by our College Data Analytics Team
[Art Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 125 schools to find the best return on investment for art studies students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the art studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for art studies in the United States. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at Skyline College, which ranked #2. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Monica College earned it the #3 place for art studies. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
A rank of #4 makes Santiago Canyon College one of the best values for art studies. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $8,098. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Oxnard College earned the #6 position for value in art studies this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
College Of The Canyons placed #7 among the best values for art studies. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College placed #8 among the best values for art studies. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $6,672. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $14,308. Art Studies graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College landed the #10 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College placed #11 among the best values for art studies. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Oklahoma City Community College placed #12 among the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $13,919 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $39,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College came in at #13 for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $36,525. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Ventura College came in at #14 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College landed the #15 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias placed #16 among the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $10,288. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College landed the #17 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #18 among the best values for art studies. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $14,692. Art Studies graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Pasadena City College earned the #19 position for value in art studies this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
El Paso Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $9,347. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Delta College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,382 median debt.
Austin Community College District earned the #23 position for value in art studies this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $16,500. Early-career art studies graduates make about $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College came in at #24 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clovis Community College Fresno placed #25 among the best values for art studies. Located in the city of Fresno, Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in art studies:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Art Studies rankings across degree levels:
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 · 125 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 125 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.