2026 Best Value Art Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Art Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/art-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong art education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 66 schools to find the best return on investment for art education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Art Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Art Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Truman State University the best value for a degree in art education in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $23,168. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,764. Set against $23,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Washburn University one of the best values for art education. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Students borrow a median of $21,175 to complete the art education program here. Art Education graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,175 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Chadron State College one of the best values for art education. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Students borrow a median of $24,943 to complete the art education program here. Early-career art education graduates make about $46,824. That is a strong return on a $24,943 median debt.
Fort Hays State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art education, landing the #4 spot this year. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $23,082. Early-career art education graduates make about $49,775. Set against $23,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Peru State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,433. Art Education graduates carry a median of $26,254 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Peru State College generally make around $40,993. That is a strong return on a $26,254 median debt.
Minot State University placed #6 among the best values for art education. Located in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $28,324. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $44,973. Set against $28,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Valley City State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value art education schools. Set in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,580 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,394 to complete the art education program here. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Valley City State University generally make around $48,241. That is a strong return on a $24,394 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University landed the #8 spot for art education value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $22,145 to complete the art education program here. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $47,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value art education schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the art education program here. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $52,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
College Of The Ozarks came in at #10 for value in art education this year. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,360. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $37,042. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Western State University earned the #11 position for value in art education this year. Set in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,545 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Art Education graduates carry a median of $24,704 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $41,107. Set against $24,704 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Cloud State University placed #12 among the best values for art education. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Art Education graduates carry a median of $30,795 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $43,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #13 position for value in art education this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $21,748. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $34,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Wayne State College came in at #14 for value in art education this year. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,171. Art Education graduates carry a median of $25,957 in student loans. Early-career art education graduates make about $42,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for art education. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $25,485. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $46,970. Set against $25,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Emporia State University placed #16 among the best values for art education. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $22,500. Early-career art education graduates make about $52,694. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #17 position for value in art education this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $26,221. Art Education graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $38,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #18 for value in art education this year. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,361 in tuition and fees. Art Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Art Education graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $48,109 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #19 for value in art education this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Students borrow a median of $25,741 to complete the art education program here. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $37,460. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Bemidji State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value art education schools. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $23,389. Art Education graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $48,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,389 median debt. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
University Of Kansas came in at #21 for value in art education this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $24,174 to complete the art education program here. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $40,495. That is a strong return on a $24,174 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Northern State University landed the #22 spot for art education value this year. Set in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,947. Art Education graduates carry a median of $26,143 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Northern State University generally make around $45,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern State University admits about 93% of applicants.
Kansas State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value art education schools. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Art Education graduates carry a median of $22,814 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $45,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Concordia University Saint Paul landed the #24 spot for art education value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,600. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $29,026. Art Education graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $48,056 early in their careers. Set against $29,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value art education schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Art Education graduates carry a median of $30,294 in student loans. Art Education graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $39,237 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Art Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for art education this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 66 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
