2027 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the New England 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 54 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fine & studio arts students.
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2027 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine & studio arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
Leading the list is Bristol Community College, our #1 best value for fine & studio arts in the New England Region. Bristol Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fall River. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $9,482. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $37,897 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in fine & studio arts will find it at Rhode Island College, which ranked #2. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $28,241 early in their careers. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Rhode Island earned it the #3 place for fine & studio arts. Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public school located in the city of Warwick. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $10,250. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $18,544. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Bunker Hill Community College one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $11,893 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $51,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Southern Maine came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Students borrow a median of $18,703 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $21,058. Set against $18,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Mount Wachusett Community College earned the #6 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,160 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,080. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $11,497 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Mount Wachusett Community College generally make around $43,883. Set against $11,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Capital Community College placed #7 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $22,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bridgewater State University placed #8 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $29,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Colby College came in at #9 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,600. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $22,016. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $46,772. That is a strong return on a $22,016 median debt. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $27,000. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $36,236 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Williams College placed #11 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Williams College earn a median of $34,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Harvard University landed the #12 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Westfield State University earned the #13 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,259 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $33,440. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Framingham State University came in at #14 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,920, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $28,843. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Keene State College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,784, while out-of-state students pay about $26,840. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Keene State College generally make around $31,390. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #16 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $36,980 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine landed the #17 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $27,050. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $47,975. Set against $27,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Vermont earned the #18 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. Students from in state pay about $19,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $45,502. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $24,497. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.
Western Connecticut State University landed the #19 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Western Connecticut State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Danbury. Students from in state pay about $13,401 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,901 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $25,332. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $47,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Vermont Technical College landed the #20 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,952, compared with $22,296 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $24,208 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Vermont Technical College generally make around $30,233. Set against $24,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Amherst College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,480. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $15,398 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $59,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island earned the #22 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $16,625. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $21,167 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,625 median debt. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
Southern Connecticut State University placed #23 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,442, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $26,549. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Southern Connecticut State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Eastern Connecticut State University landed the #24 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willimantic. In-state tuition and fees average $13,928, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Eastern Connecticut State University generally make around $23,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Connecticut State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Plymouth State University came in at #25 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. In-state tuition and fees average $14,626, while out-of-state students pay about $25,566. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Plymouth State University generally make around $30,491. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in fine & studio arts:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 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.
