2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Wisconsin

[Fine Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/fine-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong fine arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value fine arts schools.
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2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Wisconsin
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
For return on investment in fine arts, no school beat University Of Wisconsin Madison 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, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $19,316 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $30,719. Set against $19,316 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh one of the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $38,585 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Wisconsin Stout one of the best values for fine arts. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $43,743 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design generally make around $20,762. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design admits about 60% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.