2027 Best Value Painting Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value painting schools.
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2027 Best Value Painting Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in painting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Painting Schools
Suny College At Buffalo tops our 2027 list of the best value painting schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Painting graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $24,041. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at State University Of New York At New Paltz earned it the #2 place for painting. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Students borrow a median of $23,562 to complete the painting program here. Painting graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $18,842 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Students looking for strong value in painting will find it at Suny At Purchase College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,016, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $23,850. Painting graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $14,984 early in their careers. Set against $23,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Students looking for strong value in painting will find it at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Painting graduates carry a median of $28,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $44,294. That is a strong return on a $28,850 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #5 makes Alfred University one of the best values for painting. Alfred University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Alfred. In-state tuition and fees average $38,138. Painting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Painting graduates of Alfred University earn a median of $22,178 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value painting schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Painting graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Painting graduates of Temple University earn a median of $24,558 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Arcadia University came in at #7 for value in painting this year. Set in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,610. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $26,975. Painting graduates of Arcadia University earn a median of $22,389 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Syracuse University landed the #8 spot for painting value this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts came in at #9 for value in painting this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for painting graduates is $26,750. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts generally make around $17,887. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt.
Maryland Institute College Of Art came in at #10 for value in painting this year. Maryland Institute College Of Art is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $56,800. Painting graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Painting graduates of Maryland Institute College Of Art earn a median of $25,693 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Pratt Institute Main landed the #11 spot for painting value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,845 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the painting program here. Painting graduates of Pratt Institute Main earn a median of $25,616 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
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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.
