[Art History](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-history/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 438 schools to find the best return on investment for art history students.
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Finding the Best Value Art History School for You
The right art history school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Art History Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Art History Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
California State University Dominguez Hills tops our 2026 list of the best value art history schools in the United States. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for art history. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $16,448. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $41,350. That is a strong return on a $16,448 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $28,185. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #4 place for art history. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Art History graduates carry a median of $16,863 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $28,710. That is a strong return on a $16,863 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in art history will find it at Princeton University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Stanford University placed #6 among the best values for art history. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Art History graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Art History graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #7 position for value in art history this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $12,000. Art History graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $22,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College landed the #8 spot for art history value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $15,849. Art History graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $24,742 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College placed #9 among the best values for art history. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Art History graduates carry a median of $9,630 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $27,582. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University placed #10 among the best values for art history. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $20,222 in student loans. Art History graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $28,775 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Art History graduates carry a median of $12,818 in student loans. Art History graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $24,910 early in their careers. Set against $12,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University Sacramento placed #12 among the best values for art history. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $15,879. Art History graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $20,203 early in their careers. Set against $15,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #13 for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $10,052. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $16,739. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
University Of California San Diego ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,218 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $21,777. That is a strong return on a $15,218 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of Minnesota Morris earned the #15 position for value in art history this year. Set in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,526, compared with $16,710 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $19,797. Art History graduates of University Of Minnesota Morris earn a median of $44,479 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in art history this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $28,734. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming placed #17 among the best values for art history. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Art History graduates carry a median of $15,880 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $27,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #18 position for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Art History graduates carry a median of $14,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $24,005. That is a strong return on a $14,600 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #19 position for value in art history this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Art History graduates carry a median of $13,667 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $25,947. That is a strong return on a $13,667 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Austin Community College District came in at #20 for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $16,500. Art History graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt.
University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #21 position for value in art history this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $16,978. Art History graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $45,488 early in their careers. Set against $16,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 33%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #22 spot for art history value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $27,595. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #23 position for value in art history this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Art History graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $14,447. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $15,750. Art History graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $21,288 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Art History Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for art history this year:
Art History is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 438 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 202 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).
[Art History](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-history/) 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.
