2027 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Master’s Degree Schools

[Fine & Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 93 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value fine & studio arts schools.
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2027 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fine & studio arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $33,582. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $16,863. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $33,627. Set against $16,863 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #3 place for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $15,000. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $25,359 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #4 place for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $14,750. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $28,726. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,222 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $30,765. That is a strong return on a $20,222 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #6 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $14,000. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $21,220. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $32,650. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach came in at #8 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $16,583. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $21,493. That is a strong return on a $16,583 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #9 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $26,000. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $21,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University earned the #10 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #11 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $13,254. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $20,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #12 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $55,569. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #13 for value in fine & studio arts this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,667 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $25,947 early in their careers. Set against $13,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of California Davis came in at #14 for value in fine & studio arts this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,061 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $42,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Georgia earned the #15 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $21,947 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $18,590. Set against $21,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #16 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $21,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Houston ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,845 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $26,482. That is a strong return on a $21,845 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $23,395 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $34,424. Set against $23,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine came in at #19 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $17,635 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $23,267. That is a strong return on a $17,635 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #20 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $19,500. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $37,186 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University earned the #21 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $26,097 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $35,846 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Utah earned the #22 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $23,506. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $33,081. That is a strong return on a $23,506 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Radford University placed #23 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $23,308. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $27,719 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $39,680 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,719 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney came in at #25 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $16,101 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $55,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for fine & studio arts this year:
Other Fine & Studio Arts Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Fine & Studio Arts rankings across degree levels:
View All Fine & Studio Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 93 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 93 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.