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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Art Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

38 Colleges in the United States
$20,612 Avg Student Debt
$59,878 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Art Studies Badge [Art Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 111 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for art studies students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Art Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

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

Leading the list is Cuny Lehman College, our #1 best value for art studies in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $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
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nassau Community College earned it the #2 place for art studies. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $11,850. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $38,734. That is a strong return on a $11,850 median debt.

3

Cuny Queensborough Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $10,052. Early-career art studies graduates make about $23,674. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Hudson Valley Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. Students from in state pay about $6,796 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Students borrow a median of $12,868 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $43,989. That is a strong return on a $12,868 median debt.

5
Montgomery College crest
Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

Montgomery College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $11,230. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $24,833. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.

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6

Niagara County Community College earned the #6 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,894, while out-of-state students pay about $12,030. Students borrow a median of $13,970 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Niagara County Community College generally make around $36,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Essex County College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $12,472. Art Studies graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $37,915 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Onondaga Community College earned the #8 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,102, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,623 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $35,781. Set against $12,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College came in at #9 for value in art studies this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Students borrow a median of $15,125 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $39,946 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,125 median debt.

10

Monroe Community College placed #10 among the best values for art studies. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $9,481 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $38,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11

Montgomery County Community College earned the #11 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,690, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $13,641 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $19,024. That is a strong return on a $13,641 median debt.

12

New Jersey City University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $19,326 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.

13

Mohawk Valley Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Utica. Students from in state pay about $6,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Students borrow a median of $11,900 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Mohawk Valley Community College generally make around $38,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Community College Of Allegheny County came in at #14 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $15,263. Early-career art studies graduates make about $47,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Lehigh Carbon Community College earned the #15 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $14,450. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $39,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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16

Montclair State University earned the #16 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career art studies graduates make about $21,934. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

17
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $17,978 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Towson University earn a median of $29,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,978 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

18
Kean University crest
Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University landed the #18 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Kean University earn a median of $25,928 early in their careers. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

19

Suny College At Buffalo earned the #19 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.

20

Reading Area Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,480, compared with $12,510 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,979 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $49,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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21

Suny College At Brockport came in at #21 for value in art studies this year. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $26,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

22
Salisbury University crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,084, while out-of-state students pay about $22,174. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $24,239 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $20,632 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

23

University Of Delaware earned the #23 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $25,908 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $21,935 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,908 median debt. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.

24
Swarthmore College crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore College placed #24 among the best values for art studies. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $66,971 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.

25

Suny College At Plattsburgh came in at #25 for value in art studies this year. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. Students from in state pay about $9,035 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,945. Students borrow a median of $25,072 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Suny College At Plattsburgh generally make around $25,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Art Studies Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in art studies:

26
27
28
29
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
30
31
32
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY
33
34
35
36
37
Lycoming College crest
Lycoming College
Williamsport, PA
38
39
40
41
42
Mcdaniel College crest
Mcdaniel College
Westminster, MD
43
44
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
45
46
47
48
49
50

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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 · 111 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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