2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in fine arts in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $28,185. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $16,448. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $41,350. That is a strong return on a $16,448 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

3

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $22,633 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

4

Cuny City College
New York, NY

A rank of #4 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for fine arts. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $15,849. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $24,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

5

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $9,630. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $27,582. Set against $9,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida landed the #6 spot for fine arts value this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $16,863. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $28,710 early in their careers. Set against $16,863 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

7

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College landed the #7 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $12,818 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $24,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

8

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles came in at #8 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $19,087 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $24,538. Set against $19,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

9

Cuny Queensborough Community College
Bayside, NY

Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #9 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $10,052. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge landed the #10 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $25,359. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

11

Chabot College
Hayward, CA

Chabot College placed #11 among the best values for fine arts. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, compared with $8,686 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Hudson County Community College
Jersey City, NJ

Hudson County Community College placed #12 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,384 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Students borrow a median of $6,899 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $22,619. Set against $6,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
New York, NY

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #13 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

14

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University came in at #14 for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $28,726 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

15

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach placed #15 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $16,583 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $21,493. That is a strong return on a $16,583 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.

16

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University placed #16 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $14,672 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $19,300 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,672 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.

17

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #17 among the best values for fine arts. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

18

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus earned the #18 position for value in fine arts this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $21,288. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

19

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino landed the #19 spot for fine arts value this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $14,447. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

20

Raritan Valley Community College
Branchburg, NJ

Raritan Valley Community College placed #20 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $9,668 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Norco College
Norco, CA

Norco College came in at #21 for value in fine arts this year. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University came in at #22 for value in fine arts this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $25,724 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $31,448 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

23

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

South Texas College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $6,868. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.

24

Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #24 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $14,920. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.

25

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #25 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $10,492. Fine Arts graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.