[Fine & Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1469 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fine & studio arts students.
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Finding the Best Value Fine & Studio Arts School for You
Where you study fine & studio arts affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Fine & Studio Arts 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.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #1 spot for value among fine & studio arts schools in the United States. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $15,886. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $28,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #3 place for fine & studio arts. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $12,000. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $22,633. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $16,448. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $41,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Cuny City College earned the #6 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $15,849 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $24,742 early in their careers. Set against $15,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #7 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $9,630. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $27,582. Set against $9,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #8 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Skyline College placed #9 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Cuny Queens College earned the #10 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,818 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $24,910. That is a strong return on a $12,818 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #11 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College placed #12 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $6,999. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
University Of Florida landed the #13 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $16,863. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $28,710. That is a strong return on a $16,863 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
College Of The Canyons placed #14 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles placed #15 among the best values for fine & studio arts. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $19,087 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $24,538. Set against $19,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #16 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College earned the #17 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College placed #19 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $11,850. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $38,734 early in their careers. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College earned the #20 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Golden West College came in at #21 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #23 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Monica College earned the #24 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $10,052. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $16,739 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for fine & studio arts this year:
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 · 1469 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 465 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).
[Fine & Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
