2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 76 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value fine arts schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the The Plains States 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
For return on investment in fine arts, no school beat University Of Minnesota Morris this year. University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public school located in the town of Morris. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,526, with out-of-state students paying around $16,710. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $19,797 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Morris generally make around $44,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Jefferson College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. Students from in state pay about $5,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $13,664. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $47,560. Set against $13,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Truman State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $15,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at University Of Missouri St Louis, which ranked #4. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,837 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $32,224 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,837 median debt. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Missouri Southern State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $22,241 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $29,309 early in their careers. Set against $22,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Fort Hays State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $22,937 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $31,909. That is a strong return on a $22,937 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Washburn University landed the #7 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #8 for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $26,202. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $28,942. That is a strong return on a $26,202 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #9 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $25,476. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #10 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $26,500. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $24,095. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
East Central College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. East Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Union. In-state tuition and fees average $4,272, compared with $7,680 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $12,062 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $37,925. That is a strong return on a $12,062 median debt.
Wichita State University came in at #12 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $28,150 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $27,518. That is a strong return on a $28,150 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #13 among the best values for fine arts. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $28,783. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas placed #14 among the best values for fine arts. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $22,361 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $22,868. That is a strong return on a $22,361 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
South Dakota State University landed the #15 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $24,989. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $51,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Kansas State University placed #16 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $28,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Minnesota State University Moorhead earned the #17 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,428. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of $30,521 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Black Hills State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,916, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Students borrow a median of $26,820 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Black Hills State University generally make around $42,789. Set against $26,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Fontbonne University came in at #19 for value in fine arts this year. Fontbonne University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $29,976 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $33,503 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Fontbonne University generally make around $46,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $38,717 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #21 spot for fine arts value this year. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public school located in the city of Duluth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $24,624 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $25,660. That is a strong return on a $24,624 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Hastings College landed the #22 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the town of Hastings, Hastings College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,770. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Hastings College generally make around $42,417. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Washington University In St Louis earned the #23 position for value in fine arts this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $68,303. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Minneapolis College Of Art And Design landed the #24 spot for fine arts value this year. Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,484. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $30,250 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $19,524. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Carleton College came in at #25 for value in fine arts this year. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,892. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $17,566 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $45,096. That is a strong return on a $17,566 median debt. Roughly 20% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Fine Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fine arts value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 76 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
