2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Southwest 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 48 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value fine arts schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Southwest Region
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
College Of The Mainland earned the #1 spot for value among fine arts schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $10,928. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values for fine arts. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $14,672 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $19,300. That is a strong return on a $14,672 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #4. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $17,687 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $21,891 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Tulsa Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
Houston Community College landed the #6 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar University earned the #7 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $26,988. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #8 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $19,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $19,506. That is a strong return on a $19,778 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Arizona Western College placed #9 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $44,895.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $23,551. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az placed #11 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $15,996. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $51,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lone Star College System placed #12 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $39,954. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
Midwestern State University earned the #13 position for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Students borrow a median of $26,415 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $35,589. Set against $26,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #14 position for value in fine arts this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Phoenix College earned the #15 position for value in fine arts this year. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,204 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. Set against $15,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $25,531. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $44,510. Set against $25,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa Community College placed #17 among the best values for fine arts. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Santa Fe Community College landed the #18 spot for fine arts value this year. Santa Fe Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Santa Fe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,851, compared with $4,131 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,267 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $51,935. Set against $15,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Estrella Mountain Community College placed #19 among the best values for fine arts. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,752 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,752 median debt.
Paradise Valley Community College came in at #20 for value in fine arts this year. Paradise Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,204 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $71,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rose State College earned the #21 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,030 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,407. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $13,451. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $50,860. That is a strong return on a $13,451 median debt.
Scottsdale Community College came in at #22 for value in fine arts this year. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $11,187 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. Set against $11,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture landed the #23 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Santa Fe, Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,920 in tuition and fees. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $29,835. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #24 spot for fine arts value this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. In-state tuition and fees average $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Students borrow a median of $20,959 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $55,134 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #25 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Fine Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fine arts value ranking:
Narrow Fine Arts Schools by State
View All Fine Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 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.
