2027 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in Ohio
[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 22 schools to find the best return on investment for fine & studio arts students.
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2027 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine & studio arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
Sinclair Community College earned the #1 spot for value among fine & studio arts schools in Ohio. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Youngstown State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $31,000. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $29,203. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio State University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $26,849 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $29,186 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,849 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Akron Main Campus one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $25,919 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $22,837 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,919 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Cleveland State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,978 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $23,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Toledo ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $26,750. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $21,392. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $29,259 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $22,631. Set against $29,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Otterbein University came in at #8 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Westerville, Otterbein University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,548. Students borrow a median of $25,282 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $45,871. That is a strong return on a $25,282 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #9 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $28,501. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $19,138 early in their careers. Set against $28,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Ohio Wesleyan University placed #10 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the suburb of Delaware, Ohio Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $54,248 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,868 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Ohio Wesleyan University earn a median of $22,239 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,868 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $29,756. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Mount Union earned the #12 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. University Of Mount Union is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Alliance. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,600. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $26,988. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $52,058. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Wooster ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wooster. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,640. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $25,936 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from The College Of Wooster generally make around $32,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $31,128. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #15 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $28,943. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $29,431. Set against $28,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Oxford came in at #16 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $24,912. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland Institute Of Art came in at #17 for value in fine & studio arts this year. 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. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $18,839. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Columbus College Of Art And Design ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,825. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $25,751. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Xavier University came in at #19 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,425. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $26,614. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Xavier University generally make around $55,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Xavier University admits about 86% of applicants.
Kenyon College landed the #20 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Gambier. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,520. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Kenyon College generally make around $23,082. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Kenyon College admits about 31% of applicants.
Oberlin College landed the #21 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,366. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Oberlin College generally make around $25,146. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
Denison University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,000. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $25,360 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Denison University earn a median of $39,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Denison University admits about 17% of applicants.
More Fine & Studio Arts Rankings
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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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
