by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fine arts students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fine arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Bucks County Community College, our #1 best value for fine arts in Pennsylvania. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $13,068. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $37,711. That is a strong return on a $13,068 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Northampton County Area Community College, which ranked #2. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Students borrow a median of $18,900 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $35,960 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $25,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $25,000. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $29,377. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $28,263 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Pennsylvania Western University earn a median of $37,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,263 median debt. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot for fine arts value this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $19,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Swarthmore College placed #7 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,494. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $66,971. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Messiah College landed the #8 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,240. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $26,195. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $48,957. That is a strong return on a $26,195 median debt. Messiah College admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Students borrow a median of $23,359 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $34,619. Set against $23,359 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne landed the #10 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Langhorne, Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,659. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $28,212. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $40,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Chatham University came in at #11 for value in fine arts this year. Chatham University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $45,001. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $24,261. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Chatham University generally make around $61,339. Set against $24,261 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Chatham University admits about 62% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #12 for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $23,477 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $26,709 early in their careers. Set against $23,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Bryn Mawr College landed the #13 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,920 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $23,069. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $35,668. Set against $23,069 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bryn Mawr College admits about 29% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts came in at #14 for value in fine arts this year. Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,600. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts earn a median of $17,887 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moore College Of Art And Design earned the #15 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Moore College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,674 in tuition and fees. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $23,847. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
This list is compiled 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.