2026 Best Value Fine And Studio Arts Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Fine And Studio Arts associate’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1469 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on 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 compile 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 Fine And Studio Arts Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Cuny Laguardia Community College tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts associate's degree schools in the United States. Based in Long Island City, NY, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $8,750. Cuny Laguardia Community College alumni report median earnings of $41,653 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Cuny Laguardia Community College report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan Community College Area earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in Omaha, NE, Metropolitan Community College Area is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $12,799. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,773 ten years after entry. Set against $12,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Metropolitan Community College Area
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #3 on this year's best-value Fine And Studio Arts ranking in the United States. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $9,500 in debt. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College alumni report median earnings of $42,306 a decade after entry. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Finger Lakes Community College earned it the #4 place in the United States. Set in Canandaigua, NY, Finger Lakes Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,258, with out-of-state students paying around $8,442. Students borrow a median of $16,736 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. Median earnings reach $40,054 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $16,736 median debt. Read more about Finger Lakes Community College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Community College District earned it the #5 place in the United States. Austin Community College District is a public school based in Austin, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $16,500. Austin Community College District alumni report median earnings of $43,177 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Get the full Austin Community College District report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Minneapolis Community And Technical College earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in Minneapolis, MN, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,161. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $24,036. Minneapolis Community And Technical College alumni report median earnings of $40,086 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,036 median debt. Get the full Minneapolis Community And Technical College report
Scottsdale Community College came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Based in Scottsdale, AZ, Scottsdale Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Scottsdale Community College Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $11,187 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,905 ten years after entry. Set against $11,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Scottsdale Community College
Sinclair Community College placed #8 among the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. Located in Dayton, OH, Sinclair Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $12,525. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,558 ten years after entry. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Sinclair Community College
Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture placed #9 among the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. Set in Santa Fe, NM, Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,920. Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture alumni report median earnings of $24,505 a decade after entry. About 98% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture profile
Holyoke Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Set in Holyoke, MA, Holyoke Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,988, compared with $10,932 for out-of-state students. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $9,763. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,277 ten years after entry. Set against $9,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Holyoke Community College
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Indianapolis, IN, Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Median earnings reach $37,186 ten years out. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Ivy Tech Community College
County College Of Morris landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Randolph, NJ, County College Of Morris is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $9,250. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $50,243. Set against $9,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on County College Of Morris
Onondaga Community College came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Based in Syracuse, NY, Onondaga Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. Students borrow a median of $12,623 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. Onondaga Community College alumni report median earnings of $41,190 a decade after entry. Set against $12,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Onondaga Community College report
Northern Virginia Community College placed #14 among the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. Located in Annandale, VA, Northern Virginia Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Northern Virginia Community College Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $14,413 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,557. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Northern Virginia Community College profile
College Of Southern Nevada landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Las Vegas, NV. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,358, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. College Of Southern Nevada Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $9,980 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,087 ten years after entry. Set against $9,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full College Of Southern Nevada report
Lehigh Carbon Community College placed #16 among the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a public school based in Schnecksville, PA. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Students borrow a median of $14,450 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,436. Set against $14,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Lehigh Carbon Community College
Northwest College placed #17 among the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. Northwest College is a public school based in Powell, WY. Students from in state pay about $4,962 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,262. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $12,996. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $36,950. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Northwest College
Brookdale Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools. Brookdale Community College is a public school based in Lincroft, NJ. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $12,651. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,379 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt. Read the full report on Brookdale Community College
San Diego Mesa College came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in San Diego, CA. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. Median earnings reach $45,120 ten years out. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about San Diego Mesa College
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a public school based in Bayside, NY. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $10,052. Median earnings reach $44,214 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt. More on Cuny Queensborough Community College
Springfield Technical Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools. This public school is set in Springfield, MA. Students from in state pay about $5,904 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $9,707. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,966. That is a strong return on a $9,707 median debt. Get the full Springfield Technical Community College report
