2026 Best Museum Studies Schools
Looking for the best Museum Studies programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 95 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Museum Studies Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is Tufts University, our #1 Museum Studies school in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Medford, MA. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Tufts University Museum Studies students take on a median of $17,074 in debt. See the full Tufts University profile
A rank of #2 makes Johns Hopkins University one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Johns Hopkins University Museum Studies students take on a median of $13,426 in debt. Read more about Johns Hopkins University
A rank of #3 makes Georgetown University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Georgetown University Museum Studies students take on a median of $16,483 in debt. See the full Georgetown University profile
A rank of #4 makes New York University one of the top choices in the United States. Based in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Typical Museum Studies student debt is $21,897. More on New York University
Out of the 95 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of San Francisco landed the #5 spot. Based in San Francisco, CA, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of San Francisco graduates 70% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $60,522 in tuition and fees. University Of San Francisco Museum Studies students take on a median of $23,935 in debt. Get the full University Of San Francisco report
The University Of Texas At Austin did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical Museum Studies student debt is $21,275. See the full The University Of Texas At Austin profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #7 among Museum Studies schools in the United States. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public school based in Seattle, WA. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. University Of Washington Seattle Campus Museum Studies students take on a median of $16,481 in debt. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #8 in this year's ranking. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. About 93% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete their Museum Studies program here. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
George Washington University did well this year, earning the #9 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. George Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. George Washington University Museum Studies students take on a median of $22,910 in debt. See the full George Washington University profile
University Of Kansas came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Lawrence, KS. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. University Of Kansas Museum Studies students take on a median of $23,608 in debt. More on University Of Kansas
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #11 in this year's ranking. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school based in College Park, MD. University Of Maryland College Park posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. University Of Maryland College Park Museum Studies students take on a median of $20,836 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Iowa landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Set in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. University Of Iowa posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. The median Museum Studies program debt is $21,295. Read the full report on University Of Iowa
Texas Tech University landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Based in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete their Museum Studies program here. See the full Texas Tech University profile
Suny College At Oneonta ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Museum Studies schools. Suny College At Oneonta is a public school based in Oneonta, NY. Suny College At Oneonta graduates 69% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,781. Typical Museum Studies student debt is $22,046. Get the full Suny College At Oneonta report
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Museum Studies schools. Located in Edwardsville, IL, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Typical Museum Studies student debt is $23,917. More on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Set in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Museum Studies students take on a median of $26,657 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
University Of Colorado Boulder did well this year, earning the #17 position. University Of Colorado Boulder is a public school based in Boulder, CO. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates 74% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. University Of Colorado Boulder Museum Studies students take on a median of $20,373 in debt. See the full University Of Colorado Boulder profile
Baylor University landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Waco, TX. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Typical Museum Studies student debt is $23,928. Read the full report on Baylor University
Michigan State University landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Based in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical Museum Studies student debt is $25,213. Read more about Michigan State University
University Of Florida placed #21 among Museum Studies schools in the United States. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. University Of Florida Museum Studies students take on a median of $17,669 in debt. Read more about University Of Florida
University Of Arizona came in at #22 in this year's ranking. University Of Arizona is a public school based in Tucson, AZ. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete their Museum Studies program here. Read the full report on University Of Arizona
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #23 among Museum Studies schools in the United States. Based in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. See the full University Of Cincinnati Main Campus profile
University Of Georgia placed #24 among Museum Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Athens, GA. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. The median Museum Studies program debt is $21,792. See the full University Of Georgia profile
University Of Oregon did well this year, earning the #25 position. Set in Eugene, OR, University Of Oregon is a public institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. University Of Oregon Museum Studies students take on a median of $22,034 in debt. More on University Of Oregon
University Of Memphis did well this year, earning the #26 position. This public school is set in Memphis, TN. About 51% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical Museum Studies student debt is $26,315. Get the full University Of Memphis report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Museum Studies Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Located in Indianapolis, IN, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. The median Museum Studies program debt is $23,146. Read the full report on Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Based in Indiana, PA, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public institution. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Typical Museum Studies student debt is $26,513. See the full Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus profile
Syracuse University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Museum Studies schools. Based in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Syracuse University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,528. Syracuse University Museum Studies students take on a median of $26,130 in debt. See the full Syracuse University profile
Eastern Michigan University landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Based in Ypsilanti, MI, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. See the full Eastern Michigan University profile
San Francisco State University came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Located in San Francisco, CA, San Francisco State University is a public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. The median Museum Studies program debt is $17,024. Get the full San Francisco State University report
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Located in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Missouri State University Springfield posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,408 to complete their Museum Studies program here. Get the full Missouri State University Springfield report
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #34 among Museum Studies schools in the United States. This public school is set in Akron, OH. About 52% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical Museum Studies student debt is $25,347. Get the full University Of Akron Main Campus report
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Located in Albuquerque, NM, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. The median Museum Studies program debt is $19,738. See the full University Of New Mexico Main Campus profile
Cuny Hunter College came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Set in New York, NY, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Cuny Hunter College Museum Studies students take on a median of $11,091 in debt. Read more about Cuny Hunter College
Bennington College placed #35 among Museum Studies schools in the United States. More on Bennington College
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Read more about Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Get the full Cuny Queensborough Community College report
Humboldt State University placed #38 among Museum Studies schools in the United States. Read the full report on Humboldt State University
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Get the full Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania report
Middlebury College came in at #40 in this year's ranking. See the full Middlebury College profile
Cleveland State University placed #41 among Museum Studies schools in the United States. More on Cleveland State University
School Of Visual Arts landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Get the full School Of Visual Arts report
Randolph College
Randolph College landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Randolph College report
University Of South Carolina Columbia did well this year, earning the #44 position. See the full University Of South Carolina Columbia profile
Suny College At Buffalo ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Museum Studies schools. More on Suny College At Buffalo
Westminster College Missouri landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. More on Westminster College Missouri
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. See the full University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs profile
St Johns University New York did well this year, earning the #48 position. Read the full report on St Johns University New York
Walsh University
Walsh University did well this year, earning the #49 position. Get the full Walsh University report
Colorado College
Colorado College placed #50 among Museum Studies schools in the United States. Get the full Colorado College report
Best Museum Studies Schools by Degree Level
Compare rankings by degree level:
- Best Museum Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Museum Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Museum Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Museum Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Museum Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Museum Studies Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Museum Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 95 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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