[Arts & Media Management](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/arts-media-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 72 schools to find the best return on investment for arts & media management students.
Finding the Best Value Arts & Media Management School for You
Where you study arts & media management affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Arts & Media Management Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Arts & Media Management Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
For return on investment in arts & media management, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the arts & media management program here. Early-career arts & media management graduates make about $64,102. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for arts & media management. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,375 to complete the arts & media management program here. Arts & Media Management graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $22,265 early in their careers. Set against $14,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for arts & media management. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for arts & media management graduates is $22,569. Early-career arts & media management graduates make about $29,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in arts & media management will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Arts & Media Management graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Arts & Media Management graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in arts & media management, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for arts & media management graduates is $16,097. Early-career arts & media management graduates make about $63,833. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Ferris State University came in at #6 for value in arts & media management this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Students borrow a median of $26,040 to complete the arts & media management program here. Early-career arts & media management graduates make about $27,565. Set against $26,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
San Antonio College earned the #7 position for value in arts & media management this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for arts & media management graduates is $11,839. Arts & Media Management graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $37,855 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #8 position for value in arts & media management this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Arts & Media Management graduates carry a median of $22,976 in student loans. Early-career arts & media management graduates make about $28,990. Set against $22,976 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Southern Nevada ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value arts & media management schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the arts & media management program here. Soon after graduation, arts & media management degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. Set against $9,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Utah University came in at #10 for value in arts & media management this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the arts & media management program here. Soon after graduation, arts & media management degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Seattle Community College North Campus landed the #11 spot for arts & media management value this year. Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $5,238 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Arts & Media Management graduates carry a median of $16,643 in student loans. Early-career arts & media management graduates make about $48,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value arts & media management schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for arts & media management graduates is $23,741. Early-career arts & media management graduates make about $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Murray State University landed the #13 spot for arts & media management value this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for arts & media management graduates is $23,420. Soon after graduation, arts & media management degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $48,423. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia placed #14 among the best values for arts & media management. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for arts & media management graduates is $21,492. Arts & Media Management graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $33,927 early in their careers. Set against $21,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #15 spot for arts & media management value this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the arts & media management program here. Arts & Media Management graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $27,172 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of North Alabama came in at #16 for value in arts & media management this year. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for arts & media management graduates is $24,937. Arts & Media Management graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $25,805 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras landed the #17 spot for arts & media management value this year. Located in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,673 to complete the arts & media management program here. Arts & Media Management graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earn a median of $24,881 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras admits about 55% of applicants.
Suny College At Potsdam placed #18 among the best values for arts & media management. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,768, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the arts & media management program here. Soon after graduation, arts & media management degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $36,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #19 among the best values for arts & media management. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for arts & media management graduates is $21,908. Early-career arts & media management graduates make about $37,018. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #20 position for value in arts & media management 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. Arts & Media Management graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, arts & media management degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #21 spot for arts & media management value this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Arts & Media Management graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Soon after graduation, arts & media management degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $58,084. Set against $23,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #22 position for value in arts & media management this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the arts & media management program here. Arts & Media Management graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $59,622 early in their careers. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Delta State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value arts & media management schools. Set in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,605. Students borrow a median of $28,196 to complete the arts & media management program here. Soon after graduation, arts & media management degree recipients from Delta State University generally make around $25,415. Set against $28,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Delta State University admits about 100% of applicants.
Appalachian State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value arts & media management schools. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Arts & Media Management graduates carry a median of $24,412 in student loans. Arts & Media Management graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $28,357 early in their careers. Set against $24,412 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Suny At Fredonia ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value arts & media management schools. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, while out-of-state students pay about $19,771. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the arts & media management program here. Early-career arts & media management graduates make about $26,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Arts & Media Management Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in arts & media management:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 72 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 72 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).
[Arts & Media Management](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/arts-media-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
