2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Kentucky
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for fine arts students.
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2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Kentucky
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fine Arts Schools
Our analysis ranked Northern Kentucky University the best value for a degree in fine arts in Kentucky. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,724 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $31,448 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,724 median debt. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Murray State University earned it the #2 place for fine arts. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $24,619. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $21,715. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Morehead State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $17,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Western Kentucky University, which ranked #4. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $28,291 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Eastern Kentucky University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,375 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $25,596. Set against $27,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Georgetown College came in at #6 for value in fine arts this year. Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Georgetown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,840. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $26,938 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $43,752. That is a strong return on a $26,938 median debt. Georgetown College admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Louisville ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $25,000. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $28,485 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky landed the #8 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,614 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. Set against $23,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Centre College earned the #9 position for value in fine arts this year. Centre College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Danville. In-state tuition and fees average $52,820. Students borrow a median of $26,560 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $32,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Bellarmine University earned the #10 position for value in fine arts this year. Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. Students from in state pay about $48,770 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $46,024. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bellarmine University admits about 86% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
