2026 Best Value Fine And Studio Arts Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Fine And Studio Arts doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 1469 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Cuny Graduate School And University Center tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts doctoral degree schools in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,235, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Median earnings reach $65,991 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%. Read the full report on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
You'll get strong value at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #2 this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $24,057. Median earnings reach $75,121 ten years out. Set against $24,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
A rank of #3 makes University Of Delaware one of the best values in the United States. Set in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Graduates carry a median of $25,908 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,950. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Delaware profile
Out of the 1469 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #4 spot. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $19,316 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $73,792 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #5 place in the United States. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,254 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $92,446. Set against $13,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of California Berkeley
Emory University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools. Emory University is a private not-for-profit school based in Atlanta, GA. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,280. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $19,431. Graduates go on to earn a median of $80,137 ten years after entry. Set against $19,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%. Read more about Emory University
University Of Maryland College Park offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. This public school is set in College Park, MD. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. University Of Maryland College Park Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $20,000 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,860 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%. More on University Of Maryland College Park
Suny At Binghamton ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools. Set in Vestal, NY, Suny At Binghamton is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,286 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $80,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Suny At Binghamton
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $14,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $82,511. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants. Read more about University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Georgia offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Based 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 Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $21,947. Median earnings reach $68,726 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,947 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Georgia
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $86,863. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Virginia Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 17%. More on University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of Iowa came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Set in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $27,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,762 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Iowa has an acceptance rate of 84%. Read the full report on University Of Iowa
Florida State University placed #12 among the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Tallahassee, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,222 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%. See the full Florida State University profile
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #14 among the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $21,356. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $81,054. That is a strong return on a $21,356 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Duke University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools. Set in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. Duke University alumni report median earnings of $97,800 a decade after entry. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants. See the full Duke University profile
Temple University came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Temple University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Temple University Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,727. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants. See the full Temple University profile
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Set in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Graduates carry a median of $16,978 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $74,915 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Barbara has an acceptance rate of 33%. See the full University Of California Santa Barbara profile
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. This public school is set in Chapel Hill, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $14,600. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill alumni report median earnings of $72,200 a decade after entry. Set against $14,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 15% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #19 among the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Norman, OK. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $23,250. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus has an acceptance rate of 77%. Read the full report on University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public school based in New Brunswick, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $25,975. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $74,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 58% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of Kansas ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools. University Of Kansas is a public school based in Lawrence, KS. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,361 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,945. Set against $22,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%. Read the full report on University Of Kansas
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #22 among the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $23,956 in debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities alumni report median earnings of $69,020 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities has an acceptance rate of 80%. Get the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities report
University Of Illinois At Chicago offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Set in Chicago, IL, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $26,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,740. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%. Read more about University Of Illinois At Chicago
University Of Florida placed #24 among the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $16,863. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $71,588. That is a strong return on a $16,863 median debt. About 24% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Florida
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #25 among the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. Set in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $26,849 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. Median earnings reach $60,409 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants. Read more about Ohio State University Main Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Fine And Studio Arts Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
University Of California San Diego came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. University Of California San Diego is a public school based in La Jolla, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Graduates carry a median of $15,218 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $84,943 ten years after entry. Set against $15,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants. Read more about University Of California San Diego
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #27 among the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public school based in Pittsburgh, PA. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $23,477. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus alumni report median earnings of $66,125 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,477 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
New York University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools. New York University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $27,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $82,509. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University has an acceptance rate of 9%. Read more about New York University
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $23,359 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $111,371. That is a strong return on a $23,359 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #30 among the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Graduates carry a median of $19,319 in student loans. Median earnings reach $83,648 ten years out. Set against $19,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. Set in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,517. Graduates carry a median of $26,853 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $102,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Located in Richmond, VA, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $23,374. Virginia Commonwealth University alumni report median earnings of $58,128 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,374 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Virginia Commonwealth University
Rice University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools. Based in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $89,718. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Rice University has an acceptance rate of 8%. See the full Rice University profile
Northwestern University came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Northwestern University Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $89,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%. Read more about Northwestern University
Stony Brook University placed #35 among the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. Located in Stony Brook, NY, Stony Brook University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Stony Brook University Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $16,000 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $74,502 ten years after entry. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%. More on Stony Brook University
Bard College came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Based in Annandale-On-Hudson, NY, Bard College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $66,436 in tuition and fees. Bard College Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $46,543. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Bard College admits about 52% of applicants. Read the full report on Bard College
Yale University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in New Haven, CT. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $14,357. Yale University alumni report median earnings of $100,533 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants. Read the full report on Yale University
University Of Southern California offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. Students borrow a median of $21,125 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $92,498. Set against $21,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 10% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Southern California profile
Brown University landed the #39 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,312. Graduates carry a median of $17,300 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $93,487. That is a strong return on a $17,300 median debt. About 5% of those who apply are admitted. More on Brown University
Boston University placed #40 among the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. Boston University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Boston University Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $83,238 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%. Read the full report on Boston University
Johns Hopkins University came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $87,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%. Read more about Johns Hopkins University
Biola University
Biola University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools. See the full Biola University profile
Citrus College
Citrus College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools. Read more about Citrus College
Coe College
Coe College came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Coe College report
Cornish College Of The Arts came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. More on Cornish College Of The Arts
Mount Olive College placed #46 among the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. Get the full Mount Olive College report
New England College ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fine And Studio Arts schools. Get the full New England College report
St Lawrence University landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full St Lawrence University report
Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Tulane University Of Louisiana report
American Samoa Community College came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. See the full American Samoa Community College profile
Related Fine And Studio Arts Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at 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 Associate’s 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
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published 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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