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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong fine arts education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 70 schools to find the best return on investment for fine arts students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fine arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Harvard University the best value for a degree in fine arts in the New England Region. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $16,616. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bristol Community College earned it the #2 place for fine arts. Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fall River. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $9,482 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $37,897. That is a strong return on a $9,482 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rhode Island College earned it the #3 place for fine arts. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $45,088 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Springfield Technical Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,904, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,707 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Springfield Technical Community College generally make around $42,457. Set against $9,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Capital Community College, which ranked #5. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $22,100. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
1
2
3
4
5
Bridgewater State University placed #6 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $29,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Southern Maine landed the #7 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $18,703 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $21,058 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Keene State College placed #8 among the best values for fine arts. Keene State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Keene. In-state tuition and fees average $14,784, while out-of-state students pay about $26,840. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $31,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine landed the #9 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,050. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $47,975. That is a strong return on a $27,050 median debt. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Rhode Island earned the #10 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $16,625 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $21,167. That is a strong return on a $16,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Bowdoin College earned the #11 position for value in fine arts this year. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,832. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $20,658 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $58,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Connecticut State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willimantic. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,928, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $22,250. Fine Arts graduates of Eastern Connecticut State University earn a median of $23,534 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Plymouth State University earned the #13 position for value in fine arts this year. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,626, compared with $25,566 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Plymouth State University earn a median of $30,491 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Western Connecticut State University came in at #14 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,401, compared with $16,901 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $25,332 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $47,559. That is a strong return on a $25,332 median debt. Western Connecticut State University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Vermont landed the #15 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $24,497. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut landed the #16 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $24,419 early in their careers. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
Southern Connecticut State University earned the #17 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,442, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $26,549. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Vermont Technical College placed #18 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,952 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,296. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $24,208. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Vermont Technical College generally make around $30,233. Set against $24,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Wellesley College came in at #19 for value in fine arts this year. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. In-state tuition and fees average $67,176. Students borrow a median of $11,075 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $48,902 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,075 median debt. Wellesley College admits about 14% of applicants.
Colby College landed the #20 spot for fine arts value this year. Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waterville. In-state tuition and fees average $69,600. Students borrow a median of $22,016 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Colby College generally make around $46,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 7%.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,368 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $52,064 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #22 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,000. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $18,072 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design earned the #23 position for value in fine arts this year. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,400, compared with $43,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Massachusetts College Of Art And Design generally make around $38,090. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Wesleyan University landed the #24 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,042. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Wesleyan University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Dartmouth College earned the #25 position for value in fine arts this year. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. In-state tuition and fees average $68,019. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $13,663. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $30,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fine arts value ranking:
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
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 · 70 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.