2027 Best Value Art Studies Schools in the Southeast 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 77 schools to find the best return on investment for art studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Art Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Art Studies Schools
For return on investment in art studies, no school beat Florida Atlantic University this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $14,750. Art Studies graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $28,726 early in their careers. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for art studies. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $22,036. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $23,324. Set against $22,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $28,734. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $17,250 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $22,334 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $23,843. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Itawamba Community College landed the #6 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $10,942. Art Studies graduates of Itawamba Community College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
Marshall University came in at #7 for value in art studies this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $25,293. Early-career art studies graduates make about $24,475. Set against $25,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #8 spot for art studies value this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Holmes Community College came in at #9 for value in art studies this year. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,710 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Students borrow a median of $13,191 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $32,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Florida came in at #10 for value in art studies this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $49,208. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $25,000. Art Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $18,745 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Thomas Nelson Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,088, while out-of-state students pay about $11,526. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $14,402 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Thomas Nelson Community College generally make around $36,758. That is a strong return on a $14,402 median debt.
Northwest Mississippi Community College landed the #13 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,740 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $9,990. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Northwest Mississippi Community College generally make around $35,001. Set against $9,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Alabama earned the #14 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $24,291. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,357. That is a strong return on a $24,291 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Shepherd University placed #15 among the best values for art studies. Located in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,056, compared with $19,082 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Shepherd University generally make around $33,059. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Shepherd University admits about 97% of applicants.
Austin Peay State University placed #16 among the best values for art studies. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $24,750. Art Studies graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $19,157 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville earned the #17 position for value in art studies this year. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,501, with out-of-state students paying around $24,849. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $23,942 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $23,504 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,942 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #18 among the best values for art studies. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,980 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $22,967 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,980 median debt. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Georgia earned the #19 position for value in art studies this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $21,947 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $26,323 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Fayetteville State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $27,497. Art Studies graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $16,454 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Students borrow a median of $24,760 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $29,084 early in their careers. Set against $24,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #22 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $48,847. That is a strong return on a $23,399 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #23 spot for art studies value this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $15,257. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Memphis earned the #24 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $28,850. Art Studies graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $26,451 early in their careers. Set against $28,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Valdosta State University earned the #25 position for value in art studies this year. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $27,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $21,255. Set against $27,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Art Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in art studies:
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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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 77 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.
