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2026 Best Value Painting Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the painting degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Painting Schools
Leading the list is University Of Washington Seattle Campus, our #1 best value for painting in the United States. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $13,667 to complete the painting program here. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Set against $13,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Rhode Island College one of the best values for painting. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Painting graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $28,241. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston earned it the #3 place for painting. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $21,845. Early-career painting graduates make about $26,482. That is a strong return on a $21,845 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Southern Maine earned it the #4 place for painting. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,703 to complete the painting program here. Early-career painting graduates make about $21,058. That is a strong return on a $18,703 median debt. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ferris State University earned it the #5 place for painting. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Painting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career painting graduates make about $24,540. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
ADBLOCK #101
Suny College At Buffalo earned the #6 position for value in painting this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the painting program here. Painting graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $24,041 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value painting schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University came in at #8 for value in painting this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $28,150 to complete the painting program here. 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. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Suny At Fredonia landed the #9 spot for painting value this year. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,831, while out-of-state students pay about $19,771. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $25,806. Early-career painting graduates make about $34,764. That is a strong return on a $25,806 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value painting schools. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Students borrow a median of $23,562 to complete the painting program here. Early-career painting graduates make about $18,842. That is a strong return on a $23,562 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico placed #11 among the best values for painting. Set in the city of San Juan, Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,902, compared with $8,502 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico generally make around $7,453. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #12 spot for painting value this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Students borrow a median of $23,374 to complete the painting program here. Early-career painting graduates make about $21,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Aquinas College Michigan came in at #13 for value in painting this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Aquinas College Michigan is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,218. Students borrow a median of $25,925 to complete the painting program here. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Aquinas College Michigan generally make around $40,708. That is a strong return on a $25,925 median debt. Aquinas College Michigan admits about 90% of applicants.
Suny At Purchase College earned the #14 position for value in painting this year. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,016, compared with $19,266 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $23,850. Early-career painting graduates make about $14,984. Set against $23,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Purchase College admits about 74% of applicants.
Shawnee State University earned the #15 position for value in painting this year. Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Portsmouth. In-state tuition and fees average $9,448, compared with $16,032 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the painting program here. Painting graduates of Shawnee State University earn a median of $42,878 early in their careers. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #16 for value in painting this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $28,850. Early-career painting graduates make about $44,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis placed #17 among the best values for painting. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the painting program here. Painting graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #18 for value in painting this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Painting graduates carry a median of $28,501 in student loans. Early-career painting graduates make about $44,776. That is a strong return on a $28,501 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in painting this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the painting program here. Painting graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $29,053 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Alfred University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value painting schools. 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. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $27,000. Painting graduates of Alfred University earn a median of $22,912 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design placed #21 among the best values for painting. Located in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,400 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,400 for out-of-state students. Painting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career painting graduates make about $21,461. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design admits about 76% of applicants.
Boston University came in at #22 for value in painting this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the painting program here. Early-career painting graduates make about $17,374. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Temple University earned the #23 position for value in painting this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the painting program here. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $22,108. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Minneapolis College Of Art And Design placed #24 among the best values for painting. Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $45,484. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $30,250. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Minneapolis College Of Art And Design generally make around $14,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minneapolis College Of Art And Design admits about 48% of applicants.
Kansas City Art Institute placed #25 among the best values for painting. Kansas City Art Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $44,550 in tuition and fees. Painting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career painting graduates make about $22,906. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Painting Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s painting value ranking:
Other Painting Degree Levels
Explore the best-value painting schools at other degree levels:
[Painting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/painting/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
