by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fine Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/fine-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 42 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value fine arts schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Southwestern Illinois College, our #1 best value for fine arts in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $44,345. Set against $10,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Illinois University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $26,196 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $26,000. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $21,954 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,781 to complete the fine arts program here. 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.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #5 spot 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. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $27,280 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $25,259 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
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University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #6 for value in fine arts this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $21,356. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $28,669 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,356 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University landed the #7 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $20,125. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $35,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #8 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $33,285. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Chicago landed the #9 spot for fine arts value this year. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,088. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $22,765 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago placed #10 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $23,521. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Chicago, School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $54,623 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $24,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
This list is compiled 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.