2027 Best Value Fine Arts Associate’s Degree Schools
[Fine Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/fine-arts/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 44 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value fine arts schools.
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2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fine arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Fine Arts Schools
Cuny Laguardia Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools in the United States. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $14,920. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Mainland came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $10,928. Fine Arts graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Hudson County Community College one of the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,384, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Students borrow a median of $6,899 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Hudson County Community College generally make around $22,619. That is a strong return on a $6,899 median debt.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $9,668. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Bristol Community College one of the best values for fine arts. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $9,482 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $37,897 early in their careers. Set against $9,482 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College earned the #6 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Erie Community College came in at #7 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $37,069. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $35,562. That is a strong return on a $7,858 median debt.
Norco College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
Tulsa Community College earned the #10 position for value in fine arts this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $15,789 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moreno Valley College earned the #11 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truckee Meadows Community College landed the #12 spot for fine arts value this year. Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public school located in the city of Reno. Students from in state pay about $3,352 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,018 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $12,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Truckee Meadows Community College generally make around $52,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bucks County Community College placed #13 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,068 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $37,711 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sussex County Community College earned the #14 position for value in fine arts this year. Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,544, while out-of-state students pay about $9,024. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $10,750. Fine Arts graduates of Sussex County Community College earn a median of $27,179 early in their careers. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ferris State University placed #15 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $24,540 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Houston Community College placed #16 among the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $19,223. Fine Arts graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College landed the #17 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chabot College placed #18 among the best values for fine arts. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $14,122. Fine Arts graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #19 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lansing Community College earned the #20 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,700 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $46,103. Set against $16,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Parkland College landed the #21 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,284, with out-of-state students paying around $13,266. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $10,168. Fine Arts graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $40,409 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,168 median debt.
Grand Rapids Community College earned the #22 position for value in fine arts this year. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $4,179, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $11,780. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $41,689. Set against $11,780 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned the #23 position for value in fine arts this year. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $51,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson College landed the #24 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $13,664 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $47,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delta College landed the #25 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $14,075 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Delta College earn a median of $37,342 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Fine Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for fine arts this year:
Other Fine Arts Degree Levels
Explore the best-value fine arts schools at other degree levels:
View All Fine Arts Rankings >
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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
