2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in New York
[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.
College Factual analyzed 36 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value fine arts schools.
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2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fine Arts Schools
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among fine arts schools in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $28,185 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $22,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $9,630 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $27,582. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #4 place for fine arts. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $15,849 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $24,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #5. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $12,818 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $24,910 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #6 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $8,750. Fine Arts graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $14,920 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #7 spot for fine arts value this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $14,688. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $51,911. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #8 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,858 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $35,562. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Erie Community College placed #9 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art landed the #10 spot for fine arts value this year. Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $46,820 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $16,805. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $16,678. That is a strong return on a $16,805 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Suny College At Brockport placed #11 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $26,855 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Jamestown Community College landed the #12 spot for fine arts value this year. Jamestown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Jamestown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,840. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $12,800 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $35,520. That is a strong return on a $12,800 median debt.
Suny At Albany landed the #13 spot for fine arts value this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $27,610 early in their careers. Set against $22,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Stony Brook University placed #14 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $16,000. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $60,047. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Finger Lakes Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the rural area of Canandaigua, Finger Lakes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,258, compared with $8,442 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,736 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Finger Lakes Community College earn a median of $40,467 early in their careers. Set against $16,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Oswego ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $28,759. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $41,899. That is a strong return on a $28,759 median debt. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
Suny College At Plattsburgh landed the #17 spot for fine arts value this year. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,035, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,072 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $25,762. Set against $25,072 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Fashion Institute Of Technology ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,174, compared with $22,696 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $18,342. Fine Arts graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $23,428 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,342 median debt. Fashion Institute Of Technology admits about 60% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #19 spot for fine arts value this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $23,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $18,842. Set against $23,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oneonta earned the #20 position for value in fine arts this year. Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oneonta. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,781 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $22,046 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $27,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Oneonta admits about 70% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton landed the #21 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $22,286. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $25,751. Set against $22,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University At Buffalo ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $19,500. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $24,370. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Cornell University earned the #23 position for value in fine arts this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Students borrow a median of $17,153 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $31,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Hamilton College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,960. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Hamilton College generally make around $48,806. Set against $16,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hamilton College admits about 14% of applicants.
Alfred University landed the #25 spot for fine arts value this year. Alfred University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Alfred. In-state tuition and fees average $38,138. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Alfred University earn a median of $22,178 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Fine Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for fine arts this year:
View All Fine Arts Rankings >
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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
