2026 Best Value Museum Studies Master’s Degree Schools

1

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

Leading the list is San Francisco State University, our #1 best value for museum studies in the United States. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Museum Studies graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. Soon after graduation, museum studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.

2

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

A rank of #2 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the best values for museum studies. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for museum studies graduates is $16,481. Early-career museum studies graduates make about $32,388. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.

3

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in museum studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Museum Studies graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. Museum Studies graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $31,415 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

4

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Students looking for strong value in museum studies will find it at Harvard University, which ranked #4. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for museum studies graduates is $16,616. Museum Studies graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $44,792 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.

5

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

A rank of #5 makes University Of Kansas one of the best values for museum studies. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, 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. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.

6

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University landed the #6 spot for museum studies value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the museum studies program here. Early-career museum studies graduates make about $41,463. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

7

Suny College At Oneonta
Oneonta, NY

Suny College At Oneonta placed #7 among the best values for museum studies. Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oneonta. 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. Museum Studies graduates of Suny College At Oneonta earn a median of $40,063 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,046 median debt. Suny College At Oneonta admits about 70% of applicants.

8

Cuny Graduate School And University Center
New York, NY

Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #8 spot for museum studies value this year. Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for museum studies graduates is $17,921. Early-career museum studies graduates make about $72,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Graduate School And University Center admits about 68% of applicants.

9

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University landed the #9 spot for museum studies value this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Museum Studies graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Soon after graduation, museum studies degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $32,400. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.

10

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #10 for value in museum studies this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete the museum studies program here. Museum Studies graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $55,861 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,373 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

11

Fashion Institute Of Technology
New York, NY

Fashion Institute Of Technology earned the #11 position for value in museum studies this year. Set in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,174 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,696. Typical student debt for museum studies graduates is $17,912. Soon after graduation, museum studies degree recipients from Fashion Institute Of Technology generally make around $48,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

12

New York University
New York, NY

New York University landed the #12 spot for museum studies value this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete the museum studies program here. Early-career museum studies graduates make about $64,516. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

13

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value museum studies schools. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $17,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

14

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University placed #14 among the best values for museum studies. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Typical student debt for museum studies graduates is $22,910. Early-career museum studies graduates make about $42,498. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.

15

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University placed #15 among the best values for museum studies. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Typical student debt for museum studies graduates is $16,483. Museum Studies graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $41,215 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,483 median debt. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco placed #16 among the best values for museum studies. University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $60,522 in tuition and fees. 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. University Of San Francisco admits about 62% of applicants.

17

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value museum studies schools. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for museum studies graduates is $26,130. Early-career museum studies graduates make about $31,080. Set against $26,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.