2026 Best Value Digital Arts Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Digital Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/general-visual-performing-arts/digital-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for digital arts students.
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2026 Best Value Digital Arts Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in digital arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Digital Arts Schools
Our analysis ranked Hennepin Technical College the best value for a degree in digital arts in the The Plains States Region. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,887 to complete the digital arts program here. Digital Arts graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $52,059 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Nebraska Lincoln one of the best values for digital arts. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Digital Arts graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Early-career digital arts graduates make about $49,755. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in digital arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for digital arts graduates is $24,551. Soon after graduation, digital arts degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $20,013. That is a strong return on a $24,551 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in digital arts will find it at Missouri State University Springfield, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for digital arts graduates is $24,408. Digital Arts graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in digital arts will find it at University Of Missouri Columbia, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,719 to complete the digital arts program here. Digital Arts graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $29,775 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Minneapolis College Of Art And Design ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value digital arts schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,484. Students borrow a median of $27,812 to complete the digital arts program here. Early-career digital arts graduates make about $69,907. That is a strong return on a $27,812 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #7 spot for digital arts value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for digital arts graduates is $23,923. Soon after graduation, digital arts degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. Set against $23,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
