2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Ohio
[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 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fine arts students.
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2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Ohio
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
Our analysis ranked Youngstown State University the best value for a degree in fine arts in Ohio. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $29,203. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Akron Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $25,919 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $22,837 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cleveland State University earned it the #3 place for fine arts. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,978 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $23,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Otterbein University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the suburb of Westerville, Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,548. Students borrow a median of $25,282 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Otterbein University generally make around $45,871. Set against $25,282 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
A rank of #5 makes Kent State University At Kent one of the best values for fine arts. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $28,501. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $19,138. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $26,000. Fine Arts graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $29,756 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
The College Of Wooster earned the #7 position for value in fine arts this year. Located in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,640 in tuition and fees. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $25,936 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from The College Of Wooster generally make around $32,382. That is a strong return on a $25,936 median debt. The College Of Wooster admits about 60% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in fine arts this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $31,128. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $28,943. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $29,431. That is a strong return on a $28,943 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Columbus College Of Art And Design ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Columbus College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $40,825. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $25,751. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbus College Of Art And Design admits about 68% of applicants.
Xavier University landed the #11 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,425. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $26,614. Fine Arts graduates of Xavier University earn a median of $55,045 early in their careers. Set against $26,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Oberlin College landed the #12 spot for fine arts value this year. Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oberlin. Students from in state pay about $67,366 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Oberlin College generally make around $25,146. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
Denison University came in at #13 for value in fine arts this year. Set in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,000. Students borrow a median of $25,360 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $39,797. That is a strong return on a $25,360 median debt. Denison University admits about 17% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
