[Fine Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/fine-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 376 schools to find the best return on investment for fine arts students.
The right fine arts school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Fine Arts 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.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Fine Arts Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in fine arts in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $28,185. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $22,633. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $9,630 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $27,582. Set against $9,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #4 place for fine arts. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $15,849. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $24,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #5 place for fine arts. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,087 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $24,538 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton landed the #6 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $16,448. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $41,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Florida landed the #7 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $16,863 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $28,710. That is a strong return on a $16,863 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Northridge came in at #8 for value in fine arts this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $15,000. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $25,359. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College earned the #9 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $12,818. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $24,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #10 for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $14,447. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay earned the #11 position for value in fine arts this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $16,625. Fine Arts graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $33,220 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,625 median debt. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #12 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $14,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #13 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $28,726. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
College Of The Mainland came in at #14 for value in fine arts this year. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #15 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,687 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts 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 Stanislaus landed the #16 spot for fine arts value this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $21,288. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Northwest placed #17 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $26,434 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $48,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Hudson County Community College earned the #18 position for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,384, while out-of-state students pay about $9,248. Students borrow a median of $6,899 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $22,619. Set against $6,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M International University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $14,672. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $19,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Raritan Valley Community College earned the #20 position for value in fine arts this year. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $9,668. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bristol Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Bristol Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fall River. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Students borrow a median of $9,482 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $37,897. Set against $9,482 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
South Texas College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $6,868. Fine Arts graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Sacramento ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $15,879 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $20,203 early in their careers. Set against $15,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,724 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $31,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Fine Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fine arts value ranking:
Fine Arts is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
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 · 376 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 376 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).
[Fine Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/fine-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
