3 place for art studies. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $16,448 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $22,839. That is a strong return on a $16,448 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #4 place for art studies. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at California State University San Bernardino, which ranked #5. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $14,447. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #6 spot for art studies value this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $17,687. Art Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $21,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,687 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield placed #7 among the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #8 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $21,288 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #9 among the best values for art studies. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno landed the #10 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $14,937. Early-career art studies graduates make about $22,167. Set against $14,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University East Bay came in at #11 for value in art studies this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $16,625 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $33,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #12 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $28,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento came in at #13 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $15,879. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $20,203. Set against $15,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Indiana University Southeast ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,942 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $43,463. Set against $18,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Central Florida ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $22,036 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $23,324 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for art studies. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $24,818. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
California State University Long Beach came in at #17 for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $16,583 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $21,493 early in their careers. Set against $16,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Channel Islands came in at #18 for value in art studies this year. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,159, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of California State University Channel Islands earn a median of $22,129 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Marshall University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $25,293. Art Studies graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $24,475 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Florida International University placed #20 among the best values for art studies. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $17,250 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $22,334. Set against $17,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $14,405. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $25,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida placed #22 among the best values for art studies. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $23,843. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Rhode Island College earned the #23 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $28,241. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida earned the #24 position for value in art studies this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $49,208. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #25 among the best values for art studies. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $19,319 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $31,367. Set against $19,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Art Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s art studies value ranking:
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 · 302 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 302 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).
[Art Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
