2027 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong fine & studio arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for fine & studio arts students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine & studio arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
For return on investment in fine & studio arts, no school beat Snow College this year. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $10,440. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brigham Young University Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $14,405 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $25,081. Set against $14,405 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Western Idaho earned it the #3 place for fine & studio arts. College Of Western Idaho is a very large public school located in the rural area of Nampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,446, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $12,497. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $40,963.
A rank of #4 makes Weber State University one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $53,920. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in fine & studio arts will find it at Southern Utah University, which ranked #5. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Colorado Denver ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Students borrow a median of $25,490 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $31,144 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Arapahoe Community College earned the #7 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Arapahoe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Littleton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,434, compared with $17,034 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,448 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Arapahoe Community College earn a median of $47,579 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wyoming placed #8 among the best values for fine & studio arts. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $15,880. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $27,156. That is a strong return on a $15,880 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Idaho State University placed #9 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $24,640 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $51,446 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah State University landed the #10 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $33,552 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Idaho placed #11 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $25,239. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $22,617. Set against $25,239 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Front Range Community College came in at #12 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,663 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Students borrow a median of $17,384 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Front Range Community College generally make around $40,414. That is a strong return on a $17,384 median debt.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #13 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Students borrow a median of $16,656 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $34,241 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Utah landed the #14 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $23,506. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $33,081 early in their careers. Set against $23,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #15 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $26,102. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Mesa State College placed #16 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Students borrow a median of $22,310 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $27,136 early in their careers. Set against $22,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
Dixie State College Of Utah ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $23,524. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.
Western State College Of Colorado placed #18 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318, compared with $24,434 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,455 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $36,712. That is a strong return on a $23,455 median debt. Western State College Of Colorado admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #19 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $25,000. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $40,026 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Fort Lewis College came in at #20 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,958, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $16,500. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Fort Lewis College earn a median of $22,754 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The University Of Montana landed the #21 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $26,187 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $22,149 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,187 median debt. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #22 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $21,500. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $30,143. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Montana State University placed #23 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $26,000. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $32,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #24 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $17,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado College placed #25 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,734. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Colorado College generally make around $37,342. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado College admits about 18% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for fine & studio arts this year:
Narrow Fine & Studio Arts Schools by State
More Fine & Studio Arts Rankings
View All Fine & Studio Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
