2027 Best Value Art Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 62 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for art studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Art Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Art Studies Schools
Cuny Lehman College tops our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $9,630 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $27,582. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nassau Community College earned it the #2 place for art studies. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $11,850. Early-career art studies graduates make about $38,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Monroe Community College one of the best values for art studies. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Students borrow a median of $9,481 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $38,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Essex County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $37,915. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
Hudson Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $12,868. Early-career art studies graduates make about $43,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montgomery College placed #6 among the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $11,230. Early-career art studies graduates make about $24,833. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.
Suny Empire State College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Students borrow a median of $15,125 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $39,946 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Onondaga Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,392. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $12,623 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $35,781. Set against $12,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lehigh Carbon Community College came in at #9 for value in art studies this year. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $14,450. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $39,957. That is a strong return on a $14,450 median debt.
Dutchess Community College placed #10 among the best values for art studies. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,670, with out-of-state students paying around $10,670. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $11,836. Art Studies graduates of Dutchess Community College earn a median of $32,978 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #11 for value in art studies this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $24,041. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Montgomery County Community College landed the #12 spot for art studies value this year. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. Students from in state pay about $6,690 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,641 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $19,024. That is a strong return on a $13,641 median debt.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus came in at #13 for value in art studies this year. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Students borrow a median of $24,770 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $54,505. That is a strong return on a $24,770 median debt. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Montclair State University came in at #14 for value in art studies this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $21,934 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Kean University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $28,750. Early-career art studies graduates make about $25,928. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of The District Of Columbia ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $5,662 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,514. Students borrow a median of $32,304 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of The District Of Columbia generally make around $57,060. Set against $32,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reading Area Community College landed the #17 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,480 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,510 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $13,979 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Reading Area Community College earn a median of $49,248 early in their careers. Set against $13,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Towson University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $17,978 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $29,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
New Jersey City University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $19,326. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Suny College At Brockport landed the #20 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $39,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County earned the #21 position for value in art studies this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $24,625. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $23,879. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $29,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
Suny At Albany earned the #23 position for value in art studies this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $27,610. Set against $22,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Community College Of Allegheny County earned the #24 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $15,263 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Delaware earned the #25 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Students borrow a median of $25,908 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $21,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Art Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for art studies this year:
Narrow Art Studies Schools by State
More Art Studies Rankings
View All Art Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 62 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 62 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.
