2026 Best Value Art History Schools in the Far Western Region
[Art History](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-history/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong art history education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 58 schools to find the best return on investment for art history students.
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2026 Best Value Art History Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art history, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Art History Schools
Leading the list is California State University Dominguez Hills, our #1 best value for art history in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Art History graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in art history will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $16,448. Early-career art history graduates make about $41,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Stanford University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $10,492. Art History graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Students looking for strong value in art history will find it at California State University Sacramento, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $15,879. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $20,203. Set against $15,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in art history will find it at California State University Stanislaus, which ranked #5. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $21,288. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #6 spot for art history value this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Art History graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $14,447. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Reedley College landed the #7 spot for art history value this year. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College came in at #8 for value in art history this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the art history program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
University Of California San Diego placed #9 among the best values for art history. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Art History graduates carry a median of $15,218 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $21,777. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Miracosta College placed #10 among the best values for art history. Miracosta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Oceanside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,158, with out-of-state students paying around $9,750. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,845.
Truckee Meadows Community College earned the #11 position for value in art history this year. Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public school located in the city of Reno. Students from in state pay about $3,352 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Art History graduates carry a median of $12,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Truckee Meadows Community College generally make around $52,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #12 position for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $29,719 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $27,740. Set against $29,719 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of California Irvine came in at #13 for value in art history this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $17,635. Art History graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $20,128 early in their careers. Set against $17,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,667 to complete the art history program here. 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. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University earned the #15 position for value in art history this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $18,511 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $24,606. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Los Angeles Harbor College landed the #16 spot for art history value this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, Los Angeles Harbor College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,238, while out-of-state students pay about $10,568. Students borrow a median of $11,488 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Los Angeles Harbor College generally make around $91,233. That is a strong return on a $11,488 median debt.
San Jose State University ranked #17 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, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $16,978. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $45,488. Set against $16,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside landed the #19 spot for art history value this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $21,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa landed the #20 spot for art history value this year. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $22,411. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $17,626. That is a strong return on a $22,411 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Sonoma State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, with out-of-state students paying around $21,224. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $18,460. Art History graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $29,035 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #22 spot for art history value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $14,000. Early-career art history graduates make about $21,220. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
Eastern Washington University earned the #23 position for value in art history this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Art History graduates carry a median of $19,060 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $47,144. Set against $19,060 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University came in at #24 for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $35,125 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $20,866 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #25 spot for art history value this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $13,254. Early-career art history graduates make about $20,368. Set against $13,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Art History Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in art history:
Narrow Art History Schools by State
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Notes and References
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 · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
