Best Value Fine and Studio Arts Colleges in Washington

Washington State University charges $14,401 for fine arts students while the University of Washington-Bothell Campus comes in at just $10,898, showing how much costs can vary even within public institutions. The earning potential ranges from $15,552 at Eastern Washington University to $27,181 at both UW campuses, creating a complex value equation for aspiring artists. Washington's creative economy benefits from tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft requiring design talent, plus Boeing's need for industrial designers. The state's 16 fine arts programs span from specialized institutions like Cornish College of the Arts to full universities, with graduation rates ranging from 39.8% at Heritage University to 86.9% at Gonzaga University. Public universities generally offer better value propositions, though private schools like Pacific Lutheran University at $21,370 net cost bridge the gap between affordability and specialized attention.

Programs

$10,898 – $39,060

Net Price Range

$25,208

Avg. Program Earnings

65.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

16 Fine and Studio Arts Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell, Washington	$10,898	$27,181	$12,559	68.2%	88.1%
2	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485	$27,181	$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
3	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$27,048	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
4	Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington	$14,715	$25,194	$9,192	49.9%	93.5%
5	Western Washington University Bellingham, Washington	$18,680	$25,658	$9,286	65.5%	92.7%
6	Eastern Washington University Cheney, Washington	$13,091	$15,552	$8,353	47.2%	96.1%
7	Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, Washington	$21,370	$25,194	$50,964	71.0%	88.9%
8	Whitworth University Spokane, Washington	$25,884	$26,121	$50,920	68.4%	90.5%
9	Seattle University Seattle, Washington	$34,802	$26,739	$54,285	73.3%	85.2%
10	University of Puget Sound Tacoma, Washington	$38,920	$26,739	$59,900	67.9%	82.7%
11	Cornish College of the Arts Seattle, Washington	$39,060	$24,679	$39,913	52.0%	71.1%
12	Gonzaga University Spokane, Washington	$36,371		$53,500	86.9%	69.7%
13	Heritage University Toppenish, Washington	$11,893		$19,920	39.8%
14	Seattle Pacific University Seattle, Washington	$24,820		$38,814	62.1%	90.7%
15	Walla Walla University College Place, Washington	$23,992		$33,027	64.2%
16	Whitman College Walla Walla, Washington	$35,506		$61,492	81.0%	47.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Washington-Bothell the best value for fine arts in Washington?

UW-Bothell combines the lowest net cost at $10,898 with the highest graduate earnings at $27,181, creating an strong return on investment. The 68.2% graduation rate exceeds the state average for fine arts programs. Students graduate with just $13,000 in debt while accessing the same UW system resources and alumni network as the Seattle campus.

How do private art schools compare to public universities for value?

Private institutions charge significantly more, with costs ranging from $21,370 at Pacific Lutheran to $39,060 at Cornish College of the Arts. However, specialized art schools like Cornish offer focused training with a 71.13% acceptance rate. The earning potential remains similar across sectors, with private school graduates earning $24,679 to $26,739 compared to public school ranges of $15,552 to $27,181.

Does location within Washington affect fine arts program value?

Seattle-area programs offer higher earning potential but come with increased living costs that offset some advantages. UW-Seattle graduates earn $27,181 but face higher regional expenses than those at Washington State University in Pullman who earn $27,048. Eastern Washington University in Cheney offers the lowest net cost among regional schools at $13,091 but shows significantly lower graduate earnings at $15,552.

What graduation rates can fine arts students expect in Washington?

Graduation rates vary dramatically from 39.8% at Heritage University to 86.9% at Gonzaga University, with most programs falling between 47% and 73%. Public universities show mixed results, with UW-Seattle achieving 83.7% while Central Washington University graduates just 49.9% of fine arts students. The average debt load of $13,000 to $27,000 makes completion rates a critical factor in program value.

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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.