by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fine Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/fine-arts/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 134 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value fine arts schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fine arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Delta College the best value for a degree in fine arts in the Great Lakes Region. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $14,075 in student loans. 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.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $27,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Southeast earned it the #4 place for fine arts. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $18,942. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $31,194. Set against $18,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Southwestern Illinois College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. That is a strong return on a $10,388 median debt.
1
2
3
4
5
Western Illinois University landed the #6 spot for fine arts value this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $26,196. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Indiana University South Bend ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $25,295 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $23,308. That is a strong return on a $25,295 median debt. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #8 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $21,954 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $25,781. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $26,795. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Grand Rapids Community College placed #10 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,179, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Students borrow a median of $11,780 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $41,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Youngstown State University came in at #11 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $29,203. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $21,128. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $27,114. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $33,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $26,873 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $27,775 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
Ferris State University placed #15 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $24,540. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #16 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $21,356 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $28,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Indiana State University placed #17 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Students borrow a median of $26,959 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $53,952. Set against $26,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #18 spot for fine arts value this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Students borrow a median of $27,280 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $25,259. Set against $27,280 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #19 position for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $38,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ball State University placed #20 among the best values for fine arts. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $25,637 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $28,405 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,637 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University came in at #21 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $25,972. Fine Arts graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $22,840 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #22 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $19,316. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $30,719. Set against $19,316 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $33,285. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Wisconsin Stout placed #24 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $25,821 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $30,077. That is a strong return on a $25,821 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Central Michigan University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $18,117. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fine arts value ranking:
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
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 · 134 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.