by our College Data Analytics Team
[Art Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong art studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 190 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value art studies schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the art studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in art studies, no school beat San Diego Miramar College this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. 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 came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Moorpark College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $17,075. Art Studies graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes San Diego Mesa College one of the best values for art studies. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $6,999. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oxnard College earned it the #5 place for art studies. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
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California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #6 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $15,886. Early-career art studies graduates make about $52,683. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Cerritos College landed the #7 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $11,306. Art Studies graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons placed #8 among the best values for art studies. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College earned the #9 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $6,672. 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.
College Of The Sequoias placed #10 among the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College came in at #13 for value in art studies this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Golden West College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career art studies graduates make about $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moreno Valley College landed the #17 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
Ventura College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Reedley College earned the #19 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $9,191. Art Studies graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College came in at #21 for value in art studies this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $6,176. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College placed #22 among the best values for art studies. 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. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $5,500. 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.
Santa Monica College placed #23 among the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Norco College earned the #24 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the art studies program here. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #25 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,087 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $24,538. That is a strong return on a $19,087 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for art studies this year:
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The ranking above is published 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 · 190 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.