2026 Best Value Art History Schools in the Southeast 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 74 schools to find the best return on investment for art history students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Art History Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art history, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Art History Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among art history schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $16,863 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $28,710. Set against $16,863 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes Florida State University one of the best values for art history. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $20,222. Early-career art history graduates make about $28,775. That is a strong return on a $20,222 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art history, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $22,500. Art History graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $28,734 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Art History graduates carry a median of $14,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $24,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Florida International University one of the best values for art history. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Art History graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $22,334. Set against $17,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of North Florida came in at #6 for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Art History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $31,770. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of Georgia placed #7 among the best values for art history. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $21,947. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $26,323. That is a strong return on a $21,947 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
West Virginia University landed the #8 spot for art history value this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $24,121. Early-career art history graduates make about $23,043. Set against $24,121 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,501, with out-of-state students paying around $24,849. Students borrow a median of $23,942 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $23,504 early in their careers. Set against $23,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Western Kentucky University earned the #10 position for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $28,291. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus landed the #11 spot for art history value this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $26,225. Art History graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $18,337 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #12 among the best values for art history. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $30,577. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of New Orleans landed the #13 spot for art history value this year. University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New Orleans. In-state tuition and fees average $9,172, with out-of-state students paying around $14,008. Art History graduates carry a median of $23,048 in student loans. Art History graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of $42,720 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #14 spot for art history value this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $25,855. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Old Dominion University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $27,535. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
Columbus State University came in at #16 for value in art history this year. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,898, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. Students borrow a median of $30,430 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $22,798 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,430 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis came in at #17 for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Art History graduates carry a median of $28,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $26,451. That is a strong return on a $28,850 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Arkansas earned the #18 position for value in art history this year. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Art History graduates carry a median of $21,777 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $24,970. Set against $21,777 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
Coastal Carolina University came in at #19 for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $23,121 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University came in at #20 for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $27,349 in student loans. Art History graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $51,103 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Kennesaw State University placed #21 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Students borrow a median of $26,097 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $35,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Louisville came in at #22 for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Art History graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $28,485 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University came in at #23 for value in art history this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Art History graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Art History graduates carry a median of $23,614 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University came in at #25 for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $77,997. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 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
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 74 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
