2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Missouri
[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.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value fine arts schools.
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2027 Best Value Fine Arts Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fine Arts Schools
Our analysis ranked Missouri Southern State University the best value for a degree in fine arts in Missouri. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $22,241. Fine Arts graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $29,309 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Jefferson College earned it the #2 place for fine arts. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete the fine arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $47,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truman State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $15,998. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $25,500. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $25,476 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Central College earned it the #5 place for fine arts. East Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Union. Students from in state pay about $4,272 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,680. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $12,062. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $37,925. That is a strong return on a $12,062 median debt.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #6 spot for fine arts value this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $27,236. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value fine arts schools. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $28,837 in student loans. Early-career fine arts graduates make about $32,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #8 for value in fine arts this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $23,034. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Washington University In St Louis earned the #9 position for value in fine arts this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Typical student debt for fine arts graduates is $17,553. Fine Arts graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
