Cheapest Fine and Studio Arts Colleges in Minnesota

University of Minnesota-Morris delivers the state's most affordable Fine and Studio Arts education at just $9,110 annually, nearly $5,400 less than the next cheapest option. This remarkable value reflects Minnesota's commitment to accessible public education, particularly at its smaller campuses that maintain quality while controlling costs. The state's art scene benefits from Minneapolis-Saint Paul's strong creative economy, where companies like Target employ designers and visual artists for marketing campaigns and product development. Fine arts graduates across Minnesota's 20 programs earn between $22,999 and $32,925 annually, with public universities generally offering better debt-to-earnings ratios than private institutions. Saint Cloud State produces graduates earning $32,925 on average while maintaining a 95.28% acceptance rate, making it accessible to students with varying academic backgrounds. The contrast between public and private costs is stark, with some private schools charging over $49,000 in tuition compared to public in-state rates under $17,000.

Programs

$9,110 – $30,525

Net Price Range

$27,299

Avg. Program Earnings

66.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

28 Fine and Studio Arts Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Minnesota-Morris Morris, Minnesota	$9,110	$14,288	61.9%	77.7%
2	Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, Minnesota	$14,485	$10,117	46.9%	95.3%
3	Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall, Minnesota	$14,760	$10,304	44.1%	91.6%
4	Bemidji State University Bemidji, Minnesota	$17,050	$10,164	53.4%	77.5%
5	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139	$16,488	84.8%	74.9%
6	Concordia University-Saint Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$17,566	$25,000	58.8%	69.1%
7	Bethany Lutheran College Mankato, Minnesota	$17,680	$30,010	59.6%	58.5%
8	Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$17,816	$10,336	54.6%	56.6%
9	Winona State University Winona, Minnesota	$18,148	$10,498	60.9%	73.8%
10	University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, Minnesota	$18,464	$14,318	64.5%	80.7%
11	Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, Minnesota	$18,609	$9,490	54.1%	70.7%
12	Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$19,181	$9,780	38.4%	81.7%
13	Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Winona, Minnesota	$21,034	$43,160	67.7%	96.8%
14	Hamline University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$21,385	$48,311	57.7%	80.6%
15	St Catherine University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$21,563	$49,758	65.1%	92.5%
16	St Olaf College Northfield, Minnesota	$22,752	$56,970	83.5%	56.4%
17	Augsburg University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$23,875	$43,942	52.4%	76.5%
18	The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, Minnesota	$23,949	$40,454	63.0%	96.6%
19	University of Northwestern-St Paul Saint Paul, Minnesota	$25,140	$36,830	68.4%	92.5%
20	Concordia College at Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$25,651	$30,020	71.8%	65.5%
21	Minneapolis College of Art and Design Minneapolis, Minnesota	$25,935	$43,824	69.2%	56.9%
22	Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, Minnesota	$26,895	$54,310	75.9%	73.9%
23	Saint Johns University Collegeville, Minnesota	$27,018	$53,942	75.7%	86.2%
24	Carleton College Northfield, Minnesota	$27,320	$65,457	91.2%	16.6%
25	College of Saint Benedict Saint Joseph, Minnesota	$28,065	$53,884	83.0%	87.8%
26	Bethel University Saint Paul, Minnesota	$28,439	$42,930	75.2%	72.5%
27	Macalester College Saint Paul, Minnesota	$29,980	$64,908	90.4%	28.4%
28	University of St Thomas Saint Paul, Minnesota	$30,525	$52,284	75.2%	77.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Minnesota-Morris so affordable for Fine Arts students?

Morris offers Fine Arts education for just $9,110 annually, the lowest cost among Minnesota's 20 programs. As a public liberal arts college, it receives state funding that keeps tuition low while maintaining small class sizes. The campus serves about 1,400 students total, creating an intimate learning environment without the overhead costs of larger universities. Morris also has a 77.66% acceptance rate, making it accessible to students seeking quality arts education at an unbeatable price.

How do earnings compare between different Minnesota Fine Arts programs?

Fine Arts graduates earn between $22,999 and $32,925 annually, with significant variation by school. Saint Cloud State leads earnings at $32,925, while Minnesota State University-Mankato follows closely at $32,620. Hamline University graduates earn just $24,035 despite paying $48,311 in tuition, creating a challenging return on investment. Public universities generally produce graduates with higher earnings relative to their educational costs than private institutions.

Is there a significant cost difference between public and private Fine Arts programs in Minnesota?

Public universities charge between $9,490 and $16,488 for in-state tuition, while private schools range from $25,000 to $49,758 annually. St Catherine University charges $49,758 compared to Morris's $14,288, a difference of over $35,000 per year. Net costs show similar patterns, with public schools averaging under $20,000 while private institutions often exceed $21,000. The Minnesota State Grant helps narrow this gap for qualifying low-income students at both public and private schools.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Minnesota Fine Arts schools?

Higher-priced schools generally show better graduation rates, though exceptions exist. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities achieves an 84.80% graduation rate at $17,139 net cost, offering excellent value. Saint Mary's University graduates 67.70% of students despite charging $43,160 in tuition. Metropolitan State University shows the lowest graduation rate at 38.40%, though it serves many non-traditional students who face different completion challenges than typical college-age students.

Where do Fine Arts graduates find employment opportunities in Minnesota?

Minnesota's Twin Cities area offers the strongest job market for Fine Arts graduates, with companies like Target employing graphic designers and visual merchandisers. The Mayo Clinic system hires medical illustrators and therapeutic arts specialists across its Minnesota locations. Museums, galleries, and cultural institutions in Minneapolis-Saint Paul provide traditional fine arts career paths. Many graduates also find freelance opportunities or start their own creative businesses, supported by Minnesota's entrepreneurial culture and relatively low cost of living outside the metro area.

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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.