by our College Data Analytics TeamIllustration was the 249th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 2,538 degrees in this year alone. This is approximately the same as the 2,551 graduates the prior year.
This year's Best Illustration Schools ranking compares 49 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom illustration rankings further below.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts
Translate your creative ideas through concept, design and digital media with a bachelor's in graphic design online from Southern New Hampshire University.
A major in illustration prepares you for careers in which understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is crucial. Required skills include giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most illustration degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic illustration program qualifications, to serve in some illustration careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Illustration degree levels vary. Illustration programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest illustration degree you can get. Illustration programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to illustration, with approximately 39.1% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to illustration tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 40.4% |
| Master’s Degree | 26.9% |
| First Professional Degree | 13.5% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 9.0% |
| Doctoral Degree | 4.5% |
91.3% of illustration workers have at least a bachelor's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in illustration have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which illustration career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your illustration degree? Illustration careers are expected to grow 7.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to illustration.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Set and Exhibit Designers | 16,100 | 10.3% |
| Artists | 13,500 | 5.5% |
| Designers | 9,500 | 5.6% |
As you might expect, salaries for illustration graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for illustration graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers illustration grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Designers | $68,610 |
| Artists | $67,700 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $61,020 |
With over 108 different illustration degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased illustration school rankings to help you with this.
One of 9 majors within the Design & Applied Arts area of study, Illustration has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Graphic Design | 8,710 |
| Interior Design | 5,840 |
| Visual Communications | 5,765 |
| Commercial & Advertising Art | 3,597 |
| Fashion Design | 3,103 |
