2027 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in Massachusetts

[Fine & Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools to find the best return on investment for fine & studio arts students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine & studio arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
Our analysis ranked Bristol Community College the best value for a degree in fine & studio arts in Massachusetts. Bristol Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fall River. In-state tuition and fees average $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $9,482 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $37,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Bunker Hill Community College one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $11,893 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Bunker Hill Community College earn a median of $51,782 early in their careers. Set against $11,893 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mount Wachusett Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Mount Wachusett Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gardner. Students from in state pay about $6,160 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,080 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $11,497 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $43,883. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Bridgewater State University one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $29,595. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned it the #5 place for fine & studio arts. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $36,236 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Framingham State University came in at #6 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,920, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $28,843. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Williams College landed the #7 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $11,850. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $34,560. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Westfield State University earned the #8 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $33,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University came in at #9 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $16,616. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $36,980. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Amherst College landed the #11 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $70,480. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $15,398 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $59,271. That is a strong return on a $15,398 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $18,072 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #13 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $23,214. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design earned the #14 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,400, with out-of-state students paying around $43,400. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $38,090. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University landed the #15 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Boston University earn a median of $27,226 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Wellesley College earned the #16 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,176. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $11,075 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $48,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Hampshire College earned the #17 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the rural area of Amherst, Hampshire College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,896. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $26,500. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Hampshire College earn a median of $21,113 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Mount Holyoke College earned the #18 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Hadley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,018. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $18,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Smith College placed #19 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,178. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $20,171. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Clark University earned the #20 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,467 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,870 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $43,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clark University admits about 40% of applicants.
Suffolk University came in at #21 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,550. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $26,670 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Suffolk University generally make around $57,261. Set against $26,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suffolk University admits about 82% of applicants.
Wheaton College Massachusetts landed the #22 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Norton. In-state tuition and fees average $63,960. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $26,117 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Wheaton College Massachusetts earn a median of $28,574 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,117 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Lesley University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,256. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $24,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Lesley University generally make around $47,058. That is a strong return on a $24,833 median debt. Lesley University admits about 97% of applicants.
Brandeis University earned the #24 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,080 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $25,653. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $47,783. That is a strong return on a $25,653 median debt. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.
Montserrat College Of Art placed #25 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the suburb of Beverly, Montserrat College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,690. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $27,000. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Montserrat College Of Art earn a median of $21,543 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for fine & studio arts this year:
More Fine & Studio Arts Rankings
View All Fine & Studio Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.