2027 Best Value Art Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Art Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong art studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 49 schools to find the best return on investment for art studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Art Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the art studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Art Studies Schools
Sinclair Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $19,319. Art Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $31,367 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at Lansing Community College, which ranked #3. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. Set against $16,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Southeast came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $18,942 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $43,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Xavier University earned it the #5 place for art studies. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $25,735. Early-career art studies graduates make about $51,753. Set against $25,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University landed the #6 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Students borrow a median of $28,091 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $28,289 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #7 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $40,891. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Grand Rapids Community College landed the #8 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,179, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Students borrow a median of $11,780 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $41,689 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Governors State University landed the #9 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $51,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Indiana University South Bend earned the #10 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $25,295 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $23,308. Set against $25,295 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $25,781. Early-career art studies graduates make about $26,795. That is a strong return on a $25,781 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana earned the #12 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $22,637. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $28,890. Set against $22,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Indiana State University landed the #13 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $26,959. Early-career art studies graduates make about $53,952. Set against $26,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Western Illinois University landed the #14 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $26,196 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Wayne State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $20,948. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $21,128 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Northeastern Illinois University placed #17 among the best values for art studies. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $20,319. Art Studies graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $30,845 early in their careers. Set against $20,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #18 among the best values for art studies. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $26,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #19 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $27,000. Art Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $38,585 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls earned the #20 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $30,084 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $28,801. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin River Falls admits about 82% of applicants.
Northern Michigan University placed #21 among the best values for art studies. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $23,786. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, with out-of-state students paying around $22,887. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $26,873 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $27,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Ball State University came in at #23 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $25,637. Early-career art studies graduates make about $28,405. That is a strong return on a $25,637 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #24 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $25,919 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $49,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #25 among the best values for art studies. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $29,334. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Art Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for art studies this year:
Narrow Art Studies Schools by State
More Art Studies Rankings
View All Art Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
