2027 Best Value Art Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 27 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 The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Art Studies Schools
Fort Hays State University tops our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools in the The Plains States Region. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $22,937 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $31,909. That is a strong return on a $22,937 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Southern State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Students borrow a median of $22,241 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $29,309. That is a strong return on a $22,241 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Truman State University earned it the #3 place for art studies. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career art studies graduates make about $15,998. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in art studies will find it at Normandale Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,329. Students borrow a median of $20,162 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $53,871. Set against $20,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wichita State University earned it the #5 place for art studies. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $28,150 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $27,518. Set against $28,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney came in at #6 for value in art studies this year. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $16,101. Early-career art studies graduates make about $47,980. That is a strong return on a $16,101 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for art studies value this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $25,153. Art Studies graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $54,076 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $46,054 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $28,421. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #10 spot for art studies value this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $23,956 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $20,192. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Winona State University came in at #11 for value in art studies this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Students borrow a median of $24,551 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $53,109. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Anoka Ramsey Community College earned the #12 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,682 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $22,593. Art Studies graduates of Anoka Ramsey Community College earn a median of $44,293 early in their careers. Set against $22,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Emporia State University came in at #13 for value in art studies this year. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Students borrow a median of $25,129 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $19,276 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,129 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Black Hills State University came in at #14 for value in art studies this year. Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Spearfish. In-state tuition and fees average $8,916, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,820 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Black Hills State University generally make around $42,789. That is a strong return on a $26,820 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #15 among the best values for art studies. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $27,750. Art Studies graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $24,024 early in their careers. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #16 spot for art studies value this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $24,624 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $25,660. Set against $24,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #17 position for value in art studies this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career art studies graduates make about $38,717. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University came in at #18 for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $28,663. Early-career art studies graduates make about $48,197. That is a strong return on a $28,663 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #19 among the best values for art studies. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $23,034. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Iowa ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $29,887. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Culver Stockton College placed #21 among the best values for art studies. Set in the rural area of Canton, Culver Stockton College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,875. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $27,252. Art Studies graduates of Culver Stockton College earn a median of $38,725 early in their careers. Set against $27,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Culver Stockton College admits about 99% of applicants.
Gustavus Adolphus College earned the #22 position for value in art studies this year. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,076. Students borrow a median of $26,197 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of $44,396 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gustavus Adolphus College admits about 61% of applicants.
Columbia College Missouri placed #23 among the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,276. Students borrow a median of $29,213 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $47,962. Set against $29,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cornell College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,660 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Cornell College generally make around $35,545. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
St Olaf College earned the #25 position for value in art studies this year. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,760. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $26,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Art Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for art studies this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
