2027 Best Value Art Studies Schools in New York

[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 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for art studies students.
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2027 Best Value Art Studies Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Art Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Lehman College the best value for a degree in art studies in New York. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,630 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $27,582. That is a strong return on a $9,630 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Nassau Community College one of the best values 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, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $38,734 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,481 median debt.
Hudson Valley Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Students borrow a median of $12,868 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $43,989 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,868 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at Onondaga Community College, which ranked #5. Onondaga Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Syracuse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $12,623 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $35,781. That is a strong return on a $12,623 median debt.
Dutchess Community College earned the #6 position for value in art studies this year. Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,670, with out-of-state students paying around $10,670. Students borrow a median of $11,836 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Dutchess Community College earn a median of $32,978 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,836 median debt.
Suny College At Buffalo earned the #7 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $24,041 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Empire State College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $15,125. Early-career art studies graduates make about $39,946. That is a strong return on a $15,125 median debt.
Suny College At Brockport earned the #9 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $39,724 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
Suny College At Oswego ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Students borrow a median of $28,759 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $41,899 early in their careers. Set against $28,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany placed #11 among the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $22,625. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $27,610. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Plattsburgh came in at #12 for value in art studies this year. Located in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,035, while out-of-state students pay about $18,945. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $25,072. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Suny College At Plattsburgh generally make around $25,762. That is a strong return on a $25,072 median debt. Suny College At Plattsburgh admits about 78% of applicants.
Stony Brook University came in at #13 for value in art studies this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $60,047. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oneonta placed #14 among the best values for art studies. Located in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,831, compared with $19,781 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $22,046 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $36,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University At Buffalo landed the #15 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Suny At Binghamton earned the #16 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $22,286. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $25,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
St Lawrence University landed the #17 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the town of Canton, St Lawrence University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,900 in tuition and fees. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $26,192 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of St Lawrence University earn a median of $39,993 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,192 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Pace University New York landed the #18 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,510 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,656 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $22,789. That is a strong return on a $25,656 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Hartwick College landed the #19 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the town of Oneonta, Hartwick College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $54,962. Students borrow a median of $25,740 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Hartwick College generally make around $41,061. Set against $25,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Vassar College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,030. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $18,985. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Vassar College generally make around $19,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.