2027 Best Value Art Studies Master’s Degree Schools
[Art Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 45 schools to find the best return on investment for art studies students.
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2027 Best Value Art Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Art Studies Schools
California State University Northridge tops our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools in the United States. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $25,359. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $28,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $32,650 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $16,583 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $21,493 early in their careers. Set against $16,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $14,000. Art Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $21,220 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Eastern Illinois University placed #6 among the best values for art studies. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $25,000. Art Studies graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $55,569 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
San Jose State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $13,667. Art Studies graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $25,947 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia placed #9 among the best values for art studies. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,947 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $18,590. Set against $21,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of California Davis placed #10 among the best values for art studies. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $15,061 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $42,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Houston came in at #11 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $21,845 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $26,482. Set against $21,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of California Irvine earned the #12 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $17,635. Art Studies graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $23,267 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,635 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Arizona State University placed #13 among the best values for art studies. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $23,395. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $34,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University earned the #14 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,097 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $35,846. That is a strong return on a $26,097 median debt. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Radford University landed the #15 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $26,000. Art Studies graduates of Radford University earn a median of $23,308 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #16 among the best values for art studies. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $27,719 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $39,680 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $37,186. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Utah earned the #18 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $23,506 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $33,081. That is a strong return on a $23,506 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas placed #19 among the best values for art studies. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $23,354. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney landed the #20 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $16,101. Early-career art studies graduates make about $55,459. That is a strong return on a $16,101 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #21 position for value in art studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $19,316 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $30,934. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $24,761. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Williams College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,560. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $11,850. Art Studies graduates of Williams College earn a median of $34,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,850 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware landed the #24 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,908 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $21,935 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Suny At Albany earned the #25 position for value in art studies this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $22,625. Art Studies graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. Set against $22,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Art Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s art studies value ranking:
Other Art Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best-value art studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Art Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
