[Painting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/painting/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 69 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value painting schools.
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Finding the Best Value Painting School for You
The right painting school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Painting Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Painting Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked University Of Washington Seattle Campus the best value for a degree in painting in the United States. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Painting graduates carry a median of $13,667 in student loans. Painting graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Set against $13,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rhode Island College earned it the #2 place for painting. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the painting program here. Early-career painting graduates make about $28,241. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in painting will find it at University Of Houston, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,845 to complete the painting program here. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $26,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Southern Maine one of the best values for painting. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $18,703. Painting graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $21,058 early in their careers. Set against $18,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
South Dakota State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in painting, landing the #5 spot this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the painting program here. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $51,260. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Ferris State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value painting schools. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Painting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $24,540. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Suny College At Buffalo landed the #7 spot for painting value this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $23,000. Early-career painting graduates make about $24,041. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University came in at #8 for value in painting this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Painting graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $22,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Wichita State University came in at #9 for value in painting this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Painting graduates carry a median of $28,150 in student loans. Painting graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Fredonia ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value painting schools. Set in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,771 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $25,806. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Suny At Fredonia generally make around $34,764. That is a strong return on a $25,806 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #11 for value in painting this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Painting graduates carry a median of $23,562 in student loans. Early-career painting graduates make about $18,842. That is a strong return on a $23,562 median debt. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico placed #12 among the best values for painting. Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico is a small public school located in the city of San Juan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,902, while out-of-state students pay about $8,502. Early-career painting graduates make about $7,453. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #13 spot for painting value this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Painting graduates carry a median of $23,374 in student loans. Painting graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $20,934 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Aquinas College Michigan ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value painting schools. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Aquinas College Michigan is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,218. Students borrow a median of $25,925 to complete the painting program here. Painting graduates of Aquinas College Michigan earn a median of $40,708 early in their careers. Set against $25,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Purchase College placed #15 among the best values for painting. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,016 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,266. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $23,850. Painting graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $14,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Purchase College admits about 74% of applicants.
Shawnee State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value painting schools. Located in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,448 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,032 for out-of-state students. Painting graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. Early-career painting graduates make about $42,878. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value painting schools. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Painting graduates carry a median of $28,850 in student loans. Early-career painting graduates make about $44,294. Set against $28,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #18 for value in painting 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. Painting graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #19 for value in painting this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Painting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $29,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #20 position for value in painting this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $28,501. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. That is a strong return on a $28,501 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Alfred University placed #21 among the best values for painting. Alfred University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Alfred. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,138. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the painting program here. Early-career painting graduates make about $22,178. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alfred University admits about 74% of applicants.
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value painting schools. Located in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,400, while out-of-state students pay about $43,400. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Massachusetts College Of Art And Design generally make around $38,090. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Boston University landed the #23 spot for painting value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the painting program here. Early-career painting graduates make about $27,226. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Temple University came in at #24 for value in painting this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the painting program here. Early-career painting graduates make about $24,558. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Minneapolis College Of Art And Design came in at #25 for value in painting this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,484. Painting graduates carry a median of $30,250 in student loans. Early-career painting graduates make about $19,524. That is a strong return on a $30,250 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Painting Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in painting:
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 · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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).
[Painting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/painting/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
