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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Art Studies Schools in North Carolina

9 Colleges in the United States
$25,926 Avg Student Debt
$51,081 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Art Studies Badge [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 17 schools to find the best return on investment for art studies students.

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2026 Best Value Art Studies Schools in North Carolina

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

For return on investment in art studies, no school beat University Of North Carolina At Greensboro this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $18,745. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes Fayetteville State University one of the best values for art studies. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Early-career art studies graduates make about $16,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.

3

Western Carolina University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career art studies graduates make about $24,253. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

4

A rank of #4 makes North Carolina A And T State University one of the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $15,257 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.

5

University Of North Carolina At Asheville came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,501 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,849 for out-of-state students. 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.

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University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #6 among the best values for art studies. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $25,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.

7

Appalachian State University earned the #7 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $21,985. Art Studies graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $22,120 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

8

North Carolina Central University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,699, compared with $19,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $21,980. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

9
Davidson College crest
Davidson College
Davidson, NC

Davidson College placed #9 among the best values for art studies. Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Davidson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,430. Students borrow a median of $19,906 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Davidson College earn a median of $41,505 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,906 median debt. Davidson College admits about 13% of applicants.

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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 · 17 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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