[Fine & Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 516 schools to find the best return on investment for fine & studio arts students.
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for fine & studio arts in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $22,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in fine & studio arts will find it at Princeton University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #3 place for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $22,633. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $9,630 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $27,582. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $15,849 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $24,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #6 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $19,087. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $24,538 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Fullerton earned the #7 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $16,448 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $22,839. Set against $16,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Florida ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,863 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $23,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College placed #9 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $12,818 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $24,910 early in their careers. Set against $12,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University Northridge placed #10 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $25,359. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #11 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $14,447. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,687 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $21,891 early in their careers. Set against $17,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #13 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Set against $15,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Indiana University Northwest came in at #14 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $26,434. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $48,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Texas A And M International University placed #15 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $14,672 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $19,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #16 for value in fine & studio arts this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $21,288 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #17 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #18 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $51,911. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno came in at #19 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,937 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $22,167. Set against $14,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University East Bay came in at #20 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $16,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $33,220. That is a strong return on a $16,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #21 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $28,726. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
California State University Sacramento placed #22 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $15,879. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $20,203. That is a strong return on a $15,879 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $25,724 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $31,448 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Indiana University Southeast came in at #24 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $18,942. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $31,194. That is a strong return on a $18,942 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida placed #25 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $22,036 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $23,324 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,036 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in fine & studio arts:
This ranking is produced 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 · 516 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 516 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).
[Fine & Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
