[Fine Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/fine-arts/) 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 321 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fine arts students.
For return on investment in fine arts, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $22,788. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $22,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $9,630 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $27,582. That is a strong return on a $9,630 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny City College one of the best values 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $15,849 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $24,742 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,849 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $19,087. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $24,538. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton came in at #6 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $16,448. Fine Arts graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $22,839 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida landed the #7 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $16,863 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $23,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge landed the #8 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the fine arts program here. 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. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,818 to complete the fine arts program here. 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 landed the #10 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $14,447. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $28,726 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
California State University East Bay landed the #12 spot for fine arts value this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $16,625 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $33,220 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #13 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $17,687 in student loans. Fine Arts 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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $15,750. Fine Arts graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $21,288 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Northwest landed the #15 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $26,434 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $48,925. Set against $26,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Texas A And M International University earned the #16 position for value in fine arts this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $14,672 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $19,300 early in their careers. Set against $14,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #17 among the best values for fine arts. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. 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. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento placed #18 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $15,879 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $20,203. That is a strong return on a $15,879 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #19 for value in fine arts this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $25,724. 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. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $14,600. Fine Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $24,005 early in their careers. Set against $14,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida placed #21 among the best values for fine arts. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $22,036 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $23,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Florida State University came in at #22 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $20,222. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $26,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $24,818. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Southeast came in at #24 for value in fine arts this year. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,942 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $31,194 early in their careers. Set against $18,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach came in at #25 for value in fine arts this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $16,583. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $21,493. Set against $16,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Fine Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for fine arts this year:
This list is compiled 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 · 321 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 321 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/) 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.
