by our College Data Analytics Team
[Art Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 149 schools to find the best return on investment for art studies students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the art studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Berea College the best value for a degree in art studies in the Southeast Region. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,658. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $20,036. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #2. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $28,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Northern Virginia Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.
The University Of West Florida came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $23,843. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #5. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $28,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
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University Of Central Florida came in at #6 for value in art studies this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $22,036 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $23,324. Set against $22,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Florida International University came in at #7 for value in art studies this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $22,334. Set against $17,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Itawamba Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Itawamba Community College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
Marshall University landed the #9 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,293 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $24,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Holmes Community College earned the #10 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Students borrow a median of $13,191 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $32,145 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #11 position for value in art studies this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $22,980. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $22,967. That is a strong return on a $22,980 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $49,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #13 among the best values for art studies. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $18,745. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Thomas Nelson Community College earned the #14 position for value in art studies this year. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. Students from in state pay about $5,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,526. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $14,402. Art Studies graduates of Thomas Nelson Community College earn a median of $36,758 early in their careers. Set against $14,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,760 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $29,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Fayetteville State University came in at #16 for value in art studies this year. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $27,497 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $16,454 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,497 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Georgia placed #17 among the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,947 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $26,323. Set against $21,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Alabama placed #18 among the best values for art studies. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $24,291 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,357. Set against $24,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga placed #19 among the best values for art studies. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $25,000. Art Studies graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $21,766 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Western Carolina University earned the #20 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $24,253. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $24,121 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $23,043. Set against $24,121 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $31,000. Early-career art studies graduates make about $15,257. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,501, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. Students borrow a median of $23,942 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $23,504 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Asheville admits about 92% of applicants.
Shepherd University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,056, while out-of-state students pay about $19,082. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $21,500. Art Studies graduates of Shepherd University earn a median of $33,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Mcneese State University landed the #25 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,489, compared with $9,989 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $23,615. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Mcneese State University generally make around $31,226. That is a strong return on a $23,615 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 149 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.