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2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in North Carolina

8 Colleges in the United States
$24,355 Avg Student Debt
$52,944 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Fine Arts Badge [Fine Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/fine-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for fine arts students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in North Carolina

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fine arts degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Fine Arts Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, our #1 best value for fine arts in North Carolina. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $14,600 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $24,005 early in their careers. Set against $14,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

2

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $25,000. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $18,745. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $40,578. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.

4

Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Western Carolina University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $26,000. 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. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at University Of North Carolina At Asheville, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,501, compared with $24,849 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,942 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $23,504. That is a strong return on a $23,942 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #6 for value in fine arts this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $25,855. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

7

Appalachian State University landed the #7 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,985 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $22,120. Set against $21,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.

8

East Carolina University earned the #8 position for value in fine arts this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $21,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.

9

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #9 among the best values for fine arts. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $26,672 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $43,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,672 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.

View All Fine Arts Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 23 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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