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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Art Studies Associate’s Degree Schools

16 Colleges in the United States
$12,041 Avg Student Debt
$42,843 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Art Studies Associate's Degree Badge [Art Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 864 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value art studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Art Studies Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the art studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Art Studies Schools

1
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Moorpark College tops our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools in the United States. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Miramar College earned it the #2 place for art studies. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $8,098. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3
Skyline College crest
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

A rank of #3 makes Skyline College one of the best values for art studies. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.

4

San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.

5

Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at Mt San Antonio College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.

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6
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons landed the #6 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. 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. Early-career art studies graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Irvine Valley College came in at #7 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $6,672. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.

8
Oxnard College crest
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College earned the #8 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.

9
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College came in at #9 for value in art studies this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College earned the #10 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.

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11
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College placed #11 among the best values for art studies. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $21,500. Art Studies graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.

12
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.

13

Santa Rosa Junior College placed #13 among the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College landed the #14 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.

15
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College landed the #15 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $38,734. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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16

Santiago Canyon College came in at #16 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Pasadena City College earned the #17 position for value in art studies this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Cuny Queensborough Community College landed the #18 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19
West Valley College crest
West Valley College
Saratoga, CA

West Valley College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. 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.

20
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.

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21

Fresno City College landed the #21 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.

22

College Of The Sequoias earned the #22 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.

23
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College came in at #23 for value in art studies this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $12,643. Early-career art studies graduates make about $45,515. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, CA

Ventura College placed #24 among the best values for art studies. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. 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 $20,250. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College came in at #25 for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Art Studies Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for art studies this year:

26
Citrus College crest
Citrus College
Glendora, CA
27
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA
28
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA
29
Shasta College crest
Shasta College
Redding, CA
30
31
Las Positas College crest
Las Positas College
Livermore, CA
32
Chabot College crest
Chabot College
Hayward, CA
33
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL
34
35
36
37
Butte College crest
Butte College
Oroville, CA
38
39
Reedley College crest
Reedley College
Reedley, CA
40
Norco College crest
Norco College
Norco, CA
41
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA
42
43
44
45
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
46
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA
47
Hartnell College crest
Hartnell College
Salinas, CA
48
Sierra College crest
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA
49
Yuba College crest
Yuba College
Marysville, CA
50
Gavilan College crest
Gavilan College
Gilroy, CA

Other Art Studies Degree Levels

Explore the best-value art studies schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Art Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in Art Studies
Master's Degrees in Art Studies
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View All Art Studies Rankings >

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Notes and References

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 16 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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