DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 1
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 50.07), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Fine Arts (MFA) (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Fine Arts (MFA) (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 1
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 1 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 1
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 0 offers with relevance >= 0.9
DEBUG: Backfilling with 1 offers with relevance >= 0.8
2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fine & studio arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
Leading the list is College Of Dupage, our #1 best value for fine & studio arts in Illinois. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in fine & studio arts will find it at Southwestern Illinois College, which ranked #2. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. That is a strong return on a $10,388 median debt.
Saint Xavier University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $51,753 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,735 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Western Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $26,196. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #5 place for fine & studio arts. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $26,000. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $21,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
ADBLOCK #101
Northern Illinois University placed #6 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,781 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $26,795. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #7 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Students borrow a median of $20,319 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $30,845. That is a strong return on a $20,319 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #8 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $40,891. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $21,356. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $28,669. Set against $21,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #10 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $27,280 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $25,259. That is a strong return on a $27,280 median debt. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
[Fine & Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) 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.
