Illustration is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their illustration programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 48 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for illustration students pursuing a degree.
The school you choose for illustration can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Illustration rankings. For our Best Overall Illustration School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Illustration Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is Syracuse University, our #1 school for illustration. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Syracuse. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 29 illustration students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their illustration degree from Syracuse University earn around $46,181 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full illustration program report for Syracuse University
Fashion Institute Of Technology is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in illustration, ranking #2. Set in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 222 illustration students who graduated with this degree at Fashion Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the illustration program make about $20,692 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in illustration from Fashion Institute Of Technology
A rank of #3 makes Collin County Community College District one of the top schools for illustration. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. There were roughly 22 illustration students who graduated with this degree at Collin County Community College District in the most recent data year. Illustration graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $33,456 early in their careers. Collin County Community College District graduates carry a median of $6,900 in student loans.
See the full illustration program report for Collin County Community College District
Students looking for a strong illustration program will find one at Rhode Island School Of Design, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Providence, Rhode Island School Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 131 illustration degrees were awarded at Rhode Island School Of Design in the most recent year. Students who receive their illustration degree from Rhode Island School Of Design earn around $29,489 in the first couple years of their career. Rhode Island School Of Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full illustration program report for Rhode Island School Of Design
A rank of #5 makes Pratt Institute Main one of the top schools for illustration. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 23 illustration degrees were awarded at Pratt Institute Main in the most recent year. Illustration graduates of Pratt Institute Main earn a median of $40,880 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in illustration from Pratt Institute Main
Rochester Institute Of Technology ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best illustration schools. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. About 72% of students finish within six years. Rochester Institute Of Technology awarded about 39 illustration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the illustration program make about $34,709 in their early career. Rochester Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full illustration details for Rochester Institute Of Technology
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #7 for illustration this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Provo. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Brigham Young University Provo awarded about 14 illustration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $33,915. Brigham Young University Provo graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans.
Read more about the illustration program at Brigham Young University Provo
The New School placed #8 among the best illustration schools. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The New School graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 110 illustration students who graduated with this degree at The New School in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from The New School generally make around $36,279. Typical student debt for the program is $23,606.
Get the full illustration details for The New School
Maryland Institute College Of Art placed #9 among the best illustration schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Maryland Institute College Of Art awarded about 120 illustration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the illustration program make about $48,637 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full illustration program report for Maryland Institute College Of Art
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #10 for illustration this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 147 illustration degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $36,156. Typical student debt for the program is $25,937.
See the full illustration program report for Virginia Commonwealth University
Mesa Community College earned the #11 position for illustration this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. Mesa Community College awarded about 10 illustration degrees in the most recent data year. Illustration graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,750.
See the full illustration program report for Mesa Community College
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #12 position for illustration this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Brigham Young University Idaho graduates 50% of students within six years. About 16 illustration degrees were awarded at Brigham Young University Idaho in the most recent year. Students who receive their illustration degree from Brigham Young University Idaho earn around $43,853 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete this degree.
See the full illustration program report for Brigham Young University Idaho
Salt Lake Community College came in at #13 for illustration this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. About 10 illustration degrees were awarded at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the illustration program make about $34,227 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,766.
Read more about the illustration program at Salt Lake Community College
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design landed the #14 spot for illustration this year. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Boston. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design awarded about 79 illustration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the illustration program make about $24,706 in their early career. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans.
Get the full illustration details for Massachusetts College Of Art And Design
Art Center College Of Design came in at #15 for illustration this year. Art Center College Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Art Center College Of Design awarded about 141 illustration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Art Center College Of Design generally make around $47,053. Students borrow a median of $31,050 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in illustration from Art Center College Of Design
College For Creative Studies placed #16 among the best illustration schools. Located in the city of Detroit, College For Creative Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 42 illustration students who graduated with this degree at College For Creative Studies in the most recent data year. Illustration graduates of College For Creative Studies earn a median of $32,665 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in illustration from College For Creative Studies
Otis College Of Art And Design landed the #17 spot for illustration this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Otis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. Otis College Of Art And Design graduates 66% of students within six years. Otis College Of Art And Design awarded about 15 illustration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the illustration program make about $31,172 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in illustration from Otis College Of Art And Design
Lesley University came in at #18 for illustration this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 illustration students who graduated with this degree at Lesley University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their illustration degree from Lesley University earn around $25,227 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500.
Read more about the illustration program at Lesley University
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #19 among the best illustration schools. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 illustration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth in the most recent data year. Graduates of the illustration program make about $29,660 in their early career. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the illustration program at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology placed #20 among the best illustration schools. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. There were roughly 13 illustration students who graduated with this degree at Lake Washington Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $60,000. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete this degree.
Get the full illustration details for Lake Washington Institute Of Technology
California College Of The Arts ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best illustration schools. California College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 illustration degrees were awarded at California College Of The Arts in the most recent year. Illustration graduates of California College Of The Arts earn a median of $28,673 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the illustration program at California College Of The Arts
Mohawk Valley Community College earned the #22 position for illustration this year. Located in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Mohawk Valley Community College awarded about 18 illustration degrees in the most recent data year. Illustration graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $21,012 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,534.
Read more about the illustration program at Mohawk Valley Community College
University Of Hartford landed the #23 spot for illustration this year. Set in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of Hartford graduates 58% of students within six years. University Of Hartford awarded about 43 illustration degrees in the most recent data year. Illustration graduates of University Of Hartford earn a median of $29,515 early in their careers. University Of Hartford graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in illustration from University Of Hartford
Ferris State University came in at #24 for illustration this year. This large public university is located in the town of Big Rapids. Ferris State University graduates 56% of students within six years. Ferris State University awarded about 21 illustration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the illustration program make about $34,045 in their early career. Ferris State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the illustration program at Ferris State University
Columbia College Chicago earned the #25 position for illustration this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia College Chicago awarded about 57 illustration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their illustration degree from Columbia College Chicago earn around $29,630 in the first couple years of their career. Columbia College Chicago graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in illustration from Columbia College Chicago
Rest of the Top 48 Illustration Schools
These schools also placed among the best for illustration this year:
Illustration is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 48 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
