2026 Best Value Art Studies Schools in Iowa
[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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for art studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Art Studies Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Art Studies Schools
Leading the list is University Of Northern Iowa, our #1 best value for art studies in Iowa. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $29,887 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
More Art Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
