by our College Data Analytics Team
[Art History](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-history/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for art history students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art history, balancing cost against outcomes.
Williams College earned the #1 spot for value among art history schools in Massachusetts. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,560. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $11,850. Early-career art history graduates make about $34,560. That is a strong return on a $11,850 median debt. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
Harvard University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Bridgewater State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art history, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $29,595. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wellesley College earned it the #4 place for art history. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,176. Art History graduates carry a median of $11,075 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $48,902. Set against $11,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wellesley College admits about 14% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Massachusetts Amherst one of the best values for art history. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $18,072. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
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Massachusetts College Of Art And Design earned the #6 position for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,400. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Massachusetts College Of Art And Design generally make around $38,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College came in at #7 for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,178. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Smith College earn a median of $20,171 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Hampshire College earned the #8 position for value in art history this year. Located in the rural area of Amherst, Hampshire College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,896. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Hampshire College generally make around $21,113. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hampshire College admits about 75% of applicants.
Boston University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $68,102 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 Boston University generally make around $27,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Clark University earned the #10 position for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,467. Art History graduates carry a median of $26,870 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $43,257. Set against $26,870 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Mount Holyoke College earned the #11 position for value in art history this year. Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Hadley. Students from in state pay about $67,018 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $23,447. Art History graduates of Mount Holyoke College earn a median of $18,420 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,447 median debt. Mount Holyoke College admits about 36% of applicants.
Wheaton College Massachusetts landed the #12 spot for art history value this year. Set in the suburb of Norton, Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $63,960. Art History graduates carry a median of $26,117 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $32,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wheaton College Massachusetts admits about 68% of applicants.
Lesley University came in at #13 for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,256. Students borrow a median of $24,833 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $48,287. Set against $24,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Brandeis University came in at #14 for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,653 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $47,783 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Tufts University earned the #15 position for value in art history this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Art History graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $25,601. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Boston College came in at #16 for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,702. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $66,132. Set against $18,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.