[Fine & Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1469 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fine & studio arts students.
Leading the list is California State University Dominguez Hills, our #1 best value for fine & studio arts in the United States. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $22,788. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $22,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $15,849. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $24,742. Set against $15,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in fine & studio arts will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,448 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $22,839. Set against $16,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #6 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $9,630. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $27,582 early in their careers. Set against $9,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Queens College came in at #7 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles placed #8 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $19,087 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $24,538 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,087 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida landed the #9 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. 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. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $16,863. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $23,793. That is a strong return on a $16,863 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield placed #10 among the best values for fine & studio arts. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
Berea College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,658. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Berea College earn a median of $20,036 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge earned the #12 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $15,000. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $25,359 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University landed the #13 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,672 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $19,300 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno placed #14 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #15 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #16 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $21,288. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #17 for value in fine & studio arts this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $14,447. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #18 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. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $28,726. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Princeton University earned the #19 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $67,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach landed the #20 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $16,583. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $21,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #21 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $25,724 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $31,448. That is a strong return on a $25,724 median debt. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #22 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $17,687. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $21,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Morris placed #23 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,526, compared with $16,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,797 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $44,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Morris admits about 75% of applicants.
Florida State University placed #24 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $20,222. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $26,785. Set against $20,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for fine & studio arts this year:
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 · 1469 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 437 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
