[Art Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong art studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 864 schools to find the best return on investment for art studies students.
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Finding the Best Value Art Studies School for You
The art studies program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Art Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Art Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
California State University Dominguez Hills tops our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools in the United States. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $17,075. Early-career art studies graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #5 place for art studies. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $16,448 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $41,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #6 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $9,630 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $27,582 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,630 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #7 for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College placed #8 among the best values for art studies. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the art studies program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College placed #11 among the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #12 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $19,087 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $24,538. Set against $19,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Saddleback College landed the #13 spot for art studies value this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College landed the #14 spot for art studies value this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Golden West College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College landed the #16 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #17 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College came in at #18 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Nassau Community College placed #19 among the best values for art studies. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $38,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #20 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #21 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College came in at #22 for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
California State University Bakersfield placed #23 among the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
West Valley College earned the #24 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $14,308. Early-career art studies graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College landed the #25 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $8,978. Art Studies graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Art Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s art studies value ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 864 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 228 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).
[Art Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong art studies education at a price that pays off.
