by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fine & Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value fine & studio arts schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine & studio arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in fine & studio arts, no school beat Keene State College this year. Located in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,784, with out-of-state students paying around $26,840. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $31,390. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Plymouth State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,626 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,566 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $30,491. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of New Hampshire Main Campus one of the best values for fine & studio arts. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $26,368 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $52,064 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,368 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Dartmouth College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $13,663. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $30,246. That is a strong return on a $13,663 median debt. Dartmouth College admits about 5% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern New Hampshire University earned it the #5 place for fine & studio arts. Set in the suburb of Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,200. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $29,103 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Southern New Hampshire University earn a median of $53,211 early in their careers. Set against $29,103 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.