by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fine & Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong fine & studio arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fine & studio arts students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine & studio arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
College Of The Mainland earned the #1 spot for value among fine & studio arts schools in Texas. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $40,788. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #3 spot this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $8,542. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $9,347. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $14,672 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $19,300 early in their careers. Set against $14,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,148 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Students borrow a median of $10,058 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College placed #6 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $7,476. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #7 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,687 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $21,891 early in their careers. Set against $17,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Community College District ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $16,500. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $19,223. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar University came in at #10 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #11 for value in fine & studio arts this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $19,778. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $19,506. That is a strong return on a $19,778 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Tyler Junior College earned the #12 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $14,869. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #13 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $23,551. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Lone Star College System came in at #14 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University earned the #15 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $26,019 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $35,115. Set against $26,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Blinn College earned the #16 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,890, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $16,465. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. Set against $16,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midwestern State University came in at #17 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,415 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $35,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #18 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #19 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $44,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #20 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $20,052. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $60,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #21 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,959 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $55,134. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #22 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $26,562. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $25,156 early in their careers. Set against $26,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Houston ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,845 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $26,482. Set against $21,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Stephen F Austin State University earned the #24 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $26,000. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $25,362. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of North Texas earned the #25 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $25,211 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for fine & studio arts this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.