2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the The Plains States 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 Minnesota Morris tops our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,526, with out-of-state students paying around $16,710. Students borrow a median of $19,797 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Morris generally make around $44,479. Set against $19,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Morris admits about 75% of applicants.
Jefferson College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $47,560. That is a strong return on a $13,664 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in fine & studio arts will find it at University Of Missouri St Louis, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $28,837 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $32,224. That is a strong return on a $28,837 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Truman State University one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $15,998. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Missouri Southern State University one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $22,241. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $29,309. That is a strong return on a $22,241 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Fort Hays State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Students borrow a median of $22,937 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $31,909. That is a strong return on a $22,937 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Washburn University placed #7 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $21,175. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $50,955. Set against $21,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $26,202 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $28,942. That is a strong return on a $26,202 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
Anoka Ramsey Community College placed #9 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,682. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $22,593. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Anoka Ramsey Community College generally make around $44,293. Set against $22,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #10 for value in fine & studio arts this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $25,476. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #11 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $26,500. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $24,095 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #12 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $19,000. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $28,421 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $16,101. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $47,980. That is a strong return on a $16,101 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.
East Central College earned the #14 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the town of Union, East Central College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,272 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $12,062. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of East Central College earn a median of $37,925 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,062 median debt.
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,153 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $54,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #16 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $23,956. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $20,192. Set against $23,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Wichita State University earned the #17 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,150 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $27,518. That is a strong return on a $28,150 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #18 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $28,783. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
South Dakota State University came in at #19 for value in fine & studio arts this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Kansas earned the #20 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $22,361 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $22,868 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,361 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Emporia State University earned the #21 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $25,129 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $19,276 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,129 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Winona State University earned the #22 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Students borrow a median of $24,551 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $53,109. Set against $24,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Kansas State University landed the #23 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $28,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Moorhead earned the #24 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,428. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of $30,521 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #25 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,750 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $24,024 early in their careers. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fine & studio arts value ranking:
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 · 160 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
