2026 Best Value Painting Schools in New York

[Painting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/painting/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value painting schools.
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2026 Best Value Painting Schools in New York
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
Our analysis ranked Suny College At Buffalo the best value for a degree in painting in New York. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Painting graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. 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. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Suny At Fredonia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in painting, landing the #2 spot this year. Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fredonia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, while out-of-state students pay about $19,771. Painting graduates carry a median of $25,806 in student loans. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Suny At Fredonia generally make around $34,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz is a great value for students pursuing a degree in painting, landing the #3 spot this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Students borrow a median of $23,562 to complete the painting program here. Early-career painting graduates make about $18,842. That is a strong return on a $23,562 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Purchase College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in painting, landing the #4 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Students borrow a median of $23,850 to complete the painting program here. Painting graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $14,984 early in their careers. Set against $23,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Alfred University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value painting schools. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Alfred University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,138. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $27,000. Painting graduates of Alfred University earn a median of $22,178 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Syracuse University earned the #6 position for value in painting this year. 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. Painting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Pratt Institute Main placed #7 among the best values for painting. Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,845. Painting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Pratt Institute Main generally make around $25,616. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Pratt Institute Main admits about 73% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.