by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value fine arts schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in fine arts, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $16,863 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $28,710. That is a strong return on a $16,863 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $14,750. Fine Arts graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $28,726 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #3 place for fine arts. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $17,250. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $22,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at The University Of West Florida, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $23,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $28,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of Central Florida placed #6 among the best values for fine arts. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $22,036 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $23,324. Set against $22,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida placed #7 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $31,770. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Florida State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $20,222 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $28,775 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,222 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Jacksonville University earned the #9 position for value in fine arts this year. Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,150. Students borrow a median of $25,619 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Jacksonville University generally make around $72,608. Set against $25,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Flagler College St Augustine earned the #10 position for value in fine arts this year. Flagler College St Augustine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Augustine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,900. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $26,250. Fine Arts graduates of Flagler College St Augustine earn a median of $18,694 early in their careers. Set against $26,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Miami came in at #11 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $57,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Ringling College Of Art And Design landed the #12 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the city of Sarasota, Ringling College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,900. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Ringling College Of Art And Design generally make around $18,932. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.