2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the New England Region
[Fine Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/fine-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong fine arts education at a price that pays off.
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 the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fine Arts Schools
Bristol Community College earned the #1 spot for value among fine arts schools in the New England Region. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $9,482. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $37,897. Set against $9,482 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Rhode Island College one of the best values for fine arts. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $23,500. Fine Arts graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $28,241 early in their careers. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Colby College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,600. Students borrow a median of $22,016 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Colby College earn a median of $46,772 early in their careers. Set against $22,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 7%.
University Of Southern Maine came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Students borrow a median of $18,703 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $21,058. Set against $18,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $29,595. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Capital Community College came in at #6 for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $22,100 early in their careers. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harvard University earned the #7 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Keene State College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,784, while out-of-state students pay about $26,840. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Keene State College generally make around $31,390. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Maine earned the #9 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $27,050 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $47,975. That is a strong return on a $27,050 median debt. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
Vermont Technical College landed the #10 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,952 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,296. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $24,208 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Vermont Technical College generally make around $30,233. That is a strong return on a $24,208 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Vermont placed #11 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $24,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Western Connecticut State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,401, with out-of-state students paying around $16,901. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $25,332. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Western Connecticut State University generally make around $47,559. Set against $25,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Connecticut State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Southern Connecticut State University landed the #13 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $25,000. Fine Arts graduates of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $26,549 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island landed the #14 spot for fine arts value this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Students borrow a median of $16,625 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $21,167. Set against $16,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Plymouth State University earned the #15 position for value in fine arts this year. Located in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,626 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,566. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Plymouth State University generally make around $30,491. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Eastern Connecticut State University earned the #16 position for value in fine arts this year. Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willimantic. In-state tuition and fees average $13,928, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Eastern Connecticut State University earn a median of $23,534 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Eastern Connecticut State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #17 for value in fine arts this year. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $54,669. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #18 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $18,072. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Wellesley College earned the #19 position for value in fine arts this year. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $48,902. Set against $11,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,202, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $26,368. Fine Arts graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $52,064 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Connecticut came in at #21 for value in fine arts this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $23,750. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $24,419 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,400, compared with $43,400 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Massachusetts College Of Art And Design generally make around $38,090. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design admits about 76% of applicants.
Mount Holyoke College came in at #23 for value in fine arts this year. Set in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,018. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Mount Holyoke College earn a median of $18,420 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,447 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College placed #24 among the best values for fine arts. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,178. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $20,171. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Dartmouth College placed #25 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,019. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $13,663 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $30,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Fine Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fine arts value ranking:
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Notes and References
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 · 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.
