by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fine Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/fine-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong fine arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fine arts students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fine arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Parkland College the best value for a degree in fine arts in Illinois. Parkland College is a large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,284, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $10,168. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $40,409. That is a strong return on a $10,168 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #2 place for fine arts. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $21,954 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Governors State University earned it the #3 place for fine arts. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,004. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $51,711. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
A rank of #4 makes Western Illinois University one of the best values for fine arts. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,000. Fine Arts graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $26,196 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $25,781 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $26,795. Set against $25,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #6 for value in fine arts this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $26,500. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $33,285. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #7 for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,356 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $28,669. Set against $21,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #8 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,280 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $25,259 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Illinois State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $20,125. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $35,967. Set against $20,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University landed the #10 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $26,380 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $54,513. That is a strong return on a $26,380 median debt. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.
Knox College came in at #11 for value in fine arts this year. Knox College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Galesburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,903. Students borrow a median of $26,420 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $27,822. That is a strong return on a $26,420 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Chicago placed #12 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,088. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $26,000. Fine Arts graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $22,765 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $58,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago came in at #14 for value in fine arts this year. School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $54,623 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago generally make around $24,253. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.