2027 Best Value Art History Schools in the New England Region

[Art History](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-history/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong art history education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for art history students.
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2027 Best Value Art History Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art history, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Art History Schools
Leading the list is Colby College, our #1 best value for art history in the New England Region. Located in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $22,016. Art History graduates of Colby College earn a median of $46,772 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 7%.
Rhode Island College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Art History graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $28,241 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Williams College earned it the #3 place for art history. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,560. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $11,850. Early-career art history graduates make about $34,560. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Harvard University one of the best values for art history. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Bridgewater State University one of the best values for art history. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $27,000. Art History graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $29,595 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Vermont ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $45,502. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $24,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Maine earned the #7 position for value in art history this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Art History graduates carry a median of $27,050 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $47,975. Set against $27,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Rhode Island landed the #8 spot for art history value this year. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $16,625 in student loans. Art History graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $21,167 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,625 median debt. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
Southern Connecticut State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. Students from in state pay about $13,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Art History graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $26,549. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Plymouth State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,626, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $27,000. Art History graduates of Plymouth State University earn a median of $44,487 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #11 among the best values for art history. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $23,214. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.
Yale University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Art History graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $24,521. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #13 spot for art history value this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $18,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Connecticut came in at #14 for value in art history this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Art History graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $24,419 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Brown University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Art History graduates carry a median of $17,300 in student loans. Art History graduates of Brown University earn a median of $23,180 early in their careers. Set against $17,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,400, while out-of-state students pay about $43,400. Art History graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $38,090. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Boston University earned the #17 position for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $27,000. Art History graduates of Boston University earn a median of $27,226 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Wellesley College earned the #18 position for value in art history this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,176 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $11,075. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $48,902. That is a strong return on a $11,075 median debt. Wellesley College admits about 14% of applicants.
Hampshire College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the rural area of Amherst, Hampshire College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,896. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $26,500. Art History graduates of Hampshire College earn a median of $21,113 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Dartmouth College came in at #20 for value in art history this year. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. Students from in state pay about $68,019 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $13,663. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $30,246. Set against $13,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dartmouth College admits about 5% of applicants.
Mount Holyoke College landed the #21 spot for art history value this year. Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Hadley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,018. Students borrow a median of $23,447 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $18,420. Set against $23,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mount Holyoke College admits about 36% of applicants.
Smith College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $19,000. Early-career art history graduates make about $20,171. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Clark University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,467 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $26,870. Art History graduates of Clark University earn a median of $43,257 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,870 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Wesleyan University placed #24 among the best values for art history. Set in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,042 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Wesleyan University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Set against $16,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wesleyan University admits about 16% of applicants.
Suffolk University placed #25 among the best values for art history. Set in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $47,550 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,670 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Suffolk University earn a median of $57,261 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,670 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Art History Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for art history this year:
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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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.