2026 Best Value Art History Schools in Virginia
[Art History](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-history/) 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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for art history students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Art History Schools in Virginia
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the art history degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Art History Schools
George Mason University earned the #1 spot for value among art history schools in Virginia. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Old Dominion University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art history, landing the #2 spot this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $31,000. Early-career art history graduates make about $27,535. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $23,374. Early-career art history graduates make about $20,934. Set against $23,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Mary Washington came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. In-state tuition and fees average $14,905, with out-of-state students paying around $28,083. Art History graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $24,013. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
A rank of #5 makes James Madison University one of the best values for art history. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $23,001. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $33,501. That is a strong return on a $23,001 median debt. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #6 spot for art history value this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $23,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Hollins University earned the #7 position for value in art history this year. Located in the suburb of Roanoke, Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $43,560. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Hollins University generally make around $26,798. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Richmond came in at #8 for value in art history this year. Set in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,230. Art History graduates carry a median of $21,634 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Richmond generally make around $53,815. That is a strong return on a $21,634 median debt. The acceptance rate is 22%.
More Art History Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
