by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value fine & studio arts schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fine & studio arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Community College Of Rhode Island earned the #1 spot for value among fine & studio arts schools in Rhode Island. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $10,250. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $18,544. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rhode Island College earned it the #2 place for fine & studio arts. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $23,500. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $28,241. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. In-state tuition and fees average $16,942, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $16,625. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $21,167. That is a strong return on a $16,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brown University earned it the #4 place for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $17,300. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $23,180. That is a strong return on a $17,300 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Students looking for strong value in fine & studio arts will find it at Rhode Island School Of Design, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Providence, Rhode Island School Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $22,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
1
2
3
4
5
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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.