by our College Data Analytics Team
[Art Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value art studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is El Paso Community College, our #1 best value for art studies in Texas. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $8,542. Art Studies graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $9,347 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At Brownsville earned it the #2 place for art studies. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $10,058. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $17,687 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $21,891 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Austin Community College District came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College came in at #6 for value in art studies this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,778 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $19,506. That is a strong return on a $19,778 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Tyler Junior College landed the #8 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas Womans University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $26,019 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $35,115. Set against $26,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #10 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $23,551. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Blinn College earned the #11 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,890, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $43,408. Set against $16,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #12 for value in art studies this year. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $20,959 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $55,134. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #14 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $26,562 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $25,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Houston ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,845 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $26,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University earned the #16 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $25,362. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Texas placed #17 among the best values for art studies. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $24,000. Art Studies graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $25,211 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi landed the #18 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $20,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,475 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi generally make around $17,507. That is a strong return on a $29,475 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $26,928 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $28,445. Set against $26,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas Tech University earned the #20 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $27,846 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $34,428. Set against $27,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
West Texas A And M University earned the #21 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, while out-of-state students pay about $10,996. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $22,333. Early-career art studies graduates make about $43,515. That is a strong return on a $22,333 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #22 among the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $24,057 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $25,927. That is a strong return on a $24,057 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of The Incarnate Word earned the #23 position for value in art studies this year. University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $37,090. Students borrow a median of $28,028 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of University Of The Incarnate Word earn a median of $51,876 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,028 median debt. Roughly 98% 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.