2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Master’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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong fine & studio arts education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1469 schools to find the best return on investment for fine & studio arts students.
What’s on this page:
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
For return on investment in fine & studio arts, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. 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 $33,582. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, 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 $33,627. That is a strong return on a $16,863 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #3 place for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. 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. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #4 place for fine & studio arts. 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. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $15,849. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $24,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. 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. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $24,538. Set against $19,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach landed the #6 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. 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. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $21,493 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Florida State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,222 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $30,765. Set against $20,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for fine & studio arts. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $32,650 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #9 for value in fine & studio arts this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $21,220 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #10 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $21,954 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
San Jose State University landed the #11 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #12 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $54,201. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University placed #13 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $23,395 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $34,424. Set against $23,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University landed the #14 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $25,781. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $26,795. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $23,551 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #16 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $55,569. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia placed #17 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $21,947. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $18,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of Houston came in at #18 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $21,845. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $26,482 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,845 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Williams College earned the #19 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $34,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #20 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $37,186. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of California Davis placed #21 among the best values for fine & studio arts. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $15,061 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $42,782. That is a strong return on a $15,061 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #22 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,656 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $34,241 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,656 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of North Texas ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $23,354. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Buffalo landed the #24 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $24,041. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #25 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $19,316 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $30,934. That is a strong return on a $19,316 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fine & studio arts value ranking:
Other Fine & Studio Arts Degree Levels
Explore the best-value fine & studio arts schools at other degree levels:
View All Fine & Studio Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 78 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.
