[Art Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/art-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong art education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 372 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for art education students.
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Finding the Best Value Art Education School for You
The right art education school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Art Education Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Art Education Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for art education in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $12,000. Art Education graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $61,604 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for art education. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $13,178. Art Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $61,164 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,178 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Long Beach one of the best values for art education. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Art Education graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Art Education graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,982 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for art education. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete the art education program here. Early-career art education graduates make about $67,212. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Students looking for strong value in art education will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the art education program here. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $73,336. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Florida came in at #6 for value in art education this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Art Education graduates carry a median of $15,275 in student loans. Art Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $51,476 early in their careers. Set against $15,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #7 position for value in art education this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Art Education graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $90,725. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Florida State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value art education schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $22,500. Art Education graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $54,079 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Utah Valley University came in at #9 for value in art education this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Art Education graduates carry a median of $18,715 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $49,297. That is a strong return on a $18,715 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value art education schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Art Education graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Art Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $58,732 early in their careers. Set against $17,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Wyoming placed #11 among the best values for art education. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the art education program here. Early-career art education graduates make about $49,587. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University came in at #12 for value in art education this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $18,802 to complete the art education program here. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $44,809. That is a strong return on a $18,802 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Cuny York College landed the #13 spot for art education value this year. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $12,573. Early-career art education graduates make about $49,559. That is a strong return on a $12,573 median debt. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
Casper College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value art education schools. Casper College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Casper. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,410, while out-of-state students pay about $10,710. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $12,598. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Casper College generally make around $49,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value art education schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Art Education graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Early-career art education graduates make about $65,681. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of North Florida placed #16 among the best values for art education. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete the art education program here. Early-career art education graduates make about $49,208. Set against $18,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #17 position for value in art education this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $13,680. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $42,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value art education schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Art Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $47,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Utah University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value art education schools. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the art education program here. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $45,042. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Odessa College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value art education schools. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,688, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $9,087. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #21 spot for art education value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $44,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
New Jersey City University placed #22 among the best values for art education. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Students borrow a median of $22,107 to complete the art education program here. Early-career art education graduates make about $47,083. Set against $22,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Indiana University Southeast earned the #23 position for value in art education this year. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $23,981 to complete the art education program here. Art Education graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $43,463 early in their careers. Set against $23,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #24 among the best values for art education. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $43,033. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Arizona State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value art education schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the art education program here. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $54,028. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Art Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in art education:
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 · 372 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 165 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).
[Art Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/art-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong art education education at a price that pays off.
