2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Arizona
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fine arts students.
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2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Arizona
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fine Arts Schools
Glendale Community College Glendale Az tops our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools in Arizona. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Arizona Western College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $44,895.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Phoenix College earned it the #3 place for fine arts. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $15,204 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $51,053. Set against $15,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mesa Community College earned it the #4 place for fine arts. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paradise Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $14,204 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Paradise Valley Community College generally make around $71,136. Set against $14,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Estrella Mountain Community College landed the #6 spot for fine arts value this year. Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Avondale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $21,752 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $78,359. That is a strong return on a $21,752 median debt.
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. That is a strong return on a $10,447 median debt.
South Mountain Community College came in at #8 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,825 ten years after entry.
Scottsdale Community College came in at #9 for value in fine arts this year. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $11,187 median debt.
Gateway Community College Phoenix placed #10 among the best values for fine arts. Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,736 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Gateway Community College Phoenix generally make around $50,350. That is a strong return on a $15,736 median debt.
Northern Arizona University landed the #11 spot for fine arts value this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $18,665 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $24,172. Set against $18,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arizona earned the #12 position for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $19,290. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $29,893. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
