2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Texas
[Fine Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/fine-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fine arts students.
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2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fine Arts Schools
Leading the list is College Of The Mainland, our #1 best value for fine arts in Texas. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $10,928. Fine Arts graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $6,868. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $14,672. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $19,300. Set against $14,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. 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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #6 among the best values for fine arts. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $19,778. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $19,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Houston Community College placed #7 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #8 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Lone Star College System ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midwestern State University earned the #10 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, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Students borrow a median of $26,415 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $35,589 early in their careers. Set against $26,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #11 for value in fine arts this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $23,796. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #12 position for value in fine arts this year. 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, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,531 to complete the fine arts program here. 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.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #13 position for value in fine arts this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $26,562 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $25,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $20,959 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $55,134. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas landed the #15 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $25,211. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Angelo State University came in at #16 for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $21,477. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $24,783. That is a strong return on a $21,477 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #17 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $21,369 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $25,274. Set against $21,369 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi landed the #18 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, compared with $20,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,475 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi generally make around $17,507. Set against $29,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Sam Houston State University placed #19 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $31,000. Fine Arts graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $30,999 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #20 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $26,928 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $28,445. That is a strong return on a $26,928 median debt. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
West Texas A And M University landed the #21 spot for fine arts value this year. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $22,333 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $43,515 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,333 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #22 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $24,057 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $25,927 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,057 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Houston Baptist University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,430. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $25,601. Fine Arts graduates of Houston Baptist University earn a median of $57,088 early in their careers. Set against $25,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of The Incarnate Word landed the #24 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,090. Students borrow a median of $28,028 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $51,876. That is a strong return on a $28,028 median debt. University Of The Incarnate Word admits about 98% of applicants.
Abilene Christian University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,200. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $56,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Fine Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fine arts value ranking:
View All Fine Arts Rankings >
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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
