2026 Best Value Art History Schools in the New England Region
[Art History](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-history/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong art history education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 45 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for art history students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Art History Schools in the New England Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the art history degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Art History Schools
Harvard University tops our 2026 list of the best value art history schools in the New England Region. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in art history will find it at Williams College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,560. Art History graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $34,560. That is a strong return on a $11,850 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Rhode Island College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art history, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $28,241 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Bridgewater State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art history, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $27,000. Art History graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $29,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bowdoin College earned it the #5 place for art history. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,832. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $20,658. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $58,938. Set against $20,658 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island landed the #6 spot for art history value this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Art History graduates carry a median of $16,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,821. That is a strong return on a $16,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Maine placed #7 among the best values for art history. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,050 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. Set against $27,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Vermont came in at #8 for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $19,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $25,500. Early-career art history graduates make about $24,497. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Plymouth State University landed the #9 spot for art history value this year. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,626, compared with $25,566 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $27,000. Early-career art history graduates make about $45,528. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Connecticut came in at #10 for value in art history this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $23,750. Art History graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $24,419 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
Southern Connecticut State University earned the #11 position for value in art history this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,442, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $50,876. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Wellesley College landed the #12 spot for art history value this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,176. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $48,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Colby College earned the #13 position for value in art history this year. Set in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,600. Art History graduates carry a median of $22,016 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Colby College generally make around $46,772. That is a strong return on a $22,016 median debt. Colby College admits about 7% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Art History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Art History graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $18,072 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design landed the #15 spot for art history value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,400, with out-of-state students paying around $43,400. Art History graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Art History graduates of Massachusetts College Of Art And Design earn a median of $38,090 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Brown University landed the #16 spot for art history value this year. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $17,300. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $23,180. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College landed the #17 spot for art history value this year. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,178. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $20,171. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Art History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $27,226. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Hampshire College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the rural area of Amherst, Hampshire College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,896 in tuition and fees. Art History graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Art History graduates of Hampshire College earn a median of $21,113 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Wesleyan University earned the #20 position for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,042. Art History graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Dartmouth College placed #21 among the best values for art history. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,019. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $13,663. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $30,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dartmouth College admits about 5% of applicants.
Yale University earned the #22 position for value in art history this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $24,521. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
Clark University landed the #23 spot for art history value this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,467. Students borrow a median of $26,870 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $43,257. That is a strong return on a $26,870 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hartford earned the #24 position for value in art history this year. Located in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,075 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Hartford generally make around $34,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Hartford admits about 96% of applicants.
Mount Holyoke College came in at #25 for value in art history this year. Located in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,018. Art History graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $18,420. Set against $23,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mount Holyoke College admits about 36% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Art History Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in art history:
Narrow Art History Schools by State
More Art History Rankings
View All Art History Rankings >
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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
