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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Art History Master’s Degree Schools

49 Colleges in the United States
$23,115 Avg Student Debt
$65,370 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Art History Master's Degree Badge [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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 438 schools to find the best return on investment for art history students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Art History Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art history, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Art History Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

For return on investment in art history, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $16,863. Early-career art history graduates make about $33,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Students looking for strong value in art history will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $33,582. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.

3
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #3 place for art history. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $20,222. Art History graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $30,765 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,222 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.

4

Students looking for strong value in art history will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #4. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $9,630. Early-career art history graduates make about $27,582. That is a strong return on a $9,630 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.

5
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #5 place for art history. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. 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. Early-career art history graduates make about $24,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

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6

University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Art History graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $32,650. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

7

University Of California Los Angeles ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Art History graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $21,220. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.

8

San Jose State University came in at #8 for value in art history this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.

9

University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #9 among the best values for art history. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Art History graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $21,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

10

Northern Illinois University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Art History graduates carry a median of $25,781 in student loans. Art History graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $26,795 early in their careers. Set against $25,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

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11
Williams College crest
Williams College
Williamstown, MA

Williams College landed the #11 spot for art history value this year. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Art History graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $34,560. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.

12

Indiana University Bloomington earned the #12 position for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Art History graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $37,186. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

13

University Of Georgia placed #13 among the best values for art history. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,947 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $18,590. Set against $21,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.

14

University Of California Davis landed the #14 spot for art history value this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $15,061 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $42,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

15

University Of Houston ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Art History graduates carry a median of $21,845 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $26,482. That is a strong return on a $21,845 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

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16

The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #16 position for value in art history this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $23,551 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

17

Brigham Young University Provo landed the #17 spot for art history value this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Art History graduates carry a median of $16,656 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $54,507. That is a strong return on a $16,656 median debt. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.

18

University Of North Texas came in at #18 for value in art history this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Art History graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $23,354 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

19

Suny College At Buffalo came in at #19 for value in art history this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $24,041. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.

20

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #20 position for value in art history this year. 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. Art History graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $30,934 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,316 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

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21

University Of Nevada Reno came in at #21 for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $24,906 early in their careers. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #22 among the best values for art history. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $27,719 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $39,680 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,719 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.

23

Kennesaw State University placed #23 among the best values for art history. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,097 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $35,846 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.

24
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas placed #24 among the best values for art history. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Art History graduates carry a median of $22,361 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $29,107. Set against $22,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

25

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #25 for value in art history this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $46,566 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Art History Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in art history:

26
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
27
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO
28
29
30
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
42
43
44
45
46
Alfred University crest
Alfred University
Alfred, NY
47
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
48
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
49
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
50
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

Other Art History Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Art History rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Art History
Associate's Degrees in Art History
Bachelor's Degrees in Art History
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View All Art History Rankings >

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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 · 438 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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