by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fine & Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fine & studio arts students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine & studio arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Washburn University earned the #1 spot for value among fine & studio arts schools in Kansas. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $21,175. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in fine & studio arts will find it at Fort Hays State University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $22,937. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $31,909. That is a strong return on a $22,937 median debt. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wichita State University earned it the #3 place for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $28,150 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $27,518 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,150 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #4 makes Emporia State University one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Students borrow a median of $25,129 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $19,276. Set against $25,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Kansas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $22,361. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $22,868 early in their careers. Set against $22,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
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Kansas State University placed #6 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $28,218. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University landed the #7 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $22,669. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $50,003. Set against $22,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.