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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Associate’s Degree Schools

29 Colleges in the United States
$12,175 Avg Student Debt
$42,593 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Associate's Degree Badge [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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1469 schools to find the best return on investment for fine & studio arts students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine & studio arts, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools

1
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in fine & studio arts in the United States. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

San Diego Miramar College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.

3
Skyline College crest
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

A rank of #3 makes Skyline College one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.

4

Mt San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #5 spot this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons placed #6 among the best values for fine & studio arts. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.

7

Santa Rosa Junior College placed #7 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. 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.

8
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College came in at #8 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.

9

Irvine Valley College landed the #9 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $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.

10
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College landed the #10 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $38,734. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College came in at #11 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.

12
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College came in at #12 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13
Oxnard College crest
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College earned the #13 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.

14
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.

15

Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #15 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $16,739. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.

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16
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College placed #16 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Santiago Canyon College came in at #17 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College came in at #18 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.

19

Pasadena City College placed #19 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $9,191. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.

20
West Valley College crest
West Valley College
Saratoga, CA

West Valley College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.

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21

Fresno City College earned the #21 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $7,234. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.

22
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College came in at #22 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $45,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College earned the #23 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage came in at #24 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $12,492. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Cypress College earned the #25 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in fine & studio arts:

26
27
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA
28
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, CA
29
Citrus College crest
Citrus College
Glendora, CA
30
Chabot College crest
Chabot College
Hayward, CA
31
32
Las Positas College crest
Las Positas College
Livermore, CA
33
34
Shasta College crest
Shasta College
Redding, CA
35
36
Butte College crest
Butte College
Oroville, CA
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA
44
Norco College crest
Norco College
Norco, CA
45
46
47
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
48
Reedley College crest
Reedley College
Reedley, CA
49
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA
50

Other Fine & Studio Arts Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Fine & Studio Arts rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Fine & Studio Arts
Bachelor's Degrees in Fine & Studio Arts
Master's Degrees in Fine & Studio Arts
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View All Fine & Studio Arts Rankings >

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Notes and References

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 29 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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