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2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fine Arts Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $16,863. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $28,710. Set against $16,863 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $28,726 early in their careers. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Kentucky University earned it the #3 place for fine arts. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $25,724 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $31,448. Set against $25,724 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Florida State University one of the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,222 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $28,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $28,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
ADBLOCK #101
The University Of West Florida ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $16,750. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $23,843. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida came in at #7 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $22,036. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $23,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University earned the #8 position for value in fine arts this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $17,250. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $22,334. Set against $17,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #9 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $14,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $24,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Murray State University placed #10 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $21,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of North Florida placed #11 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $31,770. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #12 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $18,745 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #13 among the best values for fine arts. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,375. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $25,596. That is a strong return on a $27,375 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke placed #14 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $40,578 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $21,947 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $26,323. Set against $21,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $22,375. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $23,530. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
Nicholls State University placed #17 among the best values for fine arts. Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Thibodaux. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,149, with out-of-state students paying around $9,242. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $20,966 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Nicholls State University generally make around $33,877. That is a strong return on a $20,966 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Morehead State University earned the #18 position for value in fine arts this year. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $17,301 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University came in at #19 for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $28,291. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,501, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $23,942 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $23,504 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Western Carolina University earned the #21 position for value in fine arts this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, compared with $8,630 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 Western Carolina University generally make around $24,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,225 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $18,337 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University landed the #23 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Students borrow a median of $13,935 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $19,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of New Orleans earned the #24 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,172 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,008. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $23,048. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of New Orleans generally make around $42,720. Set against $23,048 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of South Carolina Aiken placed #25 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,760, with out-of-state students paying around $21,218. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $23,567. Fine Arts graduates of University Of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of $19,963 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Fine Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for fine arts this year:
Narrow Fine Arts Schools by State
[Fine Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/fine-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong fine arts education at a price that pays off.
