2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in New York
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong fine arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 60 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value fine arts schools.
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2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fine Arts Schools
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among fine arts schools in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $10,000. Fine Arts graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $28,185 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for fine arts. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $22,633. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $9,630 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $27,582. That is a strong return on a $9,630 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $15,849. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $24,742. Set against $15,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,818 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $24,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $23,674. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $30,111. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #8 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $14,688. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College placed #9 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $7,858. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $35,562. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #10 spot for fine arts value this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $8,750. Fine Arts graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $14,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Erie Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt.
Suny College At Brockport ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $26,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Jamestown Community College came in at #13 for value in fine arts this year. Jamestown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Jamestown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,840. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $12,800. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Jamestown Community College generally make around $35,520. Set against $12,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Plattsburgh ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,035, with out-of-state students paying around $18,945. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $25,072. Fine Arts graduates of Suny College At Plattsburgh earn a median of $25,762 early in their careers. Set against $25,072 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University landed the #15 spot for fine arts value this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $16,000. Fine Arts graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art came in at #16 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of New York, Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,820. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $16,805 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $16,678. That is a strong return on a $16,805 median debt. Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art admits about 21% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Students borrow a median of $23,562 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $18,842 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Suny At Albany earned the #18 position for value in fine arts this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $22,625. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $27,610. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo came in at #19 for value in fine arts this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $24,370. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Suny College At Oswego ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Students borrow a median of $28,759 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $41,899. That is a strong return on a $28,759 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oneonta placed #21 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,781. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $22,046 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $27,031. That is a strong return on a $22,046 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Suny At Binghamton placed #22 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Students borrow a median of $22,286 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $25,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Fashion Institute Of Technology placed #23 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,174, while out-of-state students pay about $22,696. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $18,342 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Fashion Institute Of Technology generally make around $23,428. That is a strong return on a $18,342 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Alfred University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Alfred University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,138. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $22,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Hamilton College came in at #25 for value in fine arts this year. Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. In-state tuition and fees average $68,960. Students borrow a median of $16,131 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $48,806. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hamilton College admits about 14% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Fine Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for fine arts this year:
View All Fine Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
