2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Associate’s Degree Schools
[Fine & Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1469 schools to find the best return on investment for fine & studio arts students.
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2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine & studio arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in fine & studio arts in the United States. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Skyline College one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Mt San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #5 spot this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons placed #6 among the best values for fine & studio arts. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #7 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College came in at #8 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Irvine Valley College landed the #9 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College landed the #10 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $38,734. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College came in at #11 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Golden West College came in at #12 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College earned the #13 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Santa Monica College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #15 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $16,739. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Cerritos College placed #16 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #17 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College came in at #18 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Pasadena City College placed #19 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $9,191. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
West Valley College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Fresno City College earned the #21 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $7,234. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Moreno Valley College came in at #22 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $45,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College earned the #23 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage came in at #24 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $12,492. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College earned the #25 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in fine & studio arts:
Other Fine & Studio Arts Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Fine & Studio Arts rankings across degree levels:
View All Fine & Studio Arts Rankings >
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 · 1469 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
