2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Missouri
[Fine Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/fine-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find the best return on investment for fine arts students.
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2026 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fine Arts Schools
For return on investment in fine arts, no school beat Missouri Southern State University this year. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,241 to complete the fine arts program here. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Truman State University earned it the #2 place for fine arts. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $15,998. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Jefferson College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $13,664. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $47,560. That is a strong return on a $13,664 median debt.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $28,837. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $32,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Kansas City earned it the #5 place for fine arts. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $25,476 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
East Central College came in at #6 for value in fine arts this year. Set in the town of Union, East Central College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,272 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,680. Students borrow a median of $12,062 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of East Central College earn a median of $37,925 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,062 median debt.
Fontbonne University landed the #7 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Fontbonne University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,976. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $33,503. 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.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $68,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
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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 · 18 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.
