2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine & studio arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among fine & studio arts schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $16,863. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $28,710. That is a strong return on a $16,863 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #2 place for fine & studio arts. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $28,726. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Berea College one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,658. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Berea College earn a median of $20,036 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,724 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $31,448 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,724 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Students looking for strong value in fine & studio arts will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,222 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $28,775 early in their careers. Set against $20,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #6 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $28,734. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $16,750. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $23,843 early in their careers. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida earned the #9 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $22,036. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $23,324 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,036 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Florida International University placed #10 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $17,250. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $22,334. Set against $17,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Itawamba Community College placed #11 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,420, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $40,832. Set against $10,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #12 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $22,980 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $22,967. Set against $22,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #13 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,600 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $24,005. Set against $14,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Marshall University placed #14 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,293 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $24,475. That is a strong return on a $25,293 median debt. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Murray State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $21,715. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of North Florida ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $31,770. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Holmes Community College came in at #17 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $13,191 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $32,145 early in their careers. Set against $13,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #18 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $18,745. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #19 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $24,760 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $29,084. That is a strong return on a $24,760 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Eastern Kentucky University earned the #20 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $27,375. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $25,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earned the #21 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $40,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia landed the #22 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $22,375. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $23,530. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia placed #23 among the best values for fine & studio arts. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $21,947 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $26,323. Set against $21,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Thomas Nelson Community College earned the #24 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,088, with out-of-state students paying around $11,526. Students borrow a median of $14,402 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Thomas Nelson Community College generally make around $36,758. Set against $14,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nicholls State University landed the #25 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Thibodaux. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,149, with out-of-state students paying around $9,242. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $20,966 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Nicholls State University generally make around $33,877. Set against $20,966 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nicholls State University admits about 91% of applicants.
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
This ranking is produced 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 · 279 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 106 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
