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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 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.
For return on investment in art history, no school beat Washburn University this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,175 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $50,955. Set against $21,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Wichita State University one of the best values for art history. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $28,150 to complete the art history program here. Early-career art history graduates make about $27,518. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Kansas came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value art history schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $22,361 to complete the art history program here. 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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.