2026 Best Value Art Studies Schools in Kansas
[Art Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
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 Kansas
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 Fort Hays State University, our #1 best value for art studies in Kansas. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Students borrow a median of $22,937 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $49,775 early in their careers. Set against $22,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Wichita State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $28,150. Early-career art studies graduates make about $27,518. Set against $28,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $22,669 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $50,003 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,669 median debt. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Emporia State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $25,129. Early-career art studies graduates make about $19,276. That is a strong return on a $25,129 median debt. Emporia State University admits about 98% 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 2 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.
