2027 Best Value Painting Schools
[Painting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/painting/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 41 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value painting schools.
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Finding the Best Value Painting School for You
Where you study painting affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Painting Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
See how we build our rankings
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Painting Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
2027 Best Value Painting Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in painting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Painting Schools
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #1 spot for value among painting schools in the United States. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Painting graduates carry a median of $13,667 in student loans. Early-career painting graduates make about $65,681. That is a strong return on a $13,667 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in painting will find it at Rhode Island College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Painting graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $28,241. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in painting will find it at Ferris State University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $27,000. Early-career painting graduates make about $24,540. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Suny College At Buffalo one of the best values for painting. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $23,000. Painting graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $24,041 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Students looking for strong value in painting will find it at University Of Houston, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $21,845. Painting graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $26,482 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,845 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Maine came in at #6 for value in painting this year. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Painting graduates carry a median of $18,703 in student loans. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $21,058. Set against $18,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Oakland University came in at #7 for value in painting this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the painting program here. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Wichita State University placed #8 among the best values for painting. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Painting graduates carry a median of $28,150 in student loans. Early-career painting graduates make about $49,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
South Dakota State University earned the #9 position for value in painting this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the painting program here. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $51,260. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value painting schools. Located in the city of San Juan, Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,902, while out-of-state students pay about $8,502. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico generally make around $7,453. Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico admits about 100% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #11 position for value in painting this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $23,562. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $18,842. Set against $23,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Purchase College placed #12 among the best values for painting. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,016, with out-of-state students paying around $19,266. Students borrow a median of $23,850 to complete the painting program here. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $14,984. That is a strong return on a $23,850 median debt. Suny At Purchase College admits about 74% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis earned the #13 position for value in painting this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Painting graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #14 position for value in painting this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Students borrow a median of $28,850 to complete the painting program here. Early-career painting graduates make about $44,294. Set against $28,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #15 position for value in painting this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $27,000. Painting graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $23,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #16 for value in painting this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Painting graduates carry a median of $28,501 in student loans. Early-career painting graduates make about $44,776. That is a strong return on a $28,501 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #17 spot for painting value this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the painting program here. Early-career painting graduates make about $29,756. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University placed #18 among the best values for painting. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $26,380. Painting graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $54,513 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,380 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #19 for value in painting this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $23,374. Early-career painting graduates make about $20,934. Set against $23,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Missouri ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value painting schools. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,276 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,213 to complete the painting program here. Painting graduates of Columbia College Missouri earn a median of $47,962 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design came in at #21 for value in painting this year. Located in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,400, with out-of-state students paying around $43,400. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the painting program here. Early-career painting graduates make about $38,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design admits about 76% of applicants.
Boston University earned the #22 position for value in painting this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $27,226. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Alfred University placed #23 among the best values for painting. Located in the rural area of Alfred, Alfred University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,138. Painting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career painting graduates make about $22,178. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Alfred University admits about 74% of applicants.
Temple University earned the #24 position for value in painting this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the painting program here. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $24,558. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas City Art Institute earned the #25 position for value in painting this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Art Institute is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,550. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the painting program here. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Kansas City Art Institute generally make around $22,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas City Art Institute admits about 55% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Painting Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for painting this year:
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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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
