by our College Data Analytics Team
[Drawing](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/drawing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for drawing students.
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Where you study drawing affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Drawing 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.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Drawing 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.
Learn more about our methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the drawing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Oxnard College earned the #1 spot for value among drawing schools in the United States. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in drawing will find it at San Diego Miramar College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Drawing graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Drawing graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in drawing will find it at Cerritos College, which ranked #3. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the drawing program here. Soon after graduation, drawing degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grossmont College earned it the #4 place for drawing. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Las Positas College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value drawing schools. Set in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,168 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,808. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,088 ten years after entry.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #6 among the best values for drawing. 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. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the drawing program here. Early-career drawing graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Merced College earned the #7 position for value in drawing this year. Set in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for drawing graduates is $9,024. Early-career drawing graduates make about $45,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #8 position for value in drawing this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Drawing graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Drawing graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palomar College earned the #9 position for value in drawing this year. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Chaffey College placed #10 among the best values for drawing. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,184, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Drawing graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Early-career drawing graduates make about $23,532. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
De Anza College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value drawing schools. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the drawing program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Sinclair Community College earned the #12 position for value in drawing this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Drawing graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Early-career drawing graduates make about $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College came in at #13 for value in drawing this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Typical student debt for drawing graduates is $9,205. Early-career drawing graduates make about $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College came in at #14 for value in drawing this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for drawing graduates is $14,105. Early-career drawing graduates make about $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Cuyamaca College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value drawing schools. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Cuyamaca College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,346, while out-of-state students pay about $11,314. Median earnings reach $32,435 ten years out.
Ferris State University landed the #16 spot for drawing value this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the drawing program here. Soon after graduation, drawing degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $24,540. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Chabot College earned the #17 position for value in drawing this year. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Typical student debt for drawing graduates is $14,122. Early-career drawing graduates make about $85,175. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value drawing schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,319 to complete the drawing program here. Soon after graduation, drawing degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. That is a strong return on a $19,319 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Oakland University placed #19 among the best values for drawing. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Drawing graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Early-career drawing graduates make about $22,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Santa Barbara City College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value drawing schools. Santa Barbara City College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. In-state tuition and fees average $1,240, compared with $10,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete the drawing program here. Early-career drawing graduates make about $68,184. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuesta College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value drawing schools. Located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,350 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,010. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete the drawing program here. Early-career drawing graduates make about $64,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State University came in at #22 for value in drawing this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Drawing graduates carry a median of $30,430 in student loans. Early-career drawing graduates make about $22,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbus State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Los Angeles Pierce College earned the #23 position for value in drawing this year. Located in the city of Woodland Hills, Los Angeles Pierce College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Students borrow a median of $12,477 to complete the drawing program here. Median earnings reach $44,521 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,477 median debt.
Los Angeles Mission College came in at #24 for value in drawing this year. Los Angeles Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Sylmar. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,834 ten years after entry.
Georgia State University landed the #25 spot for drawing value this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Drawing graduates carry a median of $27,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drawing degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $21,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for drawing this year:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Drawing. Browse the parent area of study.
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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.