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2027 Best Value Art Studies Schools in Illinois

11 Colleges in the United States
$25,146 Avg Student Debt
$58,209 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Art Studies Badge [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.

College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value art studies schools.

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2027 Best Value Art Studies Schools in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art studies, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Art Studies Schools

1

Saint Xavier University tops our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $25,735. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $51,753. That is a strong return on a $25,735 median debt. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.

2
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $24,990. Art Studies graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $51,711 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.

3

A rank of #3 makes Eastern Illinois University one of the best values for art studies. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $40,891 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

4

Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $25,781. Early-career art studies graduates make about $26,795. Set against $25,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

5

A rank of #5 makes Western Illinois University one of the best values for art studies. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $26,196. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

6

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $20,319. Art Studies graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $30,845 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,319 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.

7

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $27,280. Art Studies graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $25,259 early in their careers. Set against $27,280 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.

8

Illinois State University placed #8 among the best values for art studies. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $20,125. Art Studies graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $35,967 early in their careers. Set against $20,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.

9

Olivet Nazarene University placed #9 among the best values for art studies. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,900 in tuition and fees. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $16,290. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Olivet Nazarene University admits about 56% of applicants.

10

Bradley University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,160 in tuition and fees. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $26,380 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $54,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

11
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #11 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $26,999 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $27,291 early in their careers. Set against $26,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

View All Art Studies Rankings >

Notes and References

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 · 11 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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