2026 Best Value Museum Studies Schools
Looking for the best-value Museum Studies programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 95 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Museum Studies Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Our analysis found Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to be the best-value Museum Studies school in the United States. Set in Edwardsville, IL, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Typical Museum Studies student debt is $23,917. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,346 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,917 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%. Read the full report on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
You'll get strong value at Texas Tech University, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in Lubbock, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Texas Tech University alumni report median earnings of $62,454 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Texas Tech University
University Of San Francisco came in at #3 on this year's best-value Museum Studies ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Francisco, CA. Students from in state pay about $60,522 in tuition and fees. The median Museum Studies program debt is $23,935. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $89,812. Set against $23,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of San Francisco profile
Out of the 95 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Memphis landed the #4 spot. Based in Memphis, TN, University Of Memphis is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,458. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis has an acceptance rate of 72%. Get the full University Of Memphis report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Kansas earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical Museum Studies student debt is $23,608. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,945 ten years after entry. Set against $23,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%. Read the full report on University Of Kansas
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. University Of Akron Main Campus is a public school based in Akron, OH. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,347 to complete their Museum Studies program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,600 ten years after entry. Set against $25,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%. Read more about University Of Akron Main Campus
New York University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Museum Studies schools. New York University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. New York University Museum Studies students take on a median of $21,897 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $82,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on New York University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. The median Museum Studies program debt is $16,481. University Of Washington Seattle Campus alumni report median earnings of $78,466 a decade after entry. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%. Read more about University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Suny College At Oneonta ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Museum Studies schools. Based in Oneonta, NY, Suny College At Oneonta is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, while out-of-state students pay about $19,781. Typical Museum Studies student debt is $22,046. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,386. That is a strong return on a $22,046 median debt. About 70% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Suny College At Oneonta profile
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Indiana, PA, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Typical Museum Studies student debt is $26,513. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 91%. Read the full report on Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. The median Museum Studies program debt is $26,657. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,990. That is a strong return on a $26,657 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
George Washington University placed #12 among the best-value Museum Studies schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,710. The median Museum Studies program debt is $22,910. Graduates go on to earn a median of $90,873 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Washington University has an acceptance rate of 47%. Read the full report on George Washington University
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Austin, TX. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical Museum Studies student debt is $21,275. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $75,121. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Iowa came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. University Of Iowa is a public school based in Iowa City, IA. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. University Of Iowa Museum Studies students take on a median of $21,295 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,762 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Iowa
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Missouri State University Springfield Museum Studies students take on a median of $24,408 in debt. Missouri State University Springfield alumni report median earnings of $49,827 a decade after entry. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants. More on Missouri State University Springfield
San Francisco State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Museum Studies schools. San Francisco State University is a public school based in San Francisco, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Typical Museum Studies student debt is $17,024. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $68,077. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 96% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on San Francisco State University
Tufts University placed #17 among the best-value Museum Studies schools in the United States. Tufts University is a private not-for-profit school based in Medford, MA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. Typical Museum Studies student debt is $17,074. Median earnings reach $83,214 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tufts University has an acceptance rate of 12%. More on Tufts University
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in College Park, MD. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Median earnings reach $82,860 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants. Get the full University Of Maryland College Park report
Georgetown University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Museum Studies schools. Based in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. Median earnings reach $103,494 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $16,483 median debt. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted. More on Georgetown University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #21 among the best-value Museum Studies schools in the United States. Set in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. The median Museum Studies program debt is $23,530. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Cincinnati Main Campus report
Johns Hopkins University placed #22 among the best-value Museum Studies schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete their Museum Studies program here. Johns Hopkins University alumni report median earnings of $87,555 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants. Read more about Johns Hopkins University
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #22 among the best-value Museum Studies schools in the United States. Located in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $69,738. That is a strong return on a $20,373 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Colorado Boulder profile
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Museum Studies schools. Located in Indianapolis, IN, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical Museum Studies student debt is $23,146. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,198. That is a strong return on a $23,146 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%. Get the full Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis report
University Of Florida offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical Museum Studies student debt is $17,669. Median earnings reach $71,588 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 24% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Florida
University Of Georgia placed #26 among the best-value Museum Studies schools in the United States. Set in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical Museum Studies student debt is $21,792. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $68,726. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia has an acceptance rate of 38%. Read more about University Of Georgia
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Museum Studies Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
University Of Oregon came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Located in Eugene, OR, University Of Oregon is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. The median Museum Studies program debt is $22,034. University Of Oregon alumni report median earnings of $61,324 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Oregon
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Museum Studies schools. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. The median Museum Studies program debt is $19,137. Graduates go on to earn a median of $83,648 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Eastern Michigan University offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Set in Ypsilanti, MI, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. The median Museum Studies program debt is $28,781. Eastern Michigan University alumni report median earnings of $51,793 a decade after entry. Set against $28,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted. See the full Eastern Michigan University profile
University Of Arizona offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Set in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,979. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%. See the full University Of Arizona profile
Baylor University landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Waco, TX, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. The median Museum Studies program debt is $23,928. Median earnings reach $65,793 ten years out. Set against $23,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants. See the full Baylor University profile
Michigan State University placed #32 among the best-value Museum Studies schools in the United States. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Michigan State University Museum Studies students take on a median of $25,213 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,253. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Michigan State University
University Of New Mexico Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Located in Albuquerque, NM, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. University Of New Mexico Main Campus Museum Studies students take on a median of $19,738 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,792 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Mexico Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 95%. Read more about University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Cuny Hunter College placed #35 among the best-value Museum Studies schools in the United States. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Cuny Hunter College Museum Studies students take on a median of $11,091 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,163. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%. Read more about Cuny Hunter College
Syracuse University came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Based in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete their Museum Studies program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $79,164. That is a strong return on a $26,130 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%. Read more about Syracuse University
Augusta University offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. See the full Augusta University profile
Casper College
Casper College landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Casper College profile
Saint John Fisher College offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. See the full Saint John Fisher College profile
School Of Visual Arts came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on School Of Visual Arts
Bennington College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Museum Studies schools. Read the full report on Bennington College
Kansas State University placed #40 among the best-value Museum Studies schools in the United States. More on Kansas State University
University Of South Dakota came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of South Dakota report
Juniata College
Juniata College offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Read the full report on Juniata College
Colorado College
Colorado College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Museum Studies schools. Read more about Colorado College
Arizona State University landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Arizona State University
Suny College At Buffalo offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Get the full Suny College At Buffalo report
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Read the full report on University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Harvard University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Museum Studies schools. Read more about Harvard University
Walsh University
Walsh University placed #48 among the best-value Museum Studies schools in the United States. Read more about Walsh University
Seton Hall University landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Seton Hall University
University Of Illinois At Chicago offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. Get the full University Of Illinois At Chicago report
Best Value Museum Studies Schools by Degree Level
Compare value rankings by degree level:
- Best Value Museum Studies Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Museum Studies Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Museum Studies Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Museum Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Museum Studies Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Museum Studies Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Museum Studies Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 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 · 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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