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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Art Education Schools in the Southeast Region

31 Colleges in the United States
$25,036 Avg Student Debt
$53,264 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Art Education Badge [Art Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/art-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 74 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for art education students.

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2026 Best Value Art Education Schools in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Art Education Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value art education schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $15,275. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $51,476. That is a strong return on a $15,275 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Art Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Art Education graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $54,079 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes Florida International University one of the best values for art education. 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, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $18,802. Early-career art education graduates make about $44,809. That is a strong return on a $18,802 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Florida earned it the #4 place 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $18,523. 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%.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned it the #5 place for art education. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Art Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Art Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $43,033 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.

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6

Murray State University came in at #6 for value in art education this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the art education program here. Early-career art education graduates make about $48,423. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.

7

University Of Georgia placed #7 among the best values for art education. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the art education program here. Early-career art education graduates make about $61,081. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.

8

Western Carolina University landed the #8 spot for art education value this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Art Education graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Art Education graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $41,444 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.

9

University Of The Cumberlands landed the #9 spot for art education value this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,875. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete the art education program here. Art Education graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $45,541 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

10

Valdosta State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value art education schools. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Art Education graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $44,914. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

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11
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University placed #11 among the best values for art education. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Art Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $41,160. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

12

Middle Tennessee State University earned the #12 position for value in art education this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Art Education graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. Art Education graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,575 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

13

Columbus State University earned the #13 position for value in art education this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,898, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $28,040. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $40,616. That is a strong return on a $28,040 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

14

Old Dominion University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value art education schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

15

University Of Louisiana Lafayette landed the #15 spot for art education value this year. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,418 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,146. Art Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Lafayette generally make around $42,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

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16

Appalachian State University earned the #16 position for value in art education this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Art Education graduates carry a median of $21,614 in student loans. Art Education graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $44,026 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,614 median debt. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.

17

East Carolina University came in at #17 for value in art education this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $26,000. Early-career art education graduates make about $48,318. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.

18

University Of South Carolina Upstate earned the #18 position for value in art education this year. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,588, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the art education program here. Art Education graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $39,511 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.

19

Georgia State University came in at #19 for value in art education this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $28,687 to complete the art education program here. Art Education graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $57,563 early in their careers. Set against $28,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

20

Georgia Southern University earned the #20 position for value in art education this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Art Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $41,063. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.

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21
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas came in at #21 for value in art education this year. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $24,019. Art Education graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $56,703 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.

22

University Of Kentucky earned the #22 position for value in art education this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $24,002. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $42,057. Set against $24,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.

23
William Carey University crest
William Carey University
Hattiesburg, MS

William Carey University earned the #23 position for value in art education this year. William Carey University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hattiesburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Art Education graduates carry a median of $25,524 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from William Carey University generally make around $52,790. Set against $25,524 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. William Carey University admits about 60% of applicants.

24

University Of Alabama At Birmingham ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value art education schools. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $24,573. Early-career art education graduates make about $55,413. That is a strong return on a $24,573 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

25

The University Of Tennessee earned the #25 position for value in art education this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the art education program here. Early-career art education graduates make about $49,826. That is a strong return on a $22,859 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Art Education Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in art education:

26
27
28
29
30
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN
31
32
Piedmont College crest
Piedmont College
Demorest, GA
33
34
35
Averett University crest
Averett University
Danville, VA
36
Campbell University crest
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC
37
38
39
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
40
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 74 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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