2026 Best Value Art History Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis tops our 2026 list of the best value art history schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $27,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

Students looking for strong value in art history will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,319 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $31,367. That is a strong return on a $19,319 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.

3

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for art history. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Art History graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $21,954. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

4

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for art history. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $21,128. Art History graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $27,114 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

5

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

A rank of #5 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for art history. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $25,781. Art History graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $26,795 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,781 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

6

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $31,000. Early-career art history graduates make about $49,025. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

7

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #7 spot for art history value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $33,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

8

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $24,540 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

9

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #9 spot for art history value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Art History graduates carry a median of $21,356 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $28,669. That is a strong return on a $21,356 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

10

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Art History graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Art History graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $20,948 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $19,316. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $30,719. That is a strong return on a $19,316 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

12

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University landed the #12 spot for art history value this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $25,972. Art History graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $22,840 early in their careers. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.

13

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #13 position for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $27,719. Early-career art history graduates make about $36,332. Set against $27,719 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

14

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $46,566. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.

15

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $18,117. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

16

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for art history value this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Art History graduates carry a median of $29,259 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $22,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

17

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University placed #17 among the best values for art history. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $27,978. Early-career art history graduates make about $23,352. That is a strong return on a $27,978 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

18

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $24,135 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago came in at #19 for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $15,854. Art History graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.

20

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $26,849 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $29,186. Set against $26,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.

21

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University earned the #21 position for value in art history this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $28,890. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

22

Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo College landed the #22 spot for art history value this year. Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $60,900. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $26,118. Art History graduates of Kalamazoo College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. Set against $26,118 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

23

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo earned the #23 position for value in art history this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $26,750. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $52,675. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

24

Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI

Northern Michigan University placed #24 among the best values for art history. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $27,000. Art History graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.

25

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $28,495. Early-career art history graduates make about $48,966. Set against $28,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.