2026 Best Value Art Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 104 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value art studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Art Studies Schools in the The Plains States 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
Our analysis ranked Missouri Southern State University the best value for a degree in art studies in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $22,241 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $29,309 early in their careers. Set against $22,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at Truman State University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $15,998 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at Fort Hays State University, which ranked #3. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Students borrow a median of $22,937 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $49,775 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Anoka Ramsey Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Coon Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,682. Students borrow a median of $22,593 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $44,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $46,054 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #6 position for value in art studies this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $28,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney landed the #7 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $16,101 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $47,980. Set against $16,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $25,153 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $54,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Wichita State University came in at #9 for value in art studies this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $28,150 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $27,518. Set against $28,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #10 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $23,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $20,192. Set against $23,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Emporia State University landed the #11 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Students borrow a median of $25,129 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $19,276 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,129 median debt. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Winona State University came in at #12 for value in art studies this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $24,551 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $53,109. Set against $24,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Moorhead landed the #13 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,428. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $30,521. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $24,024. That is a strong return on a $27,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Lindenwood University landed the #15 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,600. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $48,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Black Hills State University landed the #16 spot for art studies value this year. Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Spearfish. In-state tuition and fees average $8,916, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $26,820 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Black Hills State University generally make around $42,789. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Fontbonne University placed #17 among the best values for art studies. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Fontbonne University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,976. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $33,503 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Fontbonne University earn a median of $46,039 early in their careers. Set against $33,503 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #18 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $38,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #19 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $24,624 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $25,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Pittsburg State University placed #20 among the best values for art studies. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $22,669. Early-career art studies graduates make about $50,003. That is a strong return on a $22,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #21 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $23,034. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,840. Students borrow a median of $30,822 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $54,195. That is a strong return on a $30,822 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of South Dakota ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. Students from in state pay about $9,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $25,327 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Iowa came in at #24 for value in art studies this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $29,887. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
St Olaf College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career art studies graduates make about $26,870. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Art Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s art studies value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 104 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
