2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in South Carolina
[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 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value fine arts schools.
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2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in South Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fine arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Fine Arts Schools
Leading the list is University Of South Carolina Upstate, our #1 best value for fine arts in South Carolina. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,588, compared with $23,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $26,500. Fine Arts graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $35,203 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
A rank of #2 makes Coastal Carolina University one of the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $23,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Beaufort came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. University Of South Carolina Beaufort is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bluffton. In-state tuition and fees average $10,730, with out-of-state students paying around $21,776. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,971. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $38,254. Set against $27,971 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Lander University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,700, while out-of-state students pay about $21,300. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $26,937. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $37,548. Set against $26,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lander University admits about 81% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Charleston earned it the #5 place for fine arts. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $12,978, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $21,500. Fine Arts graduates of College Of Charleston earn a median of $24,070 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Clemson University placed #6 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $53,834. Set against $23,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #7 for value in fine arts this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,000. Fine Arts graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $27,467 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Carolina Columbia admits about 60% of applicants.
Converse College landed the #8 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the city of Spartanburg, Converse College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,240 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,715 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Converse College earn a median of $38,940 early in their careers. Set against $26,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
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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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
