2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Maryland

[Fine Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/fine-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for fine arts students.
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2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Maryland
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
Leading the list is Cecil College, our #1 best value for fine arts in Maryland. Cecil College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of North East. Students from in state pay about $5,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,830. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,952.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #2 place for fine arts. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $32,031. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Frostburg State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frostburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $24,834. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Frostburg State University generally make around $24,649. That is a strong return on a $24,834 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Salisbury University one of the best values for fine arts. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,084, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $24,239. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $20,632. That is a strong return on a $24,239 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Towson University earned it the #5 place for fine arts. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $17,978 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Towson University earn a median of $29,958 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #6 among the best values for fine arts. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,256, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $23,879. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
St Marys College Of Maryland landed the #7 spot for fine arts value this year. St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public school located in the rural area of St. Mary's City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,298, while out-of-state students pay about $31,374. Students borrow a median of $22,655 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $41,665. Set against $22,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Marys College Of Maryland admits about 69% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.