by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for painting students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in painting, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in painting, no school beat Rhode Island College this year. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $23,500. Early-career painting graduates make about $28,241. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Southern Maine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in painting, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Students borrow a median of $18,703 to complete the painting program here. Early-career painting graduates make about $21,058. Set against $18,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Students looking for strong value in painting will find it at Massachusetts College Of Art And Design, which ranked #3. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,400, while out-of-state students pay about $43,400. Painting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Massachusetts College Of Art And Design generally make around $38,090. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design admits about 76% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in painting will find it at Boston University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Painting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $27,226. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Hartford one of the best values for painting. University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. In-state tuition and fees average $49,075. Painting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career painting graduates make about $34,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Hartford admits about 96% of applicants.
Montserrat College Of Art landed the #6 spot for painting value this year. Montserrat College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Beverly. Students from in state pay about $40,690 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the painting program here. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Montserrat College Of Art generally make around $21,543. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Maine College Of Art landed the #7 spot for painting value 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 painting program here. Early-career painting graduates make about $27,255. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Rhode Island School Of Design placed #8 among the best values for painting. Rhode Island School Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the painting program here. Early-career painting graduates make about $22,396. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rhode Island School Of Design admits about 19% of applicants.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.