2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in Colorado

1

Metropolitan State College Of Denver
Denver, CO

For return on investment in fine & studio arts, no school beat Metropolitan State College Of Denver this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $26,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

2

Mesa State College
Grand Junction, CO

Mesa State College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Students borrow a median of $22,310 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $27,136. Set against $22,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

3

Western State College Of Colorado
Gunnison, CO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western State College Of Colorado earned it the #3 place for fine & studio arts. Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Gunnison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,318, while out-of-state students pay about $24,434. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $23,455 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Western State College Of Colorado generally make around $36,712. That is a strong return on a $23,455 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

4

Fort Lewis College
Durango, CO

A rank of #4 makes Fort Lewis College one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,958, compared with $21,526 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Fort Lewis College earn a median of $22,754 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants.

5

University Of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Northern Colorado earned it the #5 place for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $40,026. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Colorado Denver ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Students borrow a median of $25,490 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $31,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.

7

Colorado State University Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #7 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $30,143 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.

8

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #8 for value in fine & studio arts this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $17,501. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

9

Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado College placed #9 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. Students from in state pay about $70,734 in tuition and fees. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $37,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 18%.

10

University Of Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Denver came in at #10 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $22,534. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $36,943. Set against $22,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.