by our College Data Analytics Team
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value art studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Snow College, our #1 best value for art studies in the Rocky Mountains Region. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $14,405 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $25,081. That is a strong return on a $14,405 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Weber State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Utah University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $12,886. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Wyoming came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $15,880. Art Studies graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $27,156 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,880 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Idaho State University came in at #6 for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $24,640. Art Studies graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $51,446 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Idaho came in at #7 for value in art studies this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $25,239 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $22,617. That is a strong return on a $25,239 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Utah State University landed the #8 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $33,552. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Students borrow a median of $16,656 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $34,241. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Mesa State College came in at #10 for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Students borrow a median of $22,310 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $27,136. That is a strong return on a $22,310 median debt. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #11 for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,124 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $44,861. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Utah earned the #12 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,506 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $33,081. Set against $23,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Dixie State College Of Utah came in at #13 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $23,524 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.
The University Of Montana ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $26,187. Art Studies graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $22,149 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University placed #15 among the best values for art studies. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $32,265. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Denver ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $36,943 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,534 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.