by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for art history students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the art history degrees they offer, see the list below.
Austin Community College District earned the #1 spot for value among art history schools in Texas. 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 $16,500 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $44,895. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art history, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. That is a strong return on a $17,687 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At El Paso earned it the #3 place for art history. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,778 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $19,506. That is a strong return on a $19,778 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art history, landing the #4 spot this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Blinn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art history, landing the #5 spot this year. Blinn College is a very large public school located in the town of Brenham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,890, compared with $11,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,465 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $43,408. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #6 position for value in art history this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $26,562 in student loans. Art History graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $25,156 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Houston placed #7 among the best values for art history. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $21,845. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $26,482. Set against $21,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $26,000. 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 North Texas landed the #9 spot for art history value this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the art history program here. 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.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #10 among the best values for art history. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $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 #11 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. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $27,846. Art History graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $34,428 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,846 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #12 for value in art history this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Art History graduates carry a median of $24,057 in student loans. Art History graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $25,927 early in their careers. Set against $24,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Houston Baptist University came in at #13 for value in art history this year. Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,430. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $25,601. Early-career art history graduates make about $57,088. Set against $25,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Southwestern University landed the #14 spot for art history value this year. Set in the city of Georgetown, Southwestern University is a small private not-for-profit institution. 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. Art History graduates of Southwestern University earn a median of $36,990 early in their careers. Set against $24,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Methodist University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $20,712. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $38,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University placed #16 among the best values for art history. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Art History graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Art History graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $49,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 51%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.