[Arts & Media Management](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/arts-media-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for arts & media management students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the arts & media management degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in arts & media management, no school beat Austin Community College District this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in arts & media management, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,839 to complete the arts & media management program here. Soon after graduation, arts & media management degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value arts & media management schools. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Central Oklahoma one of the best values for arts & media management. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Arts & Media Management graduates carry a median of $23,321 in student loans. Early-career arts & media management graduates make about $44,085. Set against $23,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Grand Canyon University one of the best values for arts & media management. Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $18,508 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the arts & media management program here. Soon after graduation, arts & media management degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $34,904. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Dallas Baptist University landed the #6 spot for arts & media management value this year. Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $40,190 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for arts & media management graduates is $22,781. Arts & Media Management graduates of Dallas Baptist University earn a median of $34,291 early in their careers. Set against $22,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dallas Baptist University admits about 89% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value arts & media management schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Typical student debt for arts & media management graduates is $20,712. Arts & Media Management graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $70,632 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,712 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
