2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Kansas
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong fine arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 12 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 Kansas
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 Washburn University the best value for a degree in fine arts in Kansas. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $21,175. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Hays State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $22,937 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $31,909 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Kansas earned it the #3 place for fine arts. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $22,361. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $22,868. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Wichita State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $28,150 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $27,518. That is a strong return on a $28,150 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Kansas State University one of the best values for fine arts. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
View All Fine Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
