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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the Southwest Region

40 Colleges in the United States
$19,616 Avg Student Debt
$48,771 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Badge [Fine & Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 140 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fine & studio arts students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine & studio arts, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Texas A And M International University the best value for a degree in fine & studio arts in the Southwest Region. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $14,672 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $19,300. Set against $14,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in fine & studio arts will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #2. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $6,868. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

A rank of #3 makes El Paso Community College one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $9,347. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Oklahoma City Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Students borrow a median of $13,919 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $39,848 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

A rank of #5 makes Central New Mexico Community College one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.

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Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College came in at #6 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $7,476. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Austin Community College District ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $16,500. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt.

8

Tulsa Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $15,789 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.

9

The University Of Texas Pan American placed #9 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $17,687. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $21,891. That is a strong return on a $17,687 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

10

The University Of Texas At Brownsville ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. Students from in state pay about $3,148 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Students borrow a median of $10,058 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $30,343 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,058 median debt.

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Yavapai College crest
Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ

Yavapai College placed #11 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,948, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Students borrow a median of $14,087 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $52,087. Set against $14,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Houston Community College placed #12 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $19,223. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.

13
Temple College crest
Temple College
Temple, TX

Temple College earned the #13 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Temple College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Temple. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $7,524. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $16,617 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $55,262. Set against $16,617 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Rio Salado College earned the #14 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,679 median debt.

15

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #15 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $20,052. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

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Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $19,277. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $49,087 early in their careers. Set against $19,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.

17

Mohave Community College earned the #17 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Kingman. In-state tuition and fees average $2,208, while out-of-state students pay about $7,968. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $14,766 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Mohave Community College generally make around $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.

19

East Central University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. East Central University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ada. In-state tuition and fees average $8,032, while out-of-state students pay about $17,842. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $21,840 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of East Central University earn a median of $42,103 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

20

Texas Womans University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,019 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $35,115. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

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Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,531 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

22

Tyler Junior College landed the #22 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt.

23

University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #23 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $21,369 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $25,274. That is a strong return on a $21,369 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

24

Arizona Western College landed the #24 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers.

25

The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #25 among the best values for fine & studio arts. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $19,778. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $19,506. Set against $19,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fine & studio arts value ranking:

26
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX
27
28
29
30
Rose State College crest
Rose State College
Midwest City, OK
31
Phoenix College crest
Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 140 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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