Cuny Kingsborough Community College landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Brooklyn, NY, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $7,858. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,621. That is a strong return on a $7,858 median debt. Read the full report on Cuny Kingsborough Community College
Mohawk Valley Community College came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Set in Utica, NY, Mohawk Valley Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,851. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $11,900. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $39,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Mohawk Valley Community College
Northampton County Area Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools. Located in Bethlehem, PA, Northampton County Area Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,900 in student loans. Median earnings reach $41,566 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $18,900 median debt. More on Northampton County Area Community College
Weber State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools. Based in Ogden, UT, Weber State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Weber State University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Fine And Studio Arts Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Monroe Community College came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Based in Rochester, NY, Monroe Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Graduates carry a median of $9,481 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,174 ten years after entry. Set against $9,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Monroe Community College
Owens Community College placed #27 among the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. Based in Perrysburg, OH, Owens Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,870, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Students borrow a median of $19,383 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. Owens Community College alumni report median earnings of $37,275 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Owens Community College
Nassau Community College came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. Set in Garden City, NY, Nassau Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,248. That is a strong return on a $11,850 median debt. Read the full report on Nassau Community College
Oklahoma City Community College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools. Set in Oklahoma City, OK, Oklahoma City Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Oklahoma City Community College Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $13,919 in debt. Median earnings reach $38,146 ten years out. Set against $13,919 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Oklahoma City Community College
Fashion Institute Of Technology came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Set in New York, NY, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,174, with out-of-state students paying around $22,696. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $18,342. Fashion Institute Of Technology alumni report median earnings of $62,696 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $18,342 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%. Read more about Fashion Institute Of Technology
Northern Michigan University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools. Based in Marquette, MI, Northern Michigan University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,322, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Northern Michigan University Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,107. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%. More on Northern Michigan University
Niagara County Community College came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Niagara County Community College is a public school based in Sanborn, NY. Students from in state pay about $6,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,030. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $13,970. Niagara County Community College alumni report median earnings of $42,285 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,970 median debt. See the full Niagara County Community College profile
Academy Of Art University came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. This private for-profit school is set in San Francisco, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $30,736. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $41,870. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $39,008. Set against $41,870 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Academy Of Art University
Dutchess Community College placed #34 among the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. Based in Poughkeepsie, NY, Dutchess Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,670, while out-of-state students pay about $10,670. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $11,836. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,929. Set against $11,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Dutchess Community College
Keystone College landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in La Plume, PA, Keystone College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,300. Graduates carry a median of $30,372 in student loans. Keystone College alumni report median earnings of $44,976 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Keystone College has an acceptance rate of 85%. Read more about Keystone College
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools. Located in Albuquerque, NM, Central New Mexico Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,869 ten years after entry. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Central New Mexico Community College report
Full Sail University placed #38 among the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. Set in Winter Park, FL, Full Sail University is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $26,906. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,219. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Read more about Full Sail University
San Antonio College came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Based in San Antonio, TX, San Antonio College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $11,839. Median earnings reach $39,711 ten years out. Set against $11,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on San Antonio College
Pratt Institute Main landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Brooklyn, NY, Pratt Institute Main is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,845. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,295 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pratt Institute Main has an acceptance rate of 73%. Read the full report on Pratt Institute Main
Butler University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools. See the full Butler University profile
College Of Dupage ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools. See the full College Of Dupage profile
Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools. Read the full report on Cuyahoga Community College District
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #43 among the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. More on East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania
Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. More on Metropolitan State College Of Denver
Pacific Union College placed #45 among the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. More on Pacific Union College
University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools. Read more about University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Anderson University Sc came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Anderson University Sc
Central Washington University landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Central Washington University
Columbia College South Carolina landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Columbia College South Carolina report
Lee University
Lee University ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools. Read more about Lee University
Related Fine And Studio Arts Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Fine And Studio Arts Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Fine And Studio Arts Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Fine And Studio Arts Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Fine And Studio Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Fine And Studio Arts Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Fine And Studio Arts Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Fine And Studio Arts Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 1469 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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