2027 Best Value Painting Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Painting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/painting/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for painting students.
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2027 Best Value Painting Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in painting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Painting Schools
For return on investment in painting, no school beat South Dakota State University this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the painting program here. Painting graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,989 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Wichita State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value painting schools. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Painting graduates carry a median of $28,150 in student loans. Early-career painting graduates make about $49,278. Set against $28,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Washington University In St Louis one of the best values for painting. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in painting will find it at Columbia College Missouri, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,276. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $29,213. Early-career painting graduates make about $47,962. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in painting will find it at Kansas City Art Institute, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Art Institute is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,550. Painting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career painting graduates make about $22,906. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas City Art Institute admits about 55% of applicants.
Minneapolis College Of Art And Design earned the #6 position for value in painting this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,484. Students borrow a median of $30,250 to complete the painting program here. Painting graduates of Minneapolis College Of Art And Design earn a median of $19,524 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,250 median debt. Minneapolis College Of Art And Design admits about 48% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
