2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Minnesota

[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 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fine arts students.
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2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Minnesota
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fine Arts Schools
For return on investment in fine arts, no school beat University Of Minnesota Duluth this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $24,624 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $25,660. Set against $24,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
A rank of #2 makes Minnesota State University Mankato one of the best values for fine arts. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $38,717. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Carleton College, which ranked #3. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. In-state tuition and fees average $68,892. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $17,566 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Carleton College generally make around $45,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carleton College admits about 20% of applicants.
Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $45,484. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $30,250. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $19,524. Set against $30,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Macalester College earned it the #5 place for fine arts. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,104. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $22,147. Fine Arts graduates of Macalester College earn a median of $42,517 early in their careers. Set against $22,147 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.