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.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value fine & studio arts schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fine & studio arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among fine & studio arts schools in New Jersey. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $10,888. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $67,532. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $9,668. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $47,248. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
Essex County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #3 spot 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $37,915 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hudson County Community College earned it the #4 place for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,384, while out-of-state students pay about $9,248. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $6,899 in student loans. 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.
County College Of Morris is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $9,250. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $33,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,250 median debt.
Sussex County Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Atlantic Cape Community College landed the #7 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mays Landing. In-state tuition and fees average $5,594, while out-of-state students pay about $8,350. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $12,002. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $37,141. Set against $12,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brookdale Community College earned the #8 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ocean County College earned the #9 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Ocean County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Toms River. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,906, compared with $6,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $13,792. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Ocean County College generally make around $41,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus placed #10 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $24,770. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $54,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Kean University came in at #11 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $25,928. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Montclair State University placed #12 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $21,934. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
New Jersey City University came in at #13 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $19,000. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $19,326 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Rutgers University Camden came in at #14 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,764, with out-of-state students paying around $37,276. Students borrow a median of $25,975 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $21,908 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #15 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $23,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Newark ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Rutgers University Newark is a large public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,250, compared with $36,762 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,975 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $21,908. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University earned the #17 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $21,708. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $26,119. That is a strong return on a $21,708 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earned the #18 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,266, compared with $24,524 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 The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $25,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Drew University landed the #19 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,100. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $26,449. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Drew University generally make around $34,305. Set against $26,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drew University admits about 68% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #20 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $25,975. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $20,561. Set against $25,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of New Jersey came in at #21 for value in fine & studio arts this year. The College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Ewing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $25,000. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $33,214 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Stevens Institute Of Technology placed #22 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the suburb of Hoboken, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $63,462 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $26,767. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Stevens Institute Of Technology generally make around $87,055. Set against $26,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
