2026 Best Value Other Fine Arts & Art Studies Schools in Illinois
[Other Fine Arts & Art Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/fine-arts-and-art-studies-other/) 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 3 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for other fine arts & art studies students.
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2026 Best Value Other Fine Arts & Art Studies Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the other fine arts & art studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Other Fine Arts & Art Studies Schools
Leading the list is Northern Illinois University, our #1 best value for other fine arts & art studies in Illinois. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Other Fine Arts & Art Studies graduates carry a median of $25,781 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other fine arts & art studies degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,308. Set against $25,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Columbia College Chicago one of the best values for other fine arts & art studies. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,088. Typical student debt for other fine arts & art studies graduates is $26,000. Other Fine Arts & Art Studies graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $29,160 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
More Other Fine Arts & Art Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
