2026 Best Value Painting Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Painting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/painting/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong painting education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for painting students.
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2026 Best Value Painting Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in painting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Painting Schools
South Dakota State University tops our 2026 list of the best value painting schools in the The Plains States Region. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
A rank of #2 makes Wichita State University one of the best values for painting. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $28,150. Painting graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,150 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in painting will find it at Washington University In St Louis, which ranked #3. 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 painting program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Minneapolis College Of Art And Design came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value painting schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,484. Painting graduates carry a median of $30,250 in student loans. Early-career painting graduates make about $19,524. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Kansas City Art Institute came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value painting schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Art Institute is a small private not-for-profit university. 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. The acceptance rate is 55%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
