2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in New York
[Fine & Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 102 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 New York
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
For return on investment in fine & studio arts, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $10,000. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $28,185 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $12,000. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $22,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in fine & studio arts will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $9,630 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $27,582 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $15,849. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $24,742. Set against $15,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #5 place for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,818 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $24,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny Queensborough Community College placed #6 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $16,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College landed the #7 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $38,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,850 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #8 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $13,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #9 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Hudson Valley Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $12,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $43,989. That is a strong return on a $12,868 median debt.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College placed #11 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $7,858. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $35,562. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $14,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Niagara County Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $13,970. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Niagara County Community College generally make around $36,258. That is a strong return on a $13,970 median debt.
Onondaga Community College placed #14 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Onondaga Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $12,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Erie Community College placed #15 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $12,580. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $37,069. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College came in at #16 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Students borrow a median of $9,481 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,481 median debt.
Suny Empire State College landed the #17 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,125 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $39,946 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mohawk Valley Community College placed #18 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $11,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Mohawk Valley Community College generally make around $38,373. That is a strong return on a $11,900 median debt.
Suny College At Buffalo ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $23,000. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $24,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Suny College At Brockport landed the #20 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $23,000. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $26,855 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Jamestown Community College earned the #21 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Jamestown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Jamestown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,840. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $12,800. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Jamestown Community College generally make around $35,520. Set against $12,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny At Fredonia landed the #22 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, while out-of-state students pay about $19,771. Students borrow a median of $25,806 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $34,764. That is a strong return on a $25,806 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Plattsburgh earned the #23 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,035, while out-of-state students pay about $18,945. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $25,072. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $25,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University came in at #24 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $16,000. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art earned the #25 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of New York, Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,820. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $16,805. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $16,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 21% 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:
More Fine & Studio Arts Rankings
View All Fine & Studio Arts Rankings >
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 · 102 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 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.
