2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Ohio
[Fine Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/fine-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong fine arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fine arts students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fine Arts Schools
Our analysis ranked Youngstown State University the best value for a degree in fine arts in Ohio. 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, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $29,203 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Cleveland State University one of the best values for fine arts. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,978. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $23,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Ohio University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $29,756 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Shawnee State University earned it the #4 place for fine arts. Located in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,448, compared with $16,032 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $28,750. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $19,261. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt.
Kent State University At Kent is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $28,501. Fine Arts graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $19,138 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,501 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $31,128 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Otterbein University landed the #7 spot for fine arts value this year. Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Westerville. Students from in state pay about $35,548 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $25,282. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $45,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #8 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $28,943. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $29,431 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,943 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Cedarville University landed the #9 spot for fine arts value this year. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,150. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $22,110. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $57,104. That is a strong return on a $22,110 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
The College Of Wooster ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the town of Wooster, The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,640 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,936 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from The College Of Wooster generally make around $32,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The College Of Wooster admits about 60% of applicants.
Columbus College Of Art And Design ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,825. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Columbus College Of Art And Design generally make around $25,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Oberlin College earned the #12 position for value in fine arts this year. Located in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,366. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Oberlin College generally make around $25,146. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
View All Fine Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
