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

19 Colleges in the United States
$22,192 Avg Student Debt
$64,722 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Art Studies Master'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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong art studies education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 864 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for art studies students.

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2026 Best Value Art Studies Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art studies, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Art Studies Schools

1

Cuny Lehman College tops our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools in the United States. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $9,630 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $27,582 early in their careers. Set against $9,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

2

California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $19,087. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $24,538. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #3. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $32,650 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $21,220 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

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6

San Jose State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.

7

The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $23,551. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

8

Northern Illinois University placed #8 among the best values for art studies. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,781 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $26,795. Set against $25,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

9

Arizona State University came in at #9 for value in art studies this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $23,395 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $34,424. That is a strong return on a $23,395 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

10

University Of Georgia earned the #10 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $21,947 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $18,590. That is a strong return on a $21,947 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

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11

University Of Houston placed #11 among the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,845 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $26,482 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

12

Eastern Illinois University earned the #12 position for value in art studies this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $55,569 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

13
Williams College crest
Williams College
Williamstown, MA

Williams College came in at #13 for value in art studies this year. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Williams College earn a median of $34,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.

14

Brigham Young University Provo landed the #14 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $16,656. Art Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $34,241 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,656 median debt. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.

15

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #15 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, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $37,186. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

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16

University Of California Davis came in at #16 for value in art studies this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $15,061. Early-career art studies graduates make about $42,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of North Texas landed the #17 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $24,000. Early-career art studies graduates make about $23,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.

18

Suny College At Buffalo earned the #18 position for value in art studies this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $24,041. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.

19

University Of Nevada Reno earned the #19 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $24,906. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.

20

University Of Nebraska At Kearney earned the #20 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $16,101 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $55,459. Set against $16,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

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21

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #21 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $19,316. Art Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $30,934 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

22

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #22 spot for art studies value this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $27,719. Early-career art studies graduates make about $39,680. That is a strong return on a $27,719 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.

23

Kennesaw State University came in at #23 for value in art studies this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $26,097 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $35,846 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.

24
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $21,777 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $24,970. That is a strong return on a $21,777 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for art studies. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $24,761. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Art Studies Schools

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

26
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO
27
Fontbonne University crest
Fontbonne University
Saint Louis, MO
28
29
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY
30
31
32
33
34
35
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
36
37
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
38
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
39
40
41
Lesley University crest
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA
42
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA
43
44
45
46

Other Art Studies Degree Levels

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

All Degree Levels in Art Studies
Associate's Degrees in Art Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in Art Studies
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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 19 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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