2027 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the Southeast Region

[Fine & Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong fine & studio arts education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 130 schools to find the best return on investment for fine & studio arts students.
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2027 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in fine & studio arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in fine & studio arts in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,863 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $28,710. That is a strong return on a $16,863 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $28,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Students looking for strong value in fine & studio arts will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,600 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $24,005. That is a strong return on a $14,600 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in fine & studio arts will find it at Northern Kentucky University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $25,724. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $31,448 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $22,036. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $23,324. That is a strong return on a $22,036 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #6 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $22,500. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $28,734 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University earned the #7 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $20,222. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $28,775 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Florida International University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $17,250 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $22,334. That is a strong return on a $17,250 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida came in at #9 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $23,843. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Itawamba Community College came in at #10 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,420 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Itawamba Community College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #11 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $40,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Georgia landed the #12 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $22,375. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $23,530. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
Marshall University landed the #13 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $25,293. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $24,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida landed the #14 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $31,770. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Holmes Community College landed the #15 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,710 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $13,191 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $32,145 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Murray State University came in at #16 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $21,715 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #17 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $18,745. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Haywood Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,580 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,724. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $35,767.
University Of Georgia ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $21,947 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $26,323 early in their careers. Set against $21,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Alabama earned the #20 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,291 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,357. Set against $24,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #21 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $22,980. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $22,967. Set against $22,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Shepherd University came in at #22 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Shepherd University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Shepherdstown. Students from in state pay about $9,056 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,082. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $33,059. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Shepherd University admits about 97% of applicants.
Northwest Mississippi Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,740. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $9,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Northwest Mississippi Community College generally make around $35,001. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #24 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $24,760 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $29,084 early in their careers. Set against $24,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville earned the #25 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,501, compared with $24,849 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,942 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $23,504 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,942 median debt. Roughly 92% 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:
Narrow Fine & Studio Arts Schools by State
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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 · 130 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 130 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.