2026 Best Value Art Studies Schools in Massachusetts

[Art Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong art studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 20 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value art studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Art Studies Schools in Massachusetts
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
Williams College tops our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools in Massachusetts. Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,560. Students borrow a median of $11,850 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $34,560. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Holyoke Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,988, compared with $10,932 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $9,763 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $43,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amherst College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,480. Students borrow a median of $15,398 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Amherst College earn a median of $59,271 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at Framingham State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $27,000. Art Studies graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $28,843 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $36,980. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Westfield State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career art studies graduates make about $33,440. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Hampshire College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the rural area of Amherst, Hampshire College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,896. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Hampshire College earn a median of $21,113 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Boston University earned the #8 position for value in art studies this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $27,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Lesley University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,256. Students borrow a median of $24,833 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $47,058. Set against $24,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University earned the #10 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $25,250. Art Studies graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $25,601 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 6 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.