by our College Data Analytics Team
[Other Visual Art](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/other-visual-performing-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 93 schools to find the best return on investment for other visual art students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other visual art, balancing cost against outcomes.
Santa Monica College tops our 2026 list of the best value other visual art schools in the United States. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Students looking for strong value in other visual art will find it at University Of Washington Bothell Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. Students borrow a median of $15,636 to complete the other visual art program here. Soon after graduation, other visual art degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $65,932. Set against $15,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value other visual art schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the other visual art program here. Early-career other visual art graduates make about $52,885. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Portland State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other visual art, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the other visual art program here. Soon after graduation, other visual art degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in other visual art will find it at Brigham Young University Provo, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the other visual art program here. Early-career other visual art graduates make about $54,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
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Southern Arkansas University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in other visual art this year. Located in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,960, while out-of-state students pay about $15,690. Other Visual Art graduates carry a median of $20,385 in student loans. Early-career other visual art graduates make about $41,723. Set against $20,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #7 spot for other visual art value this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Other Visual Art graduates carry a median of $26,971 in student loans. Early-career other visual art graduates make about $86,770. That is a strong return on a $26,971 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Clemson University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value other visual art schools. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Students borrow a median of $26,972 to complete the other visual art program here. Early-career other visual art graduates make about $24,229. Set against $26,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
Grambling State University came in at #9 for value in other visual art this year. Grambling State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Grambling. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,683, with out-of-state students paying around $16,706. Students borrow a median of $43,500 to complete the other visual art program here. Other Visual Art graduates of Grambling State University earn a median of $34,580 early in their careers. Set against $43,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Lawrence University placed #10 among the best values for other visual art. Located in the city of Appleton, Lawrence University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,982. Students borrow a median of $15,699 to complete the other visual art program here. Median earnings reach $55,789 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lawrence University admits about 64% of applicants.
Baldwin Wallace College placed #11 among the best values for other visual art. Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Berea. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,832. Other Visual Art graduates carry a median of $27,307 in student loans. Other Visual Art graduates of Baldwin Wallace College earn a median of $46,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Baldwin Wallace College admits about 76% of applicants.
Clark University earned the #12 position for value in other visual art this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,467 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other visual art graduates is $26,153. Early-career other visual art graduates make about $43,257. That is a strong return on a $26,153 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Holyoke College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value other visual art schools. Located in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,018. Other Visual Art graduates carry a median of $22,041 in student loans. Early-career other visual art graduates make about $35,038. That is a strong return on a $22,041 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Duke University earned the #14 position for value in other visual art this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Other Visual Art graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Early-career other visual art graduates make about $83,388. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
New York University came in at #15 for value in other visual art this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Other Visual Art graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other visual art degree recipients from New York University generally make around $28,990. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Other Visual Art rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 93 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.