15 Cheapest Art Schools In Virginia in 2024

As an art student trying to cut down expenses on tuition, because of not being financially buoyant and trying to save up a little while studying in Virginia. Then discover the ideal cheapest arts school in Virginia that suits your budget and helps you achieve your aim.

Virginia is home to one of the oldest universities and also home to some of the biggest names in public educations in the USA. Also, they have one of the best art colleges in the US.

So, in this post, we will explore various cheapest art schools in Virginia and their tuition fees and pick the most affordable.

Why Acquire an Arts Degree in Virginia?

There are over 95 colleges and universities in Virginia enrolling 321,986 full-time students.

I know you will be asking if art schools in Virginia are worth it. Virginia has one of the best art colleges- University of Virginia Main Campus.

However, several schools in Virginia offer art programs in top specialization areas and costs.

How Hard is it To Get into Art Schools in Virginia?

Frankly speaking, from our survey of art colleges and schools in Virginia, we can say that most of these schools are fairly easy to get into.

Basically, the criteria used to determine how easy it is to get into an art school depends on the acceptance rate of the school.

How Much Does It Cost to Get An Art Degree?

Although tuition fee might be low for some colleges, it is important for students to consider the additional fees in studying in an arts college. So, the average tuition fee is about $30,000 and the average net cost of attending an art school is $42,000.

Hence, according to AOL’s Daily Finance, 80% of art college students receive financial aid, with the average cost paid to be about $23,000 yearly.

Cheapest Art Schools in Virginia

If you are looking for an affordable art university whether as a resident of Virginia or beyond, these are the least expensive schools to consider.

Ranking Criteria

The following ranking factors will help you choose the best art schools in Virginia that suit your budget.

With this regard, we have selected accreditation, the number of programs, and tuition fees. We use these standards and other quantitative and qualitative measures to classify Virginia art colleges for you.

Also, the reputation of the university where it was acquired is an important measure of the value of a degree. These complement our ranking criteria for Cheapest Schools and they include:

Tuition Fees: We consider this as one of the major criteria for ranking these art schools in Virginia and our focus tuition fee is for Bachelor’s degree.

Accreditation: This criterion is very much important because a school can be cheap but yet do not have quality. So we consider the body of accreditation as well as certification for each of these schools before ranking them. Whether they fall in the category of regional or national accreditation.

Number of Programs: This criterion is as well important especially when it has to do with online schools

List of Cheapest Art Schools in Virginia

#1 Virginia State University

Virginia State University offers her art and design program through the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. So, it offers courses leading to a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts degree.

They also offer other art-related programs like History and Philosophy, Languages and Literature, Music among others.

Also, Virginia State University is considered one of the cheapest art schools in Virginia with an acceptance rate of 91%.

In-State Tuition: $5,540

Out-of-State Tuition: $16,542

#2 James Madison University

James Madison University is a public research university in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Founded in 1908, this university is accreditated by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges(SACSCOC). Hence, they offer 115 degree programs on the bachelor’s, masters, educational specialist, and doctoral levels.

She also offers her art education program through the College of Performing arts; which includes: School of Art and art History, the school of Music, and the school of Theatre and Dance.

So, James Madison University ranks as the second cheapest Virginia College to study Arts due to its low tuition.

In-State Tuition: $7,250

Out-of-State Tuition: $24,150

#3 Longwood University

Longwood University is a public liberal arts university in Farmville, Virginia. Founded in 1835, it is one of the cheapest universities to study art in Virginia.

Also, they have an acceptance rate of 74%.

Accredited by the SACSCOC, she offers her art education program through the Cook-Cole College of Arts and Sciences. So, this houses the core of liberal arts offerings at the university and offers 18 majors with dozens of Minors and concentrations.

So, you can get a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual and Performing Arts here.

In-State Tuition: $7,940

Out-of-State Tuition: $23,900

#4 University of Mary Washington

The University of Mary Washington(UMW) is a public liberal arts and sciences university located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Founded in 1908, UMW is consistently ranked as a top art college in the USA with an acceptance rate of 74%.

Also, UMW is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. And, it focuses more on undergraduate as well as Masters programs.

UMW offers her art programs through the College of Arts and Sciences with nearly over 100 majors. Their department of Art and Art History houses over 7 art studios to give students of art innovative learning experience. Students also have access to historic exhibits in the two art galleries provides for them.

In-State Tuition: $8,678

Out-of-State Tuition: $25,104

#5 Norfolk State University

Norfolk State University is a public university founded in 1935 in Norfolk, near Virginia Beach, VA. With an acceptance rate of 85%, the SACSCOC has accredited Norfolk State to award associate, baccalaureate, master and doctoral degrees.

Currently, Norfolk offers two doctorate and 15 master’s degree programs.

NSU offers her art education programs through the College of Liberal Arts. So, you can get a Bachelor’s as well as Master’s in Fine Arts schooling in this Virginia based college at an affordable tuition rate.

In-State Tuition: $8,768

Out-of-State Tuition: $20,340

#6 George Mason University

George Mason University, GMU, is a public research university in Fairfax, Virginia. Founded in 1956, GMU is accredited by the SACSCOC to award bachelor’s, Masters and doctoral degrees.

GMU offers her art education program through the School of Art, which is among the top 100 best graduate programs in fine arts by U.S News and World Report.

So, they give effective education in arts with a curriculum that covers all their concentrations: Drawing, Graphic Design, New Media, Photography, Sculpture, Painting and Print Making.

Also, they have an acceptance rate of 81% and makes our list of affordable art schools recommended for you.

