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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for art studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Northern Virginia Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools in Virginia. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $14,413. Early-career art studies graduates make about $40,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Thomas Nelson Community College one of the best values for art studies. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,088, while out-of-state students pay about $11,526. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $14,402 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $36,758. That is a strong return on a $14,402 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Radford University earned it the #3 place for art studies. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $23,308. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #4 makes Old Dominion University one of the best values for art studies. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $31,000. Early-career art studies graduates make about $27,535. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at George Mason University, which ranked #5. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary came in at #6 for value in art studies this year. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $18,935. Early-career art studies graduates make about $29,752. Set against $18,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
Norfolk State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,180, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Norfolk State University generally make around $54,971. Norfolk State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #8 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $19,500. Early-career art studies graduates make about $23,372. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Lynchburg College landed the #9 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,750 in tuition and fees. Art Studies graduates of Lynchburg College earn a median of $107,159 early in their careers. Lynchburg College admits about 43% of applicants.
James Madison University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $23,001. Art Studies graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $33,501 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $26,323. Early-career art studies graduates make about $36,927. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.