by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 143 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value art studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is College Of Dupage, our #1 best value for art studies in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $43,025. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
Sinclair Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $12,525. Early-career art studies graduates make about $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Southeast earned it the #3 place for art studies. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $18,942. 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.
Saint Xavier University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Students borrow a median of $25,735 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $51,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $26,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
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University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #6 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $19,319 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $31,367. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University landed the #7 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $25,781 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $26,795 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #8 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $20,319 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $30,845. Set against $20,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Southern Indiana landed the #9 spot for art studies value this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,637 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $28,890. Set against $22,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in art studies this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $21,128 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $27,114. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside placed #11 among the best values for art studies. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $24,485 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
Indiana University South Bend ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $25,295. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $23,308. That is a strong return on a $25,295 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Grand Rapids Community College earned the #13 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,179, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $11,780 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $41,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #14 position for value in art studies this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $25,000. Art Studies graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $40,891 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $24,477. Early-career art studies graduates make about $42,853. Set against $24,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earned the #16 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,873 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $27,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $19,500. Early-career art studies graduates make about $33,265. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #18 among the best values for art studies. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $29,334. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #19 for value in art studies this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Students borrow a median of $27,280 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $25,259 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,280 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University earned the #20 position for value in art studies this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $26,959. Art Studies graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $53,952 early in their careers. Set against $26,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #21 position for value in art studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $38,585 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #22 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $26,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $30,084 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $28,801. Set against $30,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Wayne State University earned the #24 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $20,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Ball State University came in at #25 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $25,637 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $28,405. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
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 · 143 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.