2027 Best Value Painting Bachelor’s Degree 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 38 schools to find the best return on investment for painting students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Painting Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the painting degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Painting Schools
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #1 spot for value among painting schools in the United States. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Painting graduates carry a median of $13,667 in student loans. Painting graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,667 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in painting will find it at Rhode Island College, which ranked #2. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the painting program here. Early-career painting graduates make about $28,241. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny College At Buffalo earned it the #3 place for painting. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the painting program here. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $24,041. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Houston one of the best values for painting. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Painting graduates carry a median of $21,845 in student loans. Early-career painting graduates make about $26,482. That is a strong return on a $21,845 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Southern Maine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in painting, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Students borrow a median of $18,703 to complete the painting program here. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $21,058. That is a strong return on a $18,703 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value painting schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Painting graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Early-career painting graduates make about $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Wichita State University earned the #7 position for value in painting this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $28,150 to complete the painting program here. Early-career painting graduates make about $49,278. That is a strong return on a $28,150 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico placed #8 among the best values for painting. Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico is a small public school located in the city of San Juan. Students from in state pay about $4,902 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,502. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico generally make around $7,453. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #9 position for value in painting this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Students borrow a median of $23,562 to complete the painting program here. Painting graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $18,842 early in their careers. Set against $23,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Suny At Purchase College placed #10 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. Painting graduates carry a median of $23,850 in student loans. 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. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis earned the #11 position for value in painting this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the painting program here. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #12 for value in painting this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Painting graduates carry a median of $28,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $44,294. That is a strong return on a $28,850 median debt. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #13 position for value in painting this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Painting graduates carry a median of $28,501 in student loans. Painting graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $44,776 early in their careers. Set against $28,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in painting this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $26,000. Painting graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $29,053 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Bradley University landed the #15 spot for painting value this year. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,160. Students borrow a median of $26,380 to complete the painting program here. Painting graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $54,513 early in their careers. Set against $26,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #16 among the best values for painting. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Painting graduates carry a median of $23,374 in student loans. Painting graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $21,916 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Columbia College Missouri landed the #17 spot for painting value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,276. Painting graduates carry a median of $29,213 in student loans. 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 earned the #18 position for value in painting this year. Set in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,400, compared with $43,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the painting program here. Painting graduates of Massachusetts College Of Art And Design earn a median of $21,461 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value painting schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the painting program here. Painting graduates of Boston University earn a median of $17,374 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Alfred University placed #20 among the best values for painting. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Alfred University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,138. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the painting program here. Early-career painting graduates make about $22,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Alfred University admits about 74% of applicants.
Temple University earned the #21 position for value in painting this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. 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. Painting graduates of Temple University earn a median of $22,108 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Kansas City Art Institute landed the #22 spot for painting value this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Art Institute is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,550. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $27,000. Early-career painting graduates make about $22,906. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland Institute Of Art landed the #23 spot for painting value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland Institute Of Art is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,700. Painting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Painting graduates of Cleveland Institute Of Art earn a median of $18,839 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Hartford landed the #24 spot for painting value this year. Set in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,075. Painting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from University Of Hartford generally make around $25,465. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Arcadia University came in at #25 for value in painting this year. Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Glenside. Students from in state pay about $49,610 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $26,975. Early-career painting graduates make about $22,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Painting Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for painting this year:
Other Painting Degree Levels
Explore the best-value painting schools at other degree levels:
View All Painting Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
