2027 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Fine & Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 44 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value fine & studio arts schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the The Plains States 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
Leading the list is Fort Hays State University, our #1 best value for fine & studio arts in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Students borrow a median of $22,937 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $31,909 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Jefferson College one of the best values for fine & studio arts. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. Students from in state pay about $5,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $13,664. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $47,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,664 median debt.
Missouri Southern State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $22,241. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $29,309. That is a strong return on a $22,241 median debt. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in fine & studio arts will find it at Truman State University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $27,000. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $15,998 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $26,202. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $28,942. That is a strong return on a $26,202 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $25,500. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $25,476 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Normandale Community College came in at #7 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $20,162. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Normandale Community College earn a median of $53,871 early in their careers. Set against $20,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $28,837. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $32,224. Set against $28,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Wichita State University placed #9 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $28,150 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $27,518 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri placed #10 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $27,236. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney earned the #11 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Students borrow a median of $16,101 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $47,980. Set against $16,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
East Central College earned the #12 position for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the town of Union, East Central College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,272 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,680 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,062 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of East Central College earn a median of $37,925 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,062 median debt.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $25,153. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $54,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Washburn University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Students borrow a median of $21,175 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $50,955. Set against $21,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #15 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $24,095 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Southeast Missouri State University placed #16 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $19,000. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $28,421. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #17 for value in fine & studio arts this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,956 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $20,192. That is a strong return on a $23,956 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Winona State University landed the #18 spot for fine & studio arts value this year. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Students borrow a median of $24,551 to complete the fine & studio arts program here. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $53,109 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $28,783. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Anoka Ramsey Community College came in at #20 for value in fine & studio arts this year. Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Coon Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,682. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $22,593. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Anoka Ramsey Community College generally make around $44,293. That is a strong return on a $22,593 median debt.
Emporia State University placed #21 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $25,129 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $19,276 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Kansas placed #22 among the best values for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $22,361. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $22,868. Set against $22,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $24,024 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,750 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Black Hills State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Set in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,916 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Fine & Studio Arts graduates carry a median of $26,820 in student loans. Early-career fine & studio arts graduates make about $42,789. Set against $26,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Typical student debt for fine & studio arts graduates is $24,624. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $25,660. That is a strong return on a $24,624 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Fine & Studio Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fine & studio arts value ranking:
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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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
