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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Art History Schools in the The Plains States Region

19 Colleges in the United States
$24,487 Avg Student Debt
$58,240 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Art History Badge [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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 38 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value art history schools.

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2026 Best Value Art History Schools in the The Plains States 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

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Minnesota Morris the best value for a degree in art history in the The Plains States Region. University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public school located in the town of Morris. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,526, with out-of-state students paying around $16,710. Students borrow a median of $19,797 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $44,479. Set against $19,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Morris admits about 75% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Nebraska At Omaha one of the best values for art history. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $26,202. Art History graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $28,942 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washburn University earned it the #3 place for art history. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Students borrow a median of $21,175 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $25,500. Art History graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $25,476 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Northern Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art history, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $24,095 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.

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6

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #6 position for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,956 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $20,192. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.

7

Wichita State University earned the #7 position for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Art History graduates carry a median of $28,150 in student loans. Art History graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $27,518 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,150 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.

8

University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #8 position for value in art history this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $28,783 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

9
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas placed #9 among the best values for art history. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $22,361. Early-career art history graduates make about $22,868. Set against $22,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.

10

South Dakota State University earned the #10 position for value in art history this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $24,989. Early-career art history graduates make about $51,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

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11

Minnesota State University Moorhead came in at #11 for value in art history this year. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,428. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $30,521. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.

12

Missouri State University Springfield earned the #12 position for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $27,750. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $24,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

13
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University earned the #13 position for value in art history this year. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Art History graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. Art History graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,663 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.

14

University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #14 position for value in art history this year. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public school located in the city of Duluth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $24,624. Early-career art history graduates make about $25,660. That is a strong return on a $24,624 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

15

Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #15 spot for art history value this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Art History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $53,088. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.

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16
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $29,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.

17
Hastings College crest
Hastings College
Hastings, NE

Hastings College placed #17 among the best values for art history. Hastings College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hastings. In-state tuition and fees average $37,770. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $24,125. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Hastings College generally make around $42,417. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

18

Washington University In St Louis placed #18 among the best values for art history. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.

19
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College placed #19 among the best values for art history. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,760 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $26,870 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

20
Webster University crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO

Webster University came in at #20 for value in art history this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,750 in tuition and fees. Art History graduates carry a median of $25,939 in student loans. Art History graduates of Webster University earn a median of $57,152 early in their careers. Set against $25,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.

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21

Gustavus Adolphus College placed #21 among the best values for art history. Set in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $56,076 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,197 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of $44,396 early in their careers. Set against $26,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

22
Carleton College crest
Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Carleton College placed #22 among the best values for art history. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. In-state tuition and fees average $68,892. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $17,566. Early-career art history graduates make about $45,096. Set against $17,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carleton College admits about 20% of applicants.

23

Kansas City Art Institute ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Kansas City Art Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $44,550. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Kansas City Art Institute generally make around $22,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

24
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College landed the #24 spot for art history value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,104 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $22,147. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Macalester College generally make around $42,517. Set against $22,147 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 28%.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 38 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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