2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $28,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $22,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $15,849 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $24,742. That is a strong return on a $15,849 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #4 place for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $9,630 in student loans. 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.
Cuny Queens College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $12,818. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $24,910 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,818 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Nassau Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $11,850. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $38,734. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #7 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $16,739. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Hudson County Community College came in at #8 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,384, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $6,899. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $22,619. That is a strong return on a $6,899 median debt.
County College Of Morris ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $9,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $33,881. That is a strong return on a $9,250 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #10 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $13,559. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $51,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #12 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $47,248. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
Hudson Valley Community College earned the #13 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $12,868 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $43,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $14,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Princeton University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $10,888. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Montgomery College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,394, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. Students borrow a median of $11,230 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $24,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College landed the #17 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $35,562. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Essex County College came in at #18 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $12,472. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $37,915. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
Niagara County Community College came in at #19 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,894, while out-of-state students pay about $12,030. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $13,970 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Niagara County Community College generally make around $36,258. Set against $13,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware County Community College came in at #20 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,866 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $40,102. Set against $14,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sussex County Community College came in at #21 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,544, compared with $9,024 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Sussex County Community College earn a median of $27,179 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Onondaga Community College landed the #22 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $12,623 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $35,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Erie Community College landed the #23 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $12,580. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $37,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe Community College earned the #24 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $9,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $38,757. That is a strong return on a $9,481 median debt.
Bucks County Community College placed #25 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $13,068 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. That is a strong return on a $13,068 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for fine & studio arts this year:
Narrow Fine & Studio Arts Schools by State
Notes and References
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 · 247 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 94 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.
[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.
