by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 45 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value fine arts schools.
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.
Leading the list is South Texas College, our #1 best value for fine arts in Texas. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M International University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. 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%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #3 place for fine arts. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $17,687 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $21,891 early in their careers. Set against $17,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Lone Star College System, which ranked #4. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #6 spot for fine arts value this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #7 among the best values for fine arts. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $44,510. Set against $25,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
Temple College earned the #8 position for value in fine arts this year. Temple College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Temple. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $7,524. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $16,617. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $55,262. That is a strong return on a $16,617 median debt.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #9 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $19,778. Fine Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $19,506 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #10 among the best values for fine arts. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $26,000. Fine Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $23,551 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $26,988. Fine Arts graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #12 spot for fine arts value this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $23,796. Fine Arts graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $54,201 early in their careers. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of North Texas landed the #13 spot for fine arts value this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $25,211. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #14 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $20,959 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $55,134. Set against $20,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Angelo State University came in at #15 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. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $24,783. Set against $21,477 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $26,562 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $25,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $24,057 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $25,927. Set against $24,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #18 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $26,928. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $28,445. Set against $26,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $30,999. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earned the #20 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $20,794. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $29,475. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $17,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Southern University landed the #21 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,637, with out-of-state students paying around $21,473. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $35,330 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Texas Southern University generally make around $41,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
West Texas A And M University came in at #22 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, compared with $10,996 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,333 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from West Texas A And M University generally make around $43,515. That is a strong return on a $22,333 median debt. West Texas A And M University admits about 99% of applicants.
Southwestern University landed the #23 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the city of Georgetown, Southwestern University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,613. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $24,975. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $36,990. Set against $24,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor landed the #24 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Belton, University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,300. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $26,782 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earn a median of $54,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,782 median debt. University Of Mary Hardin Baylor admits about 96% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University placed #25 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $38,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in fine arts:
This ranking is produced 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.