In-State Tuition: $9,060

Out-of-State Tuition: $32,520

#7 Christopher Newport University

Christopher Newport University is a public liberal arts University, founded in 1960, in Newport News, Virginia. So, CNU is the youngest comprehensive University in the commonwealth of Virginia.

Also, CNU offers a variety of 4-year bachelor of arts as well as a bachelor of science degree.

With an acceptance rate of 62%, CNU offers her art programs through the College of Arts and Humanities, which includes the Departments of Fine Arts and Art History, Music, Theatre and Dance, Literature among others.

CNU has received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Hence, Christopher Newport University is a fully accredited school to study arts in Virginia at a cheaper rate and get quality education.

In-State Tuition: $9,100

Out-of-State Tuition: $21,966

#8 Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University, ODU, is a public research university in Norfolk, also near Virginia Beach, VA. Founded in 1930, ODU is one of the largest university in Virginia. Also, ODU is home to over 700 international students from 89 different countries with an acceptance rate of 84.6%.

Accreditated by SACSCOC, ODU offers 168 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

So, ODU offers her art program through the the college of Arts and Letters which has 15 departments. These department include: Asian studies,Art, Communications and Theatre Arts, Music among others.

Furthermore, the College of Arts and Letters is accredited by National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

So, quality art education with low tuition rate? I’m sure ODU is your best bet.

In-State Tuition: $9,274

Out-of-State Tuition: $25,947

#9 Virginia Military Institute

Virginia Military Institute is first public senior Military College in the United States. Founded in 1839, VMI enrolls cadets only. Also, it is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate degrees.

So, VMI’s academic program offers rigorous education that also includes a broad, 4-year core curriculum with selected majors in liberal arts, engineering and other sciences.

Acceptance rate is 50.9%, but as one of the schools with the lowest tuition rate to study arts in Virginia, VMI makes our list.

In-State Tuition: $9,284

Out-of-State Tuition: $36,128

#10 The University of Virginia’s College at Wise

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise formally called Clinch Valley College of the University of Virginia was established in 1954.

It is a public liberal arts college that is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate degrees.

So, its department of Visual and Performing Arts offers the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences with majors minors in Art, Music, and Theatre.

We still enlist UVA College at Wise as one of the cheapest art schools in Virginia due to its tuition fees. Also, UVA College at Wise has an acceptance rate of 77.7%.

In-State Tuition: $10,252

Out-of-State Tuition: $28,661

#11 Radford University

Radford University is a public university in Radford, Virginia. Also, It is one of the state’s eight doctorate-granting public universities. Founded in 1910, Radford offers curricula for undergraduates in more than 100 fields, as well as graduate programs including Masters and Doctorate degree programs.

So, it offers arts programs through her college of Visual and Performing arts. Art majors may concentrate in studio art, graphic design, art history and museum studies, or art education.

Radford University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award Associate, Baccalaureate, Masters and Doctorate degrees. Also, they have an acceptance rate of 74%.

In-State Tuition Fee: $11,350.00

Out-of-State Tuition Fee: $23,432.00

#12 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, also known as Virginia Tech (VT), is a public, land-grant, research university with its main campus in Blacksburg Virginia. VT was founded in 1872 and is the second-largest public university in Virginia by enrollment with an acceptance rate of 70.9%.

Furthermore, Virginia Tech is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees.

In Virginia Tech, the School of Visual Arts offers an expansive undergraduate and graduate education in Fine Art, creative technology art history and graphic design.

In-State Tuition: $11,595

Out-of-State Tuition: $29,883

#13 Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a public research university in Richmond, Virginia, founded in 1854.

Also, VCU is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees.

So, VCU offers her art programs through the Virginia Commonwealth University Schools of the Arts, VCUarts. This is a public non-profit art and design school in Richmond that comprises 18 bachelor’s degree and 6 master’s degree programs.

Founded in 1928, VCUarts consistently ranks among the top 10 art programs in the country by U.S News & World report.

This is really cool stuff.

In-State Tuition: $12,247

Out-of-State Tuition: $39,442

#14 University of Virginia-Main Campus

University of Virginia-Main Campus offers 7 Art And Design Degree programs. It’s a large public university in a small suburb. In 2015, 54 students graduated in the study area of Art And Design with students earning 44 Bachelor’s degrees, 7 Master’s degrees, as well as 3 Doctoral degrees.

Also, the University of Virginia is fully accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

However, it has an acceptance rate of 27%. But, we still consider UVA among the most affordable schools to study art in Virginia.

In-State Tuition: $14,148

Out-of-State Tuition: $45872

#15 College of William and Mary

The College of William & Mary (also known as William & Mary, W&M, and officially The College of William and Mary in Virginia) is a public research university in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Founded in 1693 by letters patent issued by King William III and Queen Mary II, it is the second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, after Harvard University.

William and Mary generally offer 11 select graduate programs and dozen undergraduate majors and minors in arts and sciences. Also, they are accredited by the SACSCOC to award baccalaureate, master’s, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees.

So, College of William and Mary is still considered one of the affordable art schools in Virginia with an acceptance rate of 36.5%.

In-State Tuition: $17,434

Out-of-State Tuition: $40,089

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Cost is an important factor in pursuing a degree in any college of art. However, there are some art schools that can offer quality education at a reduced cost in Virginia.

So, this article will help you make the right choice from the list of the 15 Cheapest art schools in Virginia, we have compiled for you.

I hope you find this helpful.

Good Luck!!!

References

• Wikipedia.org
• Niche.org -Best Colleges for Art in Virginia

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