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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Art Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools

216 Colleges in the United States
$23,355 Avg Student Debt
$59,157 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Art Studies Bachelor's Degree Badge [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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 864 schools to find the best return on investment for art studies students.

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

Our analysis ranked California State University Dominguez Hills the best value for a degree in art studies in the United States. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place for art studies. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $9,630 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $27,582. Set against $9,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.

3

California State University Fullerton came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $16,448. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $22,839. That is a strong return on a $16,448 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

4

California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $19,087 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $24,538 early in their careers. Set against $19,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

5

California State University Bakersfield came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

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Berea College crest
Berea College
Berea, KY

Berea College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,658. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Berea College earn a median of $20,036 early in their careers. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.

7

California State University Northridge earned the #7 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $25,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

8

California State University Fresno earned the #8 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $14,937 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $22,167. That is a strong return on a $14,937 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

9

California State University Stanislaus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $21,288. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.

10

California State University San Bernardino came in at #10 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $14,447. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.

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11

Florida Atlantic University landed the #11 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $28,726. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

12

California State University Long Beach placed #12 among the best values for art studies. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,583 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $21,493 early in their careers. Set against $16,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

13

The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #13 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $17,687. Art Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $21,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,687 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

14

Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #14 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,405 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $25,081. That is a strong return on a $14,405 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

15

The University Of West Florida placed #15 among the best values for art studies. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $23,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

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16

California State University Channel Islands came in at #16 for value in art studies this year. Set in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from California State University Channel Islands generally make around $22,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

17
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #17 for value in art studies this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $10,492. Early-career art studies graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

18

California State University Sacramento landed the #18 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $15,879 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $20,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

19

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $24,818 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

20

University Of Central Florida came in at #20 for value in art studies this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $22,036 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $23,324 early in their careers. Set against $22,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

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21

California State University East Bay earned the #21 position for value in art studies this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $16,625 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $33,220 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,625 median debt. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.

22

Florida International University came in at #22 for value in art studies this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $17,250. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $22,334. That is a strong return on a $17,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

23

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #23 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

24

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earned the #24 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,324. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras generally make around $24,881. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

25

Indiana University Southeast landed the #25 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $18,942 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $31,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Art Studies Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s art studies value ranking:

26
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV
27
28
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

Other Art Studies Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Art Studies rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Art Studies
Associate'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

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 · 864 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 216 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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