by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fine & Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) 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 20 schools to find the best return on investment for fine & studio arts students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fine & studio arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Saint Xavier University, our #1 best value for fine & studio arts in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $25,735. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $51,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Parkland College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,284, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $10,168. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $40,409 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $21,954 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Eastern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $40,891 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Governors State University earned it the #5 place for fine & studio arts. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $51,711. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University came in at #7 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,781 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $26,795. That is a strong return on a $25,781 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #8 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,356 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $28,669 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,356 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Western Illinois University earned the #9 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $26,196. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #10 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $26,500. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $33,285 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #11 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $20,319 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $30,845. Set against $20,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #12 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Students borrow a median of $27,280 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $25,259. Set against $27,280 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Illinois State University came in at #13 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $20,125. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $35,967. That is a strong return on a $20,125 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Olivet Nazarene University landed the #14 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,900. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $16,290. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Olivet Nazarene University admits about 56% of applicants.
Bradley University came in at #15 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Students borrow a median of $26,380 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $54,513. Set against $26,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Knox College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the town of Galesburg, Knox College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,903. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $26,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Knox College generally make around $27,822. Set against $26,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Knox College admits about 71% of applicants.
Columbia College Chicago came in at #17 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,088. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $22,765 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
Depaul University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $26,999 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $27,291. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago placed #19 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $23,521. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,623. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $27,000. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago earn a median of $24,253 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago admits about 78% of applicants.
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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.