2027 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the Southwest 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 70 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value fine & studio arts schools.
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2027 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fine & studio arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
Our analysis ranked College Of The Mainland the best value for a degree in fine & studio arts in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $10,928. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $40,788. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $6,868. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes El Paso Community College one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $9,347 early in their careers. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Oklahoma City Community College one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $13,919 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $39,848. Set against $13,919 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M International University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $14,672 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $19,300 early in their careers. Set against $14,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #6 among the best values for fine & studio arts. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $10,058. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $30,343. That is a strong return on a $10,058 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #7 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $17,687 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $21,891 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Del Mar College landed the #8 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $44,895. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $10,112. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Tulsa Community College placed #11 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $15,789. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. Set against $15,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College came in at #12 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $19,223. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mohave Community College landed the #13 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,208 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,968 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $14,766 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $54,785. That is a strong return on a $14,766 median debt.
Rio Salado College came in at #14 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Rio Salado College is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $13,679. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,679 median debt.
Cochise College landed the #15 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,280, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $12,013 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $40,712. Set against $12,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
East Central University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,032 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,842. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $21,840. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of East Central University earn a median of $42,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,840 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #18 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $19,778. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $19,506. Set against $19,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma placed #19 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the town of Chickasha, University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,000, compared with $20,190 for out-of-state students. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $14,912. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona Western College placed #20 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #21 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $26,000. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $23,551 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Tyler Junior College earned the #22 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blinn College placed #23 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Blinn College is a very large public school located in the town of Brenham. In-state tuition and fees average $4,890, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $16,465. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University earned the #25 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $26,019 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $35,115. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for fine & studio arts this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 70 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 70 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.