by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 13 schools to find the best return on investment for art studies students.
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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 Mohave Community College, our #1 best value for art studies in Arizona. Located in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,208, with out-of-state students paying around $7,968. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $14,766. Early-career art studies graduates make about $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rio Salado College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Rio Salado College is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $13,679. Art Studies graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Cochise College one of the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,280, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $12,013 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $40,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned it the #4 place for art studies. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at Phoenix College, which ranked #5. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $15,204. Early-career art studies graduates make about $51,053. Set against $15,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa Community College earned the #6 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Paradise Valley Community College earned the #7 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,204 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Paradise Valley Community College generally make around $71,136. Set against $14,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Estrella Mountain Community College placed #8 among the best values for art studies. Set in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $21,752 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,752 median debt.
Chandler Gilbert Community College landed the #9 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Mountain Community College placed #10 among the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Phoenix, South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,825.
Scottsdale Community College earned the #11 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $11,187 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,187 median debt.
Gateway Community College Phoenix ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,736 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Gateway Community College Phoenix earn a median of $50,350 early in their careers. Set against $15,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University came in at #13 for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $23,395 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $31,093 early in their careers. Set against $23,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.