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 136 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value fine arts schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fine arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among fine arts schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $10,000. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $28,185. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $22,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $9,630 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $27,582. That is a strong return on a $9,630 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #4 place for fine arts. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $15,849. Fine Arts graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $24,742 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,818 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $24,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
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Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. 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. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #7 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $9,500. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $30,111. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Hudson County Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,384, while out-of-state students pay about $9,248. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $6,899 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Hudson County Community College earn a median of $22,619 early in their careers. Set against $6,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $14,688. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $51,911. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #10 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $8,750. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $14,920. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Raritan Valley Community College placed #11 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $9,668 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned the #12 position for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $35,562 early in their careers. Set against $7,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware County Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. 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. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $40,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #14 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $32,031 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Sussex County Community College placed #15 among the best values for fine arts. Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,544, with out-of-state students paying around $9,024. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Sussex County Community College earn a median of $27,179 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Erie Community College came in at #16 for value in fine arts 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, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. 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.
Bucks County Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $13,068 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $37,711 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,068 median debt.
Westmoreland County Community College landed the #18 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $14,728. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brookdale Community College came in at #19 for value in fine arts this year. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. Students from in state pay about $6,270 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
New Jersey City University earned the #20 position for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $47,083. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University placed #21 among the best values for fine arts. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $17,978. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $29,958. Set against $17,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Passaic County Community College placed #22 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,560. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $9,581 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $28,957. That is a strong return on a $9,581 median debt.
Cecil College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the rural area of North East, Cecil College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,640, while out-of-state students pay about $10,830. Median earnings reach $43,952 ten years out.
Northampton County Area Community College earned the #24 position for value in fine arts this year. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $18,900 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $35,960 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kean University earned the #25 position for value in fine arts this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $25,928. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
These schools also delivered strong value for fine arts this year:
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This ranking is produced 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 · 136 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
