2026 Best Value Art Studies Schools in Washington

[Art Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong art studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value art studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Art Studies Schools in Washington
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Art Studies Schools
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #1 spot for value among art studies schools in Washington. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $13,667 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $25,947 early in their careers. Set against $13,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Eastern Washington University one of the best values for art studies. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $19,060 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $47,144. That is a strong return on a $19,060 median debt. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at Central Washington University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,417, while out-of-state students pay about $27,526. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $25,000. Art Studies graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $26,123 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Western Washington University one of the best values for art studies. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Students borrow a median of $21,246 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $23,102 early in their careers. Set against $21,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Puget Sound came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,898. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $26,345. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Puget Sound generally make around $34,408. Set against $26,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.