2027 Best Value Drawing Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Drawing](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/drawing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value drawing schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Drawing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the drawing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Drawing Schools
For return on investment in drawing, no school beat Sinclair Community College this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the drawing program here. Soon after graduation, drawing degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Ferris State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in drawing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Drawing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, drawing degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $24,540. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value drawing schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Drawing graduates carry a median of $19,319 in student loans. Early-career drawing graduates make about $66,254. Set against $19,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Oakland University one of the best values for drawing. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the drawing program here. Drawing graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $22,840 early in their careers. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Bradley University one of the best values for drawing. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Drawing graduates carry a median of $26,380 in student loans. Drawing graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $54,513 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,380 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland Institute Of Art landed the #6 spot for drawing value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland Institute Of Art is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,700. Typical student debt for drawing graduates is $27,000. Early-career drawing graduates make about $18,839. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Narrow Drawing Schools by State
View All Drawing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.