Best Value Fine and Studio Arts Colleges in Georgia

The University of North Georgia offers Fine and Studio Arts graduates the lowest net price at $10,785, yet median earnings drop to just $9,000 annually. This stark contrast highlights Georgia's challenging art market where even top programs like the University of Georgia, with its $27,015 median earnings and $13,816 net cost, struggle to deliver strong financial returns. Private institutions command significantly higher prices, with Savannah College of Art and Design reaching $45,450 in net costs while producing graduates earning $26,977. Georgia's booming film industry, centered in Atlanta, has created opportunities for visual artists in production design and digital media. The state's HOPE Scholarship covers full tuition at public colleges for students maintaining a 3.0 GPA, making institutions like Kennesaw State University particularly attractive at just $5,786 for in-state students. Public universities dominate the value equation, with nine of the top ten most affordable options being state institutions. Graduation rates vary dramatically, from 36.8% at University of North Georgia to 87.2% at University of Georgia, suggesting program quality differs significantly across price points.

Programs

$10,785 – $45,450

Net Price Range

$22,141

Avg. Program Earnings

53.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

28 Fine and Studio Arts Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Georgia Athens, Georgia	$13,816	$27,015	$11,180	87.2%	42.6%
2	Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, Georgia	$16,972	$30,771	$5,786	48.1%	67.9%
3	Georgia State University Atlanta, Georgia	$15,931	$27,907	$8,478	53.7%	66.8%
4	University of West Georgia Carrollton, Georgia	$15,450	$25,658	$5,971	42.7%	80.1%
5	Columbus State University Columbus, Georgia	$11,889	$18,315	$5,751	41.7%	87.8%
6	Valdosta State University Valdosta, Georgia	$11,298	$16,345	$6,007	41.7%	89.5%
7	Augusta University Augusta, Georgia	$13,347	$16,663	$8,122	48.6%	85.5%
8	Georgia Southern University Statesboro, Georgia	$16,531	$20,482	$5,905	52.1%	88.9%
9	University of North Georgia Dahlonega, Georgia	$10,785	$9,000	$5,009	36.8%	69.6%
10	Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, Georgia	$35,115	$24,421	$26,446	47.8%	56.3%
11	Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, Georgia	$45,450	$26,977	$40,595	70.5%	81.7%
12	Piedmont University Demorest, Georgia	$20,893		$30,680	41.5%	64.4%
13	Mercer University Macon, Georgia	$22,350		$40,890	73.4%	74.7%
14	Shorter University Rome, Georgia	$16,286		$24,044	37.1%	97.5%
15	Spelman College Atlanta, Georgia	$36,828		$30,058	76.1%	28.4%
16	Wesleyan College Macon, Georgia	$14,528		$27,650	60.6%	66.8%
17	Young Harris College Young Harris, Georgia	$11,008		$32,305	45.7%	77.3%
18	Oglethorpe University Atlanta, Georgia	$21,735		$45,806	53.9%	71.0%
19	Morehouse College Atlanta, Georgia	$35,949		$31,725	52.7%	60.0%
20	Agnes Scott College Decatur, Georgia	$24,224		$48,150	70.5%	66.5%
21	Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, Georgia	$18,809		$8,998	61.6%	80.0%
22	Georgia Southwestern State University Americus, Georgia	$12,052		$4,980	31.9%	73.2%
23	Emory University Atlanta, Georgia	$23,911		$60,774	91.8%	11.4%
24	South University-Savannah Savannah, Georgia	$24,116		$18,238	22.7%
25	Covenant College Lookout Mountain, Georgia	$24,832		$40,464	71.9%	84.1%
26	Brenau University Gainesville, Georgia	$20,786		$33,275	35.4%	86.6%
27	Berry College Mount Berry, Georgia	$21,568		$40,416	73.9%	66.3%
28	Albany State University Albany, Georgia	$14,251		$5,934	22.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Georgia stand out for Fine and Studio Arts value?

University of Georgia delivers the highest median earnings at $27,015 while maintaining a reasonable net price of $13,816. The program boasts an 87.2% graduation rate, the highest among all Georgia institutions listed. With moderate debt levels of $21,500 and selective admission at 42.55%, UGA provides strong career preparation in a competitive environment.

How does the HOPE Scholarship affect Fine and Studio Arts costs in Georgia?

The HOPE Scholarship covers full tuition for students with a 3.0 GPA at public universities, dramatically reducing costs. At Kennesaw State University, in-state students pay just $5,786 compared to the $16,972 net price for out-of-state students. This makes public programs like University of West Georgia ($5,971 in-state) extremely affordable for Georgia residents.

Is Savannah College of Art and Design worth the premium price?

SCAD charges $45,450 in net costs, more than four times the average public university price. Graduates earn $26,977 annually with $27,000 in debt, placing them near the middle of earnings ranges. The 70.5% graduation rate suggests strong program completion, but the return on investment lags behind more affordable public options like University of Georgia.

Does location within Georgia affect Fine and Studio Arts career prospects?

Atlanta-area schools like Georgia State University and Kennesaw State University offer proximity to the state's film industry and business centers. Kennesaw State produces graduates earning $30,771, the highest in the state, likely benefiting from metro Atlanta's creative economy. Rural programs like University of North Georgia show significantly lower earnings at $9,000, reflecting limited local opportunities.

Where do graduation rates signal program quality concerns?

Several programs show concerning completion rates below 45%, including University of North Georgia at 36.8% and Shorter University at 37.1%. These low rates suggest students struggle to complete their degrees, potentially due to inadequate support or misaligned expectations. Programs with rates above 70%, like University of Georgia and Mercer University, demonstrate more effective student retention.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.