2027 Best Value Art Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Art Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/art-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong art education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 63 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value art education schools.
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2027 Best Value Art Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Art Education Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in art education in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Art Education graduates carry a median of $17,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $58,732. Set against $17,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Saint Xavier University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value art education schools. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $27,194. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $46,835. That is a strong return on a $27,194 median debt. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in art education will find it at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Art Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $47,755. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Southeast earned it the #4 place for art education. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $23,981. Early-career art education graduates make about $43,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art education, landing the #5 spot this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $27,000. Art Education graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $45,862 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #6 for value in art education this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the art education program here. Early-career art education graduates make about $51,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for art education value this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the art education program here. Early-career art education graduates make about $44,923. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value art education schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $26,746. Art Education graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $51,839 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,746 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Indiana University South Bend earned the #9 position for value in art education this year. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,498 to complete the art education program here. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $43,058. That is a strong return on a $26,498 median debt. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of St Francis placed #10 among the best values for art education. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,110. Students borrow a median of $25,695 to complete the art education program here. Early-career art education graduates make about $59,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants.
Wayne State University earned the #11 position for value in art education this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Art Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career art education graduates make about $45,675. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Michigan Flint placed #12 among the best values for art education. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Art Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $43,077. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #13 for value in art education this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Art Education graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans. Art Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $63,267 early in their careers. Set against $26,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value art education schools. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,008 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Art Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career art education graduates make about $43,296. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin River Falls admits about 82% of applicants.
Ball State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value art education schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $24,998. Art Education graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $49,745 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,998 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Youngstown State University placed #16 among the best values for art education. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $26,751. Early-career art education graduates make about $33,398. Set against $26,751 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Albion College earned the #17 position for value in art education this year. Set in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,950. Students borrow a median of $26,047 to complete the art education program here. Art Education graduates of Albion College earn a median of $40,829 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,047 median debt. Albion College admits about 81% of applicants.
Northern Michigan University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value art education schools. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Art Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $48,767. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne came in at #19 for value in art education this year. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the art education program here. Art Education graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne earn a median of $43,576 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #20 position for value in art education this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the art education program here. Early-career art education graduates make about $50,587. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #21 for value in art education this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $27,000. Art Education graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $39,613 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Carroll University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value art education schools. Set in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,890. Typical student debt for art education graduates is $26,904. Early-career art education graduates make about $52,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carroll University admits about 67% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value art education schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the art education program here. Art Education graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,282 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Western Michigan University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value art education schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Art Education graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career art education graduates make about $48,382. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #25 position for value in art education this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art education program here. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $45,966. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Art Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in art education:
Narrow Art Education Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 63 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.
