by our College Data Analytics Team
[Art History](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-history/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for art history students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the art history degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in art history, no school beat Austin Community College District this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $16,500. Early-career art history graduates make about $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #2 place for art history. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $17,687 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $46,404. Set against $17,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas At El Paso one of the best values for art history. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,778 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $19,506. That is a strong return on a $19,778 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Students looking for strong value in art history will find it at The University Of Texas At San Antonio, which ranked #4. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $26,000. Early-career art history graduates make about $23,551. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in art history will find it at Blinn College, which ranked #5. Blinn College is a very large public school located in the town of Brenham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,890, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Students borrow a median of $16,465 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #6 for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $26,562. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $25,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the rural area of Santa Fe, Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,920. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture generally make around $29,835. Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture admits about 98% of applicants.
Santa Fe Community College earned the #8 position for value in art history this year. Located in the rural area of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,851 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,131. Art History graduates carry a median of $15,267 in student loans. Art History graduates of Santa Fe Community College earn a median of $51,935 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $21,845. Early-career art history graduates make about $26,482. That is a strong return on a $21,845 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Stephen F Austin State University placed #10 among the best values for art history. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Art History graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $42,197. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $23,250. Art History graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $27,218 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of North Texas earned the #12 position for value in art history this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $25,211. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $19,290. Art History graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $29,893 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in art history this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Art History graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $21,994. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for art history. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Art History graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. Art History graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $36,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,111 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #16 spot for art history value this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,928 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $28,445. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas Tech University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,846 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $34,428. Set against $27,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #18 spot for art history value this year. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $23,321. Art History graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $44,085 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,321 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #19 spot for art history value this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $24,057 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $25,927. Set against $24,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Houston Baptist University placed #20 among the best values for art history. Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,430. Students borrow a median of $25,601 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Houston Baptist University generally make around $57,088. Set against $25,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Houston Baptist University admits about 84% of applicants.
Southwestern University placed #21 among the best values for art history. Southwestern University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Georgetown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,613. Students borrow a median of $24,975 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $36,990. That is a strong return on a $24,975 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Methodist University landed the #22 spot for art history value this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $38,154. Set against $20,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University landed the #23 spot for art history value this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $49,888. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
