2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in New Jersey
[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.
College Factual analyzed 36 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value fine & studio arts schools.
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2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in New Jersey
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fine & studio arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
Hudson County Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools in New Jersey. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,384 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,899 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Hudson County Community College earn a median of $22,619 early in their careers. Set against $6,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Essex County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $37,915. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Raritan Valley Community College earned it the #3 place for fine & studio arts. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $9,668. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
County College Of Morris came in at #4 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $9,250. 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.
A rank of #5 makes Princeton University one of the best values for fine & studio arts. 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. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Sussex County Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,544, while out-of-state students pay about $9,024. 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. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
Brookdale Community College earned the #7 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $37,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Passaic County Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Paterson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,300, with out-of-state students paying around $10,560. Students borrow a median of $9,581 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Passaic County Community College earn a median of $28,957 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Jersey City University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $19,326. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Atlantic Cape Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mays Landing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,594, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $12,002 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Atlantic Cape Community College earn a median of $37,141 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,002 median debt.
Kean University came in at #11 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $25,928. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Montclair State University landed the #12 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $21,934 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey landed the #13 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $23,892 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Camden ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $25,975. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Rutgers University Camden generally make around $21,908. That is a strong return on a $25,975 median debt. Rutgers University Camden admits about 66% of applicants.
Rutgers University Newark earned the #15 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Rutgers University Newark is a large public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $17,250, compared with $36,762 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $25,975. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark generally make around $21,908. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #16 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,266, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $25,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Rowan University earned the #17 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Students borrow a median of $21,708 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $26,119 early in their careers. Set against $21,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #18 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $25,975 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $20,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
The College Of New Jersey ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $33,214 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Drew University came in at #20 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Madison, Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,100. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $26,449. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Drew University earn a median of $34,305 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
