2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Fine Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/fine-arts/) 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 72 schools to find the best return on investment for fine arts students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fine Arts Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for fine arts in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $28,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for fine arts. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $22,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny City College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $15,849 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $24,742. That is a strong return on a $15,849 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $9,630. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $27,582. Set against $9,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $12,818. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $24,910. That is a strong return on a $12,818 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #6 position for value in fine arts this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $14,688. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $51,911. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Raritan Valley Community College landed the #8 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $9,668 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
Hudson County Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,384, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $6,899 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $22,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #10 for value in fine arts this year. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $7,858. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $35,562. Set against $7,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Erie Community College landed the #11 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bucks County Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $13,068 in student loans. 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 placed #13 among the best values for fine arts. Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,544, compared with $9,024 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $27,179. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #14 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $20,000. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $32,031 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Ocean County College landed the #15 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,906, with out-of-state students paying around $6,970. Students borrow a median of $13,792 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Ocean County College earn a median of $41,306 early in their careers. Set against $13,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northampton County Area Community College came in at #16 for value in fine arts this year. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $18,900 in student loans. Fine Arts graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $35,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,900 median debt.
Brookdale Community College came in at #17 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,270 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $37,374. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cecil College came in at #18 for value in fine arts this year. Set in the rural area of North East, Cecil College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,640, while out-of-state students pay about $10,830. Median earnings reach $43,952 ten years out.
Kean University placed #19 among the best values for fine arts. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $28,750. Fine Arts graduates of Kean University earn a median of $25,928 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Atlantic Cape Community College earned the #20 position for value in fine arts this year. Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mays Landing. Students from in state pay about $5,594 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Students borrow a median of $12,002 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Atlantic Cape Community College generally make around $37,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Towson University earned the #21 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,978 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $29,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Jamestown Community College came in at #22 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,840. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $12,800 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $35,520. That is a strong return on a $12,800 median debt.
Suny College At Brockport came in at #23 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $26,855. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
New Jersey City University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $19,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #25 for value in fine arts this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $23,879. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Fine Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fine arts value ranking:
Narrow Fine Arts Schools by State
View All Fine Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 72 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 72 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.
