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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in New York

50 Colleges in the United States
$19,117 Avg Student Debt
$60,890 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Badge [Fine & Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 102 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 New York

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

1
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

For return on investment in fine & studio arts, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $10,000. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $28,185 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $12,000. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $22,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

3

Students looking for strong value in fine & studio arts will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $9,630 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $27,582 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

4
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #4 spot 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. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $15,849. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $24,742. Set against $15,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #5 place for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.

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6

Cuny Queensborough Community College placed #6 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $16,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College landed the #7 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $38,734 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,850 median debt.

8

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #8 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $13,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #9 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.

10

Hudson Valley Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $12,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $43,989. That is a strong return on a $12,868 median debt.

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11

Cuny Kingsborough Community College placed #11 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $7,858. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $35,562. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $14,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Niagara County Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $13,970. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Niagara County Community College generally make around $36,258. That is a strong return on a $13,970 median debt.

14

Onondaga Community College placed #14 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Onondaga Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,392. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $12,623 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $35,781. Set against $12,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Erie Community College placed #15 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $12,580. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $37,069. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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16

Monroe Community College came in at #16 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Students borrow a median of $9,481 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,481 median debt.

17
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College landed the #17 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,125 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $39,946 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Mohawk Valley Community College placed #18 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $11,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Mohawk Valley Community College generally make around $38,373. That is a strong return on a $11,900 median debt.

19

Suny College At Buffalo ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $23,000. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $24,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.

20

Suny College At Brockport landed the #20 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $23,000. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $26,855 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

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21

Jamestown Community College earned the #21 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Jamestown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Jamestown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,840. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $12,800. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Jamestown Community College generally make around $35,520. Set against $12,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22
Suny At Fredonia crest
Suny At Fredonia
Fredonia, NY

Suny At Fredonia landed the #22 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, while out-of-state students pay about $19,771. Students borrow a median of $25,806 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $34,764. That is a strong return on a $25,806 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

23

Suny College At Plattsburgh earned the #23 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,035, while out-of-state students pay about $18,945. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $25,072. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $25,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

24
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University came in at #24 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $16,000. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.

25

Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art earned the #25 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of New York, Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,820. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $16,805. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $16,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.

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
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Studio Jewelers crest
Studio Jewelers
New York, NY
36
Alfred University crest
Alfred University
Alfred, NY
37
Hamilton College crest
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY
38
39
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY
40
Nazareth College crest
Nazareth College
Rochester, NY
41
42
43
44
Bard College crest
Bard College
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY
45
Skidmore College crest
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY
46
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY
47
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY
48
Vassar College crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY
49
50
Barnard College crest
Barnard College
New York, NY

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 102 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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