by our College Data Analytics Team
[Art Therapy/Therapist](/majors/health-care-professions/rehab-and-therapeutic-professions/art-therapy-therapist/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for art therapy/therapist students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art therapy/therapist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Marywood University earned the #1 spot for value among art therapy/therapist schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,420. Typical student debt for art therapy/therapist graduates is $26,996. Early-career art therapy/therapist graduates make about $36,791. That is a strong return on a $26,996 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Seton Hill University earned it the #2 place for art therapy/therapist. Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,944. Typical student debt for art therapy/therapist graduates is $26,556. Art Therapy/therapist graduates of Seton Hill University earn a median of $42,829 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Seton Hill University admits about 80% of applicants.
Cedar Crest College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art therapy/therapist, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,314. Typical student debt for art therapy/therapist graduates is $30,759. Soon after graduation, art therapy/therapist degree recipients from Cedar Crest College generally make around $67,662. That is a strong return on a $30,759 median debt. Cedar Crest College admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Arcadia University one of the best values for art therapy/therapist. Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Glenside. Students from in state pay about $49,610 in tuition and fees. Art Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $26,921 in student loans. Art Therapy/therapist graduates of Arcadia University earn a median of $78,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Mercyhurst College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art therapy/therapist, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,770. Art Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $25,705 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art therapy/therapist degree recipients from Mercyhurst College generally make around $46,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
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Temple University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value art therapy/therapist schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Art Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Art Therapy/therapist graduates of Temple University earn a median of $59,914 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Drexel University landed the #7 spot for art therapy/therapist value this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Art Therapy/therapist graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. Early-career art therapy/therapist graduates make about $61,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.