by our College Data Analytics Team
[Painting](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/painting/) 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 6 schools to find the best return on investment for painting students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the painting degrees they offer, see the list below.
Ferris State University earned the #1 spot for value among painting schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the painting program here. Early-career painting graduates make about $24,540. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in painting will find it at Oakland University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $25,972. Early-career painting graduates make about $54,785. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent is a great value for students pursuing a degree in painting, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,501 to complete the painting program here. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $44,776. Set against $28,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for painting. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Painting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Painting graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $29,756 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Students looking for strong value in painting will find it at Bradley University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,160 in tuition and fees. Painting graduates carry a median of $26,380 in student loans. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $54,513. Set against $26,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.
Cleveland Institute Of Art landed the #6 spot for painting value this year. Cleveland Institute Of Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $48,700. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the painting program here. Early-career painting graduates make about $18,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.