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2023 Best Value Colleges for Fine Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

47 Ranked Colleges
2,121 Degrees Awarded
$9,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Fine Arts is the 66th most popular major in the country with 11,922 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 2,121 fine arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 47 colleges that offered a degree in fine arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality fine arts programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the fine arts program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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The fine arts school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Fine Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

1

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #1 spot on the list. UIUC is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC also made our “Best Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $4,858 for Great Lakes Region Fine Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Fine Arts at UIUC

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. IU Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 40 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $5,752 for great lakes region fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Fine Arts Report

3
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Notre Dame landed the #3 spot on the list. Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 12 ’s fine arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Notre Dame did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Notre Dame is $9,872 for Great Lakes Region Fine Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full University of Notre Dame Fine Arts Report

4
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. West Lafayette, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s fine arts degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Purdue has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $5,995 for great lakes region fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Purdue.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Fine Arts at Purdue University - Main Campus

5
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Michigan State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Michigan State University is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Michigan State also took the #10 spot in our “Best Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State is $6,927 for Great Lakes Region Fine Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Fine Arts at Michigan State

6

With a ranking of #6, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. IUPUI is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 107 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

IUPUI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for IUPUI is $7,026 for Great Lakes Region Fine Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Fine Arts at IUPUI

7
Oberlin crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, Ohio

Oberlin College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Oberlin is located in Oberlin, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 ’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.

Oberlin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Oberlin is $8,756 for Great Lakes Region Fine Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Fine Arts at Oberlin College

8
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Ball State is a large public school situated in Muncie, Indiana. It awarded 4 ’s fine arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Ball State also took the #18 spot in our “Best Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,273 for great lakes region fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ball State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Fine Arts at Ball State University

9
Ferris crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, Michigan

Ferris State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ferris State University is located in Big Rapids, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 ’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Ferris is $6,577 for Great Lakes Region Fine Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Fine Arts at Ferris State University

10

Indiana University - South Bend did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. South Bend, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s fine arts degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - South Bend is $5,504 for great lakes region fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Indiana University - South Bend Fine Arts Report

11

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 20 diplomas to qualified ’s fine arts students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $8,047 for great lakes region fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Fine Arts Report

12

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 24 ’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,549 for great lakes region fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Illinois at Chicago.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Fine Arts at UIC

13

Illinois State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school awarded 18 diplomas to qualified ’s fine arts students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois State, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State is $13,783 for great lakes region fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Fine Arts at Illinois State

14
DePauw crest
DePauw University
Greencastle, Indiana

DePauw University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Greencastle, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified ’s fine arts students in 2020-2021.

DePauw also took the #7 spot in our “Best Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for DePauw University is $19,503 for Great Lakes Region Fine Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Fine Arts at DePauw University

15

Grand Valley State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. GVSU is a public institution located in Allendale, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 54 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

GVSU also took the #16 spot in our “Best Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Grand Valley State University is $10,259 for great lakes region fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Fine Arts at Grand Valley State University

16
PFW crest
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Purdue University Fort Wayne did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. PFW is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 30 ’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend PFW is $7,414 for great lakes region fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full PFW Fine Arts Report

17
Indiana State crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana

With a ranking of #17, Indiana State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Terre Haute, Indiana is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s fine arts degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Indiana State University is $10,104 for great lakes region fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Fine Arts at Indiana State

18

Youngstown State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Youngstown State University is located in Youngstown, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $9,175 for Great Lakes Region Fine Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Youngstown State University.

Read more about Fine Arts at Youngstown State University

18
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 23 degrees to qualified ’s fine arts students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Central Michigan, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Central Michigan University is $10,805 for great lakes region fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Fine Arts at Central Michigan University

20
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, Indiana

With a ranking of #20, Ivy Tech Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,213 for great lakes region fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ivy Tech Community College.

Full Ivy Tech Community College Fine Arts Report

21

With a ranking of #21, University of Wisconsin - Stout did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW - Stout is a medium-sized public school situated in Menomonie, Wisconsin. It awarded 18 ’s fine arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Stout is $10,074 for great lakes region fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Fine Arts at University of Wisconsin - Stout

22

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 66 ’s fine arts degrees in 2020-2021.

UC also took the #9 spot in our “Best Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $15,061 for great lakes region fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Fine Arts Report

23
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Western Michigan University is a public institution located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

WMU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western Michigan University is $13,112 for great lakes region fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Fine Arts at Western Michigan University

24

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is located in Bowling Green, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 47 ’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at BGSU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend BGSU is $14,079 for great lakes region fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Fine Arts Report

25

With a ranking of #25, Kent State University at Kent did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Kent State is a large school located in Kent, Ohio that handed out 68 ’s fine arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Kent State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Kent State University at Kent is $13,793 for great lakes region fine arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Fine Arts at Kent State University at Kent

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References

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