[Metal & Jewelry Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/metal-and-jewelry-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for metal & jewelry arts students.
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The right metal & jewelry arts school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Metal & Jewelry Arts Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Metal & Jewelry Arts Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the metal & jewelry arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Santa Ana College the best value for a degree in metal & jewelry arts in the United States. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for metal & jewelry arts graduates is $11,196. Metal & Jewelry Arts graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Pasadena City College one of the best values for metal & jewelry arts. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the metal & jewelry arts program here. Soon after graduation, metal & jewelry arts degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Palomar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in metal & jewelry arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
A rank of #4 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for metal & jewelry arts. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for metal & jewelry arts graduates is $16,500. Early-career metal & jewelry arts graduates make about $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Central New Mexico Community College one of the best values for metal & jewelry arts. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the metal & jewelry arts program here. Early-career metal & jewelry arts graduates make about $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Folsom Lake College earned the #6 position for value in metal & jewelry arts this year. Folsom Lake College is a large public school located in the city of Folsom. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
Rhode Island College landed the #7 spot for metal & jewelry arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Metal & Jewelry Arts graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Metal & Jewelry Arts graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $28,241 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #8 position for value in metal & jewelry arts this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for metal & jewelry arts graduates is $19,319. Soon after graduation, metal & jewelry arts degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Haywood Community College came in at #9 for value in metal & jewelry arts this year. Located in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,580, with out-of-state students paying around $8,724. Early-career metal & jewelry arts graduates make about $35,767.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #10 for value in metal & jewelry arts this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the metal & jewelry arts program here. Metal & Jewelry Arts graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $39,412 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #11 for value in metal & jewelry arts this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Metal & Jewelry Arts graduates carry a median of $13,667 in student loans. Early-career metal & jewelry arts graduates make about $65,681. Set against $13,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Fe Community College came in at #12 for value in metal & jewelry arts this year. Located in the rural area of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,851, with out-of-state students paying around $4,131. Metal & Jewelry Arts graduates carry a median of $15,267 in student loans. Early-career metal & jewelry arts graduates make about $51,935. That is a strong return on a $15,267 median debt.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value metal & jewelry arts schools. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Metal & Jewelry Arts graduates carry a median of $25,919 in student loans. Metal & Jewelry Arts graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $22,837 early in their careers. Set against $25,919 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Fashion Institute Of Technology landed the #14 spot for metal & jewelry arts value this year. Set in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,174, while out-of-state students pay about $22,696. Students borrow a median of $18,342 to complete the metal & jewelry arts program here. Early-career metal & jewelry arts graduates make about $23,428. That is a strong return on a $18,342 median debt. Fashion Institute Of Technology admits about 60% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #15 position for value in metal & jewelry arts this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Metal & Jewelry Arts graduates carry a median of $28,850 in student loans. Early-career metal & jewelry arts graduates make about $44,294. Set against $28,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value metal & jewelry arts schools. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Typical student debt for metal & jewelry arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career metal & jewelry arts graduates make about $54,669. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value metal & jewelry arts schools. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $15,400 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the metal & jewelry arts program here. Metal & Jewelry Arts graduates of Massachusetts College Of Art And Design earn a median of $38,090 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Gemological Institute Of America New York ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value metal & jewelry arts schools. Located in the city of New York, Gemological Institute Of America New York is a small private not-for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $8,233 to complete the metal & jewelry arts program here. Soon after graduation, metal & jewelry arts degree recipients from Gemological Institute Of America New York generally make around $36,639. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland Institute Of Art ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value metal & jewelry arts schools. Cleveland Institute Of Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,700. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the metal & jewelry arts program here. Metal & Jewelry Arts graduates of Cleveland Institute Of Art earn a median of $20,535 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cleveland Institute Of Art admits about 61% of applicants.
Arcadia University came in at #20 for value in metal & jewelry arts this year. Set in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,610. Students borrow a median of $26,975 to complete the metal & jewelry arts program here. Early-career metal & jewelry arts graduates make about $22,389. That is a strong return on a $26,975 median debt. Arcadia University admits about 80% of applicants.
Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #21 for value in metal & jewelry arts this year. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,210. Typical student debt for metal & jewelry arts graduates is $27,491. Early-career metal & jewelry arts graduates make about $63,515. That is a strong return on a $27,491 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Studio Jewelers ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value metal & jewelry arts schools. Located in the city of New York, Studio Jewelers is a small private for-profit university.
Gemological Institute Of America Carlsbad placed #23 among the best values for metal & jewelry arts. Located in the city of Carlsbad, Gemological Institute Of America Carlsbad is a small private not-for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $8,233 to complete the metal & jewelry arts program here. Early-career metal & jewelry arts graduates make about $36,639. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Maine College Of Art ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value metal & jewelry arts schools. Maine College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $42,942 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the metal & jewelry arts program here. Soon after graduation, metal & jewelry arts degree recipients from Maine College Of Art generally make around $27,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Syracuse University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value metal & jewelry arts schools. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Typical student debt for metal & jewelry arts graduates is $27,000. Metal & Jewelry Arts graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
