2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Michigan
[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. 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 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fine arts students.
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2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Michigan
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
Delta College tops our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools in Michigan. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Students borrow a median of $14,075 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $37,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Lansing Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $46,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Rapids Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,179, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $11,780. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $41,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ferris State University earned it the #4 place for fine arts. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $24,540. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Oakland University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $25,972. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $22,840. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $28,091. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $28,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Western Michigan University came in at #7 for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,495 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $21,773 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $27,250 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $28,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,250 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University placed #9 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $24,135 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University came in at #10 for value in fine arts this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $18,117. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Michigan State University earned the #11 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $30,875 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $19,566 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,875 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
College For Creative Studies ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Detroit, College For Creative Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,350 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,655. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from College For Creative Studies generally make around $26,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 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.
