2027 Best Value Art Studies Schools in Missouri

[Art Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong art studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for art studies students.
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2027 Best Value Art Studies Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Art Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Missouri Southern State University the best value for a degree in art studies in Missouri. Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $22,241. Early-career art studies graduates make about $29,309. Set against $22,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Truman State University earned it the #2 place for art studies. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $15,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Southeast Missouri State University one of the best values for art studies. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $28,421. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in art studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $27,750 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $24,024. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #5 makes Lindenwood University one of the best values for art studies. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. 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 ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $23,034 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Culver Stockton College came in at #7 for value in art studies this year. Located in the rural area of Canton, Culver Stockton College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,875 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $27,252. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Culver Stockton College generally make around $38,725. Set against $27,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Missouri placed #8 among the best values for art studies. Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. 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. That is a strong return on a $29,213 median debt.
Webster University earned the #9 position for value in art studies this year. Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,750. Students borrow a median of $25,939 to complete the art studies program here. Art Studies graduates of Webster University earn a median of $57,152 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.
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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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.