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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Fine Arts Associate’s Degree Schools

9 Colleges in the United States
$12,647 Avg Student Debt
$42,171 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Fine Arts Associate's Degree Badge [Fine Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/fine-arts/) 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 749 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value fine arts schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fine arts degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Fine Arts Schools

1

Cuny Queensborough Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools in the United States. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. 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.

2
Chabot College crest
Chabot College
Hayward, CA

Chabot College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,686 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $85,175. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Hudson County Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,384, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $6,899 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $22,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

A rank of #5 makes Raritan Valley Community College one of the best values for fine arts. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6
Norco College crest
Norco College
Norco, CA

Norco College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the fine arts program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

South Texas College landed the #7 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.

8
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Delaware County Community College landed the #9 spot for fine arts value this year. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $14,866. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $40,102. That is a strong return on a $14,866 median debt.

10

Cuny Kingsborough Community College placed #10 among the best values for fine arts. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $7,858. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $35,562. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11

Tulsa Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Bristol Community College earned the #12 position for value in fine arts this year. Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fall River. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,482 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $37,897 early in their careers. Set against $9,482 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Truckee Meadows Community College placed #13 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,352, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $12,290 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Truckee Meadows Community College earn a median of $52,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,290 median debt.

14
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College placed #14 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $11,889. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Houston Community College placed #15 among the best values for fine arts. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Delta College crest
Delta College
University Center, MI

Delta College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $14,075. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $37,342. That is a strong return on a $14,075 median debt.

17

Sussex County Community College earned the #17 position for value in fine arts this year. Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,544, while out-of-state students pay about $9,024. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Sussex County Community College generally make around $27,179. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System landed the #18 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Bucks County Community College landed the #19 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,068 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $37,711. Set against $13,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Erie Community College landed the #20 spot for fine arts value this year. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $12,580. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $37,069. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt.

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21

Springfield Technical Community College placed #21 among the best values for fine arts. Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $5,904, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,707 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Springfield Technical Community College earn a median of $42,457 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Capital Community College came in at #22 for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $22,100 early in their careers. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23
Temple College crest
Temple College
Temple, TX

Temple College landed the #23 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,524 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,617 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Temple College generally make around $55,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Brookdale Community College earned the #24 position for value in fine arts this year. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,270 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $37,374. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.

25

Westmoreland County Community College landed the #25 spot for fine arts value this year. Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Youngwood. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Fine Arts Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for fine arts this year:

26
27
28
Jefferson College crest
Jefferson College
Hillsboro, MO
29
30
31
32
Cecil College crest
Cecil College
North East, MD
33
34
35
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI
36
37
38
39
40
41
Rose State College crest
Rose State College
Midwest City, OK
42
43
44
45

Other Fine Arts Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Fine Arts rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Fine Arts
Bachelor's Degrees in Fine Arts
Master's Degrees in Fine Arts
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View All Fine Arts Rankings >

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Notes and References

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 · 749 schools evaluated.

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

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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