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2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Southwest Region
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
Our analysis ranked Texas A And M International University the best value for a degree in fine arts in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $14,672 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $19,300. That is a strong return on a $14,672 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #2 spot this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $6,868. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $17,687. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $21,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tulsa Community College earned it the #4 place for fine arts. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $15,789 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $41,718. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $19,223. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
ADBLOCK #101
Lone Star College System placed #6 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
Temple College placed #7 among the best values for fine arts. Temple College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Temple. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $7,524. Students borrow a median of $16,617 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Temple College earn a median of $55,262 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,617 median debt.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $21,369. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $25,274. Set against $21,369 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #9 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,531 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $44,510. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona Western College placed #10 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $44,895.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $19,778 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $19,506 early in their careers. Set against $19,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #12 spot for fine arts value this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $23,551. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Lamar University placed #13 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #14 among the best values for fine arts. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $54,201 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Mesalands Community College landed the #15 spot for fine arts value this year. Mesalands Community College is a small public school located in the town of Tucumcari. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $3,408. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Mesalands Community College generally make around $35,517.
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public school located in the city of Chandler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $10,447. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $13,750. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Community College Phoenix earned the #23 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $15,736 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $50,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Angelo State University came in at #24 for value in fine arts this year. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Students borrow a median of $21,477 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $24,783 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
South Mountain Community College landed the #25 spot for fine arts value this year. South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,825.
Rest of the Top 44 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
