Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in metal & jewelry arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is University Of Washington Seattle Campus, our #1 best value for metal & jewelry arts in the United States. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for metal & jewelry arts graduates is $13,667. Early-career metal & jewelry arts graduates make about $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Students looking for strong value in metal & jewelry arts will find it at Rhode Island College, which ranked #2. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Metal & Jewelry Arts graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Metal & Jewelry Arts graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $28,241 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for metal & jewelry arts. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Metal & Jewelry Arts graduates carry a median of $19,319 in student loans. Early-career metal & jewelry arts graduates make about $66,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
A rank of #4 makes Ferris State University one of the best values for metal & jewelry arts. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Metal & Jewelry Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career metal & jewelry arts graduates make about $24,540. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny College At Buffalo earned it the #5 place for metal & jewelry arts. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Metal & Jewelry Arts graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, metal & jewelry arts degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,412. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #6 for value in metal & jewelry arts this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,850 to complete the metal & jewelry arts program here. Soon after graduation, metal & jewelry arts degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $44,294. Set against $28,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Fashion Institute Of Technology ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value metal & jewelry arts schools. Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,174, while out-of-state students pay about $22,696. Students borrow a median of $24,683 to complete the metal & jewelry arts program here. Soon after graduation, metal & jewelry arts degree recipients from Fashion Institute Of Technology generally make around $23,428. Set against $24,683 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fashion Institute Of Technology admits about 60% of applicants.
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design came in at #8 for value in metal & jewelry arts this year. Located in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,400, with out-of-state students paying around $43,400. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the metal & jewelry arts program here. Soon after graduation, metal & jewelry arts degree recipients from Massachusetts College Of Art And Design generally make around $21,461. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design admits about 76% of applicants.
Maine College Of Art earned the #9 position for value in metal & jewelry arts this year. Located in the city of Portland, Maine College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,942. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the metal & jewelry arts program here. Metal & Jewelry Arts graduates of Maine College Of Art earn a median of $24,555 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Maine College Of Art admits about 76% of applicants.
Academy Of Art University placed #10 among the best values for metal & jewelry arts. Set in the city of San Francisco, Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,736. Typical student debt for metal & jewelry arts graduates is $41,870. Early-career metal & jewelry arts graduates make about $50,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Syracuse University placed #11 among the best values for metal & jewelry arts. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Metal & Jewelry Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Metal & Jewelry Arts graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland Institute Of Art came in at #12 for value in metal & jewelry arts this year. Cleveland Institute Of Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $48,700. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the metal & jewelry arts program here. Soon after graduation, metal & jewelry arts degree recipients from Cleveland Institute Of Art generally make around $18,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
California College Of The Arts landed the #13 spot for metal & jewelry arts value this year. California College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,226. Students borrow a median of $29,250 to complete the metal & jewelry arts program here. Early-career metal & jewelry arts graduates make about $17,690. That is a strong return on a $29,250 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rhode Island School Of Design landed the #14 spot for metal & jewelry arts value this year. Rhode Island School Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for metal & jewelry arts graduates is $27,000. Metal & Jewelry Arts graduates of Rhode Island School Of Design earn a median of $16,510 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rhode Island School Of Design admits about 19% of applicants.
Explore the best-value metal & jewelry arts schools at other degree levels:
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
[Metal & Jewelry Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/metal-and-jewelry-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.
