2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Indiana

[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.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value fine arts schools.
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2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Indiana
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fine arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Fine Arts Schools
For return on investment in fine arts, no school beat Indiana University Northwest 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $26,434 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $48,925. Set against $26,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Northwest admits about 73% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Indiana University Southeast, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. 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.
Ivy Tech Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $11,889. Fine Arts graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, which ranked #4. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $27,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University South Bend earned it the #5 place for fine arts. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $25,295 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $23,308 early in their careers. Set against $25,295 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana placed #6 among the best values for fine arts. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,637 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $28,890. Set against $22,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $21,128 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $27,114. That is a strong return on a $21,128 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,959 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $53,952. Set against $26,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Ball State University placed #9 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $25,637 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $47,863. Set against $25,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $33,265. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne placed #11 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $26,873. Fine Arts graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $27,775 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Indianapolis came in at #12 for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,200. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $26,699. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $52,298. Set against $26,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Indianapolis admits about 66% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.