2027 Best Value Art Studies Schools in Pennsylvania
[Art Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value art studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Art Studies Schools in Pennsylvania
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the art studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Art Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Lehigh Carbon Community College the best value for a degree in art studies in Pennsylvania. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Montgomery County Community College one of the best values for art studies. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,690 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,250. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $13,641. Early-career art studies graduates make about $19,024. Set against $13,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Reading Area Community College earned it the #3 place for art studies. Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Reading. Students from in state pay about $6,480 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,510. 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.
Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $29,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $25,694 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Community College Of Allegheny County earned the #6 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Community College Of Philadelphia ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $13,926. Early-career art studies graduates make about $37,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pennsylvania Western University earned the #8 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $28,263 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Pennsylvania Western University earn a median of $37,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,263 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #9 for value in art studies this year. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $28,850. Early-career art studies graduates make about $44,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $27,000. Art Studies graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $24,990 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #11 among the best values for art studies. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #12 for value in art studies this year. Set in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,570, while out-of-state students pay about $15,824. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $25,269. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Saint Josephs University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,260 in tuition and fees. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $26,426 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Saint Josephs University earn a median of $65,421 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,426 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne landed the #14 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Langhorne, Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,659. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $28,212. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Philadelphia Biblical University Langhorne generally make around $40,120. Set against $28,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Arcadia University earned the #15 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,610 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $26,975. Early-career art studies graduates make about $22,389. That is a strong return on a $26,975 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary landed the #16 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,500. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary generally make around $26,472. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University placed #17 among the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $32,597. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $23,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Dickinson College came in at #19 for value in art studies this year. Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Carlisle. Students from in state pay about $65,650 in tuition and fees. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $19,014 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Dickinson College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,014 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
