2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in Pennsylvania
[Fine & Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 79 schools to find the best return on investment for fine & studio arts students.
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2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in Pennsylvania
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 Delaware County Community College this year. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $14,866. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $40,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in fine & studio arts will find it at Montgomery County Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,690, with out-of-state students paying around $17,250. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $13,641. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $19,024. Set against $13,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Swarthmore College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,494. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $66,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in fine & studio arts will find it at Bucks County Community College, which ranked #4. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $13,068 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $37,711 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,068 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Westmoreland County Community College one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lehigh Carbon Community College landed the #6 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Students borrow a median of $14,450 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $39,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #7 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
Community College Of Allegheny County placed #8 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $47,420. That is a strong return on a $15,263 median debt.
Northampton County Area Community College earned the #9 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $18,900 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $35,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #10 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $25,694. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University placed #11 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Reading Area Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,480, with out-of-state students paying around $12,510. Students borrow a median of $13,979 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $49,248. Set against $13,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lycoming College earned the #13 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Lycoming College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Williamsport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,804. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Lycoming College earn a median of $25,858 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Lycoming College admits about 74% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #14 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $28,850. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $44,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Community College Of Philadelphia came in at #15 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,632 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $13,926 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Community College Of Philadelphia earn a median of $37,988 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $24,990. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania came in at #17 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $19,413 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #18 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #19 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,570, while out-of-state students pay about $15,824. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $25,269 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Messiah College earned the #20 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,240 in tuition and fees. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $26,195 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Messiah College generally make around $48,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Temple University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $24,558. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #22 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $23,477. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $26,709. Set against $23,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary landed the #23 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. In-state tuition and fees average $53,500. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary generally make around $26,472. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #24 among the best values for fine & studio arts. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $23,359 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $34,619 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,359 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Carnegie Mellon University earned the #25 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $32,597 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fine & studio arts value ranking:
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. 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 · 79 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
