by our College Data Analytics Team
[Printmaking](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/printmaking/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong printmaking education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for printmaking students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the printmaking degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in printmaking, no school beat Suny College At Buffalo this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Printmaking graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career printmaking graduates make about $39,412. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz is a great value for students pursuing a degree in printmaking, landing the #2 spot this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Printmaking graduates carry a median of $23,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, printmaking degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $18,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in printmaking will find it at Suny At Purchase College, which ranked #3. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,016, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Students borrow a median of $23,850 to complete the printmaking program here. Early-career printmaking graduates make about $14,984. Set against $23,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Purchase College admits about 74% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in printmaking, landing the #4 spot this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Students borrow a median of $28,850 to complete the printmaking program here. Printmaking graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $44,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,850 median debt. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Temple University earned it the #5 place for printmaking. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Printmaking graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, printmaking degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $24,558. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Arcadia University placed #6 among the best values for printmaking. Located in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,610 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,975 to complete the printmaking program here. Early-career printmaking graduates make about $22,389. That is a strong return on a $26,975 median debt. Arcadia University admits about 80% of applicants.
Syracuse University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value printmaking schools. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for printmaking graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, printmaking degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $54,785. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value printmaking schools. Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,600. Printmaking graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Printmaking graduates of Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts earn a median of $17,887 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt.
Maryland Institute College Of Art earned the #9 position for value in printmaking this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Maryland Institute College Of Art is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,800 in tuition and fees. Printmaking graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Printmaking graduates of Maryland Institute College Of Art earn a median of $25,693 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Maryland Institute College Of Art admits about 77% of applicants.
Pratt Institute Main ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value printmaking schools. Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $61,845. Printmaking graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Printmaking 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.
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.