2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in New Jersey
[Fine Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/fine-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong fine arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fine arts students.
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2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fine Arts Schools
Raritan Valley Community College earned the #1 spot for value among fine arts schools in New Jersey. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $47,248. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hudson County Community College earned it the #2 place for fine arts. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. Students from in state pay about $5,384 in tuition and fees, 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.
Students looking for strong value in fine arts will find it at Sussex County Community College, which ranked #3. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,024. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $10,750. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $27,179. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
Atlantic Cape Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mays Landing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,594, compared with $8,350 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $12,002 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brookdale Community College earned it the #5 place for fine arts. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. Students from in state pay about $6,270 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $12,651. Fine Arts graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
Ocean County College landed the #6 spot for fine arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Toms River, Ocean County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $13,792 median debt.
Kean University earned the #7 position for value in fine arts this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the fine arts program here. Fine Arts graduates of Kean University earn a median of $25,928 early in their careers. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
New Jersey City University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $19,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned the #9 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,000. Fine Arts graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $46,981 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey landed the #10 spot for fine arts value this year. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the rural area of Galloway. Students from in state pay about $16,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $25,099. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Drew University earned the #11 position for value in fine arts this year. Set in the suburb of Madison, Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $47,100. Students borrow a median of $26,449 to complete the fine arts program here. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $34,305. Set against $26,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drew University admits about 68% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
