2027 Best Value Art History Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value art history schools.
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2027 Best Value Art History Schools in the The Plains States 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 University Of Missouri Kansas City, our #1 best value for art history in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Art History graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $25,476. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $26,202 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $28,942. That is a strong return on a $26,202 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $23,956 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $20,192. That is a strong return on a $23,956 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in art history will find it at Wichita State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $28,150 to complete the art history program here. Art History graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $27,518 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,150 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the best values for art history. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $26,500. Early-career art history graduates make about $24,095. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Washburn University earned the #6 position for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Art History graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #7 spot for art history value this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $21,500. Art History graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $28,783 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $27,750. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $46,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Kansas landed the #9 spot for art history value this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $22,361. Art History graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $22,868 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #10 position for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $24,624. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $25,660. Set against $24,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #11 spot for art history value this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Art History graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career art history graduates make about $38,717. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Lindenwood University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $28,663. Art History graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,197 early in their careers. Set against $28,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
South Dakota State University came in at #13 for value in art history this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Art History graduates carry a median of $24,989 in student loans. Art History graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #14 for value in art history this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $22,000. Early-career art history graduates make about $23,034. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis placed #15 among the best values for art history. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $17,553. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $29,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $56,076. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $26,197. Early-career art history graduates make about $44,396. Set against $26,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell College came in at #18 for value in art history this year. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,660 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art history program here. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Cornell College generally make around $35,545. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
St Olaf College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $59,760. Art History graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Art History graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $26,870 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Olaf College admits about 48% of applicants.
Carleton College landed the #20 spot for art history value this year. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,892. Students borrow a median of $17,566 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $45,096. That is a strong return on a $17,566 median debt. The acceptance rate is 20%.
Webster University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $31,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $25,939. Early-career art history graduates make about $57,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Kansas City Art Institute earned the #22 position for value in art history this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Art Institute is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,550. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, art history degree recipients from Kansas City Art Institute generally make around $23,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Macalester College landed the #23 spot for art history value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,104. Typical student debt for art history graduates is $22,147. Art History graduates of Macalester College earn a median of $42,517 early in their careers. Set against $22,147 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 28%.
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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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
