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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 159 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value art studies schools.
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.
Our analysis ranked San Diego Miramar College the best value for a degree in art studies in California. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $41,038. Set against $8,098 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. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Moorpark College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes San Diego Mesa College one of the best values for art studies. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oxnard College earned it the #5 place for art studies. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Cerritos College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. 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. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. 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.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. 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.
College Of The Canyons came in at #8 for value in art studies this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #9 among the best values for art studies. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,886 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Irvine Valley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $6,672. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College placed #11 among the best values for art studies. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College earned the #12 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Grossmont College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Mt San Antonio College placed #14 among the best values for art studies. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Moreno Valley College came in at #15 for value in art studies this year. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $45,515. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $21,500. Art Studies graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Saddleback College landed the #17 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reedley College placed #18 among the best values for art studies. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Ventura College placed #19 among the best values for art studies. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Imperial Valley College landed the #20 spot for art studies value this year. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Pasadena City College earned the #21 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #22 position for value in art studies this year. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Norco College came in at #24 for value in art studies this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $8,203. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
Gavilan College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Gilroy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,508, with out-of-state students paying around $12,249. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $28,496. Set against $5,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in art studies:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 159 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.