Best Colleges for Fine and Studio Arts

Fine and Studio Arts programs prepare students for careers in visual arts, design, and creative industries. With 494 colleges offering this major nationwide, graduates typically earn around $25,689 annually in their early careers, though earnings vary significantly based on specialization and career path.

When evaluating programs, students should prioritize access to well-equipped studios, experienced faculty who are practicing artists, and strong alumni networks in creative fields. Look for schools that offer diverse media exposure, from traditional painting and sculpture to digital arts and mixed media. Consider programs with gallery spaces for student exhibitions, internship opportunities with museums or design firms, and career services that understand the unique challenges of building an arts-based career.

Schools Ranked

$38,811

Avg. Program Earnings

79.8%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Median Earnings	Graduation Rate	School Type
1	Cornell University Ithaca, New York	$45,696	95.1%	private-nonprofit
2	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, California	$45,082	85.2%	public
3	Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, North Carolina	$44,170	90.9%	private-nonprofit
4	Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$43,798	68.2%	private-nonprofit
5	Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee	$42,682	92.7%	private-nonprofit
6	Barnard College New York, New York	$41,789	92.9%	private-nonprofit
7	Marist College Poughkeepsie, New York	$40,697	79.8%	private-nonprofit
8	University of Virginia-Main Campus Charlottesville, Virginia	$40,312	95.3%	public
9	Fordham University Bronx, New York	$39,369	80.3%	private-nonprofit
10	Williams College Williamstown, Massachusetts	$38,289	96.6%	private-nonprofit
11	Avila University Kansas City, Missouri	$38,289	42.6%	private-nonprofit
12	University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$38,289	96.8%	private-nonprofit
13	University of Southern California Los Angeles, California	$37,208	92.0%	private-nonprofit
14	Pace University New York, New York	$37,208	61.4%	private-nonprofit
15	The College of New Jersey Ewing, New Jersey	$36,938	85.2%	public
16	Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, California	$36,848	79.8%	private-nonprofit
17	Grand View University Des Moines, Iowa	$36,668	55.8%	private-nonprofit
18	Wellesley College Wellesley, Massachusetts	$36,312	91.2%	private-nonprofit
19	Brandeis University Waltham, Massachusetts	$36,141	86.1%	private-nonprofit
20	University of Houston-Clear Lake Houston, Texas	$36,134	50.9%	public
21	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, Maryland	$36,048	88.6%	public
22	Hofstra University Hempstead, New York	$35,864	67.1%	private-nonprofit
23	Vassar College Poughkeepsie, New York	$35,600	89.1%	private-nonprofit
24	Tarleton State University Stephenville, Texas	$35,416	51.2%	public
25	James Madison University Harrisonburg, Virginia	$35,416	80.9%	public