by our College Data Analytics Team
[Digital Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/general-visual-performing-arts/digital-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong digital arts education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for digital arts students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in digital arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Cuny Queensborough Community College, our #1 best value for digital arts in New York. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the digital arts program here. Early-career digital arts graduates make about $23,674. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in digital arts will find it at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for digital arts graduates is $11,246. Early-career digital arts graduates make about $23,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Bronx Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in digital arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. Digital Arts graduates carry a median of $8,224 in student loans. Soon after graduation, digital arts degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $18,700. Set against $8,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Genesee Community College earned it the #4 place for digital arts. Set in the town of Batavia, Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,900, while out-of-state students pay about $6,500. Typical student debt for digital arts graduates is $15,991. Soon after graduation, digital arts degree recipients from Genesee Community College generally make around $40,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in digital arts will find it at Suny College At Old Westbury, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Typical student debt for digital arts graduates is $20,274. Early-career digital arts graduates make about $44,443. Set against $20,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
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Suny Westchester Community College came in at #6 for value in digital arts this year. Set in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,486. Digital Arts graduates carry a median of $8,764 in student loans. Early-career digital arts graduates make about $57,520. That is a strong return on a $8,764 median debt.
The College Of Westchester earned the #7 position for value in digital arts this year. Set in the city of White Plains, The College Of Westchester is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,191 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,570 to complete the digital arts program here. Early-career digital arts graduates make about $20,163. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Daemen College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value digital arts schools. Located in the suburb of Amherst, Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,218 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for digital arts graduates is $28,358. Digital Arts graduates of Daemen College earn a median of $63,542 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,358 median debt. Daemen College admits about 68% of applicants.
Stony Brook University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value digital arts schools. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the digital arts program here. Early-career digital arts graduates make about $60,047. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Suny College At Oneonta came in at #10 for value in digital arts this year. Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oneonta. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,781. Typical student debt for digital arts graduates is $24,250. Digital Arts graduates of Suny College At Oneonta earn a median of $19,135 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
