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2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Pennsylvania

7 Colleges in the United States
$21,010 Avg Student Debt
$55,225 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Fine Arts Badge [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 45 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value fine arts schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Pennsylvania

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine arts, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Fine Arts Schools

1

Leading the list is Delaware County Community College, our #1 best value for fine arts in Pennsylvania. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $14,866 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $40,102. That is a strong return on a $14,866 median debt.

2
Swarthmore College crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

A rank of #2 makes Swarthmore College one of the best values for fine arts. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Swarthmore College generally make around $66,971. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Westmoreland County Community College, which ranked #3. Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Youngwood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $11,000. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bucks County Community College earned it the #4 place for fine arts. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $13,068. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $37,711. That is a strong return on a $13,068 median debt.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #5 place for fine arts. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Northampton County Area Community College came in at #6 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $18,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $35,960. That is a strong return on a $18,900 median debt.

7

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in fine arts this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $25,694. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

8

Pennsylvania Western University landed the #8 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.

9

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #9 spot for fine arts value this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,206, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $19,413. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

10
Messiah College crest
Messiah College
Mechanicsburg, PA

Messiah College earned the #10 position for value in fine arts this year. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,240. Students borrow a median of $26,195 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Messiah College generally make around $48,957. That is a strong return on a $26,195 median debt. Messiah College admits about 79% of applicants.

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11

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #11 among the best values for fine arts. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $23,477 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $26,709 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,477 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

12
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania placed #12 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $23,359 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $34,619. Set against $23,359 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

13

Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts landed the #13 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $17,887. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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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 · 45 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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