[Museum Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/museum-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong museum studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 95 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for museum studies students.
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Finding the Best Value Museum Studies School for You
Where you study museum studies affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Museum Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Museum Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
For return on investment in museum studies, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the museum studies program here. Soon after graduation, museum studies degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Students looking for strong value in museum studies will find it at San Francisco State University, which ranked #2. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,024 to complete the museum studies program here. Early-career museum studies graduates make about $50,955. That is a strong return on a $17,024 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in museum studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for museum studies graduates is $19,137. Museum Studies graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $66,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Students looking for strong value in museum studies will find it at University Of Georgia, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Museum Studies graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Museum Studies graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #5 place for museum studies. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the museum studies program here. Museum Studies graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $32,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #6 position for value in museum studies this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete the museum studies program here. Museum Studies graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $31,415 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,146 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #7 spot for museum studies value this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for museum studies graduates is $20,836. Early-career museum studies graduates make about $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value museum studies schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for museum studies graduates is $26,657. Museum Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $37,453 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Harvard University earned the #9 position for value in museum studies this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the museum studies program here. Early-career museum studies graduates make about $44,792. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Kansas came in at #10 for value in museum studies this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Museum Studies graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Early-career museum studies graduates make about $56,289. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #11 for value in museum studies this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Typical student debt for museum studies graduates is $13,426. Soon after graduation, museum studies degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $41,463. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #12 among the best values for museum studies. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Museum Studies graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Early-career museum studies graduates make about $57,819. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Suny College At Oneonta came in at #13 for value in museum studies this year. Located in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,781. Museum Studies graduates carry a median of $22,046 in student loans. Early-career museum studies graduates make about $40,063. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in museum studies this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Museum Studies graduates carry a median of $24,546 in student loans. Soon after graduation, museum studies degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Iowa came in at #15 for value in museum studies this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,295 to complete the museum studies program here. Museum Studies graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $57,375 early in their careers. Set against $21,295 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #16 among the best values for museum studies. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Museum Studies graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans. Early-career museum studies graduates make about $55,861. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Texas Tech University earned the #17 position for value in museum studies this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for museum studies graduates is $24,271. Soon after graduation, museum studies degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $32,400. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Fashion Institute Of Technology came in at #18 for value in museum studies this year. Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,174, while out-of-state students pay about $22,696. Students borrow a median of $17,912 to complete the museum studies program here. Soon after graduation, museum studies degree recipients from Fashion Institute Of Technology generally make around $48,369. Set against $17,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #19 for value in museum studies this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $59,210. Students borrow a median of $27,491 to complete the museum studies program here. Early-career museum studies graduates make about $63,515. That is a strong return on a $27,491 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
New York University earned the #20 position for value in museum studies this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Museum Studies graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. Museum Studies graduates of New York University earn a median of $64,516 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Tufts University placed #21 among the best values for museum studies. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. Museum Studies graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. Soon after graduation, museum studies degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $31,434. That is a strong return on a $17,074 median debt. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants.
George Washington University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value museum studies schools. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete the museum studies program here. Soon after graduation, museum studies degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $42,498. That is a strong return on a $22,910 median debt. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.
Georgetown University came in at #23 for value in museum studies this year. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. Typical student debt for museum studies graduates is $16,483. Soon after graduation, museum studies degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $41,215. That is a strong return on a $16,483 median debt. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
University Of San Francisco came in at #24 for value in museum studies this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,522. Typical student debt for museum studies graduates is $23,935. Soon after graduation, museum studies degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $28,124. That is a strong return on a $23,935 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Syracuse University placed #25 among the best values for museum studies. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for museum studies graduates is $26,130. Museum Studies graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $31,080 early in their careers. Set against $26,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 95 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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).
[Museum Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/museum-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong museum studies education at a price that pays off.
