2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Maine
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for fine arts students.
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2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Maine
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fine Arts Schools
University Of Southern Maine earned the #1 spot for value among fine arts schools in Maine. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Colby College earned it the #2 place for fine arts. Set in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,600. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $22,016. 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. Colby College admits about 7% of applicants.
University Of Maine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $27,050 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $47,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
A rank of #4 makes Maine College Of Art one of the best values for fine arts. Maine College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $42,942 in tuition and fees. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Maine College Of Art generally make around $27,255. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
