2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in Arizona
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
Our analysis ranked Yavapai College the best value for a degree in fine & studio arts in Arizona. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,948, with out-of-state students paying around $9,486. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $14,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $52,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mohave Community College earned it the #2 place for fine & studio arts. Located in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,208 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,968. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $14,766. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Mohave Community College earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,766 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Rio Salado College one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Rio Salado College is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. That is a strong return on a $13,679 median debt.
Arizona Western College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $44,895.
Students looking for strong value in fine & studio arts will find it at Phoenix College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $15,204 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. Set against $15,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned the #6 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Mountain Community College landed the #7 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Median earnings reach $39,825 ten years out.
Estrella Mountain Community College earned the #8 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $21,752 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $78,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #9 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $10,447. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $46,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Community College Phoenix earned the #10 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $15,736. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Gateway Community College Phoenix generally make around $50,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Paradise Valley Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $14,204 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $71,136. That is a strong return on a $14,204 median debt.
Arizona State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $23,395 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $31,093. Set against $23,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Scottsdale Community College earned the #14 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $11,187 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $48,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Arizona University earned the #15 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $18,665 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $24,172 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
