2026 Best Value Art Studies Schools in Pennsylvania
[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.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value art studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Art Studies Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Art Studies Schools
For return on investment in art studies, no school beat Montgomery County Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,690, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $13,641 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $19,024. Set against $13,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Lehigh Carbon Community College one of the best values for art studies. 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, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $14,450 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $39,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at Swarthmore College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,494. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $66,971 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Community College Of Allegheny County is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. Set against $15,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $25,694. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Reading Area Community College landed the #6 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,480 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,510 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $13,979. Art Studies graduates of Reading Area Community College earn a median of $49,248 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #7 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University landed the #8 spot for art studies value this year. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Community College Of Philadelphia came in at #9 for value in art studies this year. Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,632, while out-of-state students pay about $12,744. Students borrow a median of $13,926 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $37,988. That is a strong return on a $13,926 median debt.
Lycoming College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Williamsport, Lycoming College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,804. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Lycoming College generally make around $25,858. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $28,850 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $44,294. That is a strong return on a $28,850 median debt. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania placed #12 among the best values for art studies. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $24,990 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #13 position for value in art studies this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #14 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,570, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $25,269 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary placed #15 among the best values for art studies. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,500. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earn a median of $26,472 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary admits about 54% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #16 spot for art studies value this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $32,597. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Dickinson College came in at #17 for value in art studies this year. Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Carlisle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,650. Students borrow a median of $19,014 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $39,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dickinson College admits about 42% of applicants.
Lafayette College came in at #18 for value in art studies this year. Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,648. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $16,931 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $59,513. That is a strong return on a $16,931 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
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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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
