2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in Virginia

1

Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA

For return on investment in fine & studio arts, no school beat Northern Virginia Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

3

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

A rank of #3 makes Old Dominion University one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $31,000. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $27,535. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.

4

Radford University
Radford, VA

A rank of #4 makes Radford University one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,548 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $26,000. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $23,308. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

5

Thomas Nelson Community College
Hampton, VA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Thomas Nelson Community College earned it the #5 place for fine & studio arts. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,088, with out-of-state students paying around $11,526. Students borrow a median of $14,402 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Thomas Nelson Community College earn a median of $36,758 early in their careers. Set against $14,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Norfolk State University
Norfolk, VA

Norfolk State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,180, with out-of-state students paying around $21,682. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Norfolk State University generally make around $54,971. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

7

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #7 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,374 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $20,934. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

8

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Students borrow a median of $23,001 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $33,501. That is a strong return on a $23,001 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington came in at #9 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,905, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $24,013 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.

10

College Of William And Mary
Williamsburg, VA

College Of William And Mary ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $18,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $29,752. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.

11

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $23,372. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 17%.

12

Hollins University
Roanoke, VA

Hollins University earned the #12 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Roanoke. Students from in state pay about $43,560 in tuition and fees. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $26,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

13

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #13 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $26,323 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $36,927 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.

14

University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

University Of Richmond landed the #14 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $65,230. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $21,634. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Richmond earn a median of $53,815 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.