2027 Best Value Art Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
[Art Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 44 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 Southwest 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 El Paso Community College this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $8,542. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $9,347. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma City Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $13,919 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $39,848 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,919 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at The University Of Texas At Brownsville, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Students borrow a median of $10,058 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. Set against $10,058 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $17,687 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $21,891 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Del Mar College earned it the #5 place for art studies. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $7,476. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District placed #6 among the best values for art studies. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $16,500. Early-career art studies graduates make about $44,895. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #7 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College placed #8 among the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $19,223. Early-career art studies graduates make about $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mohave Community College landed the #9 spot for art studies value this year. Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Kingman. Students from in state pay about $2,208 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,968. Students borrow a median of $14,766 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Mohave Community College earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Set against $14,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rio Salado College placed #10 among the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $48,564. Set against $13,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cochise College came in at #11 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,280, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $12,013. Early-career art studies graduates make about $40,712. That is a strong return on a $12,013 median debt.
University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma came in at #12 for value in art studies this year. University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma is a small public school located in the town of Chickasha. In-state tuition and fees average $9,000, with out-of-state students paying around $20,190. Art Studies graduates of University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma earn a median of $14,912 early in their careers. University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma admits about 66% of applicants.
East Central University landed the #13 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,032 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,842. Students borrow a median of $21,840 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of East Central University earn a median of $42,103 early in their careers. Set against $21,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #14 among the best values for art studies. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $19,778. Early-career art studies graduates make about $19,506. Set against $19,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $23,551. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Tyler Junior College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blinn College earned the #17 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,890, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. Set against $16,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University landed the #18 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,019 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $35,115. That is a strong return on a $26,019 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College earned the #20 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $13,750. Art Studies graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Phoenix College landed the #21 spot for art studies value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $15,204. Early-career art studies graduates make about $51,053. Set against $15,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Fe Community College landed the #22 spot for art studies value this year. Santa Fe Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Santa Fe. In-state tuition and fees average $1,851, with out-of-state students paying around $4,131. Students borrow a median of $15,267 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $51,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Estrella Mountain Community College placed #23 among the best values for art studies. Set in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $21,752. Early-career art studies graduates make about $78,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Paradise Valley Community College came in at #25 for value in art studies this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $14,204. Art Studies graduates of Paradise Valley Community College earn a median of $71,136 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Art Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s art studies value ranking:
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Notes and References
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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
