by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for art education students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the art education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Peru State College the best value for a degree in art education in Nebraska. Set in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,433 in tuition and fees. Art Education graduates carry a median of $26,254 in student loans. Art Education graduates of Peru State College earn a median of $40,993 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in art education will find it at Chadron State College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,294. Art Education graduates carry a median of $24,943 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Chadron State College generally make around $46,824. Set against $24,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wayne State College earned it the #3 place for art education. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. Students from in state pay about $8,171 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $25,957. Art Education graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $42,589 early in their careers. Set against $25,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hastings College earned it the #4 place for art education. Hastings College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hastings. Students from in state pay about $37,770 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the art education program here. Art Education graduates of Hastings College earn a median of $42,417 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.