2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in Texas
[Fine & Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong fine & studio arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 81 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fine & studio arts students.
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2026 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in Texas
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
Texas A And M International University tops our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools in Texas. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $14,672. 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. The acceptance rate is 44%.
South Texas College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. 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. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Paso Community College earned it the #3 place for fine & studio arts. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $8,542. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $9,347 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Del Mar College earned it the #4 place for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $7,476. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Austin Community College District came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #6 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $17,687. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $21,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,687 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville came in at #7 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,148 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $10,058. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College came in at #8 for value in fine & studio arts this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
Temple College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,524. Students borrow a median of $16,617 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Temple College earn a median of $55,262 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,617 median debt.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #10 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $20,052. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
Lone Star College System placed #11 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University landed the #12 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $26,019 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $35,115 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,019 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #13 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. Set against $25,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #14 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Tyler Junior College earned the #15 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #16 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Lamar University came in at #17 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #18 for value in fine & studio arts this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $23,551. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #19 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Houston earned the #20 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,845 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $26,482. Set against $21,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas placed #21 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $25,211 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Tyler placed #22 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $20,959. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $55,134. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
Angelo State University landed the #23 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $21,477. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $24,783. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #24 for value in fine & studio arts this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $26,562 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $25,156. That is a strong return on a $26,562 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University placed #25 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $25,362. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fine & studio arts value ranking:
More Fine & Studio Arts Rankings
View All Fine & Studio Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 81 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
