2026 Best Value Art Studies Schools in Alabama
[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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for art studies students.
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2026 Best Value Art Studies Schools in Alabama
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Art Studies Schools
University Of North Alabama earned the #1 spot for value among art studies schools in Alabama. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $24,291 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Auburn University At Montgomery came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. Students from in state pay about $9,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,668. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $30,000. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Auburn University At Montgomery generally make around $18,223. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at Jacksonville State University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,894, compared with $23,334 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $20,826. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of South Alabama one of the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,116, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $30,066 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $20,527. Set against $30,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at University Of Montevallo, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Montevallo, University Of Montevallo is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,948, compared with $26,968 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $25,150. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham landed the #6 spot for art studies value this year. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham generally make around $30,809. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville placed #7 among the best values for art studies. Located in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,132, while out-of-state students pay about $26,408. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $35,123. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Alabama At Huntsville admits about 69% of applicants.
More Art Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
