2027 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Fine & Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 127 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 Middle Atlantic Region
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
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among fine & studio arts schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #2 place for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $28,185. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in fine & studio arts will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $22,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $15,849. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $24,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $9,630. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $27,582. That is a strong return on a $9,630 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College came in at #6 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $12,818. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $24,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #7 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $16,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #8 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $13,559. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #9 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $14,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
County College Of Morris earned the #10 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,250 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $33,881 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #11 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Nassau Community College landed the #12 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $38,734. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Raritan Valley Community College landed the #13 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $9,668 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
Hudson County Community College earned the #14 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,384, while out-of-state students pay about $9,248. Students borrow a median of $6,899 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Hudson County Community College earn a median of $22,619 early in their careers. Set against $6,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College placed #15 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $7,858. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $35,562. That is a strong return on a $7,858 median debt.
Erie Community College earned the #16 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $12,580. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $37,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Essex County College earned the #17 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,472 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $37,915. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
Bucks County Community College earned the #18 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,068 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $37,711. Set against $13,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sussex County Community College landed the #19 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newton. Students from in state pay about $5,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,024. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Sussex County Community College earn a median of $27,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
Monroe Community College landed the #20 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $9,481 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $38,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson Valley Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,868 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $43,989. That is a strong return on a $12,868 median debt.
Suny Empire State College landed the #22 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $15,125. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $39,946 early in their careers. Set against $15,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #23 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $32,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Montgomery College came in at #24 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $24,833. Set against $11,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lehigh Carbon Community College landed the #25 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $14,450 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $39,957. Set against $14,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in fine & studio arts:
Narrow Fine & Studio Arts Schools by State
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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 · 127 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 127 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.
