2027 Best Illustration Schools in the Southeast Region
Illustration is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for illustration students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Illustration in the Southeast Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the illustration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Illustration
Our analysis ranked Virginia Commonwealth University the best school in the country for a degree in illustration. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 147 illustration students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the illustration program make about $36,156 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,937.
More information about a degree in illustration from Virginia Commonwealth University
Students looking for a strong illustration program will find one at Savannah College Of Art And Design, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 557 illustration students who graduated with this degree at Savannah College Of Art And Design in the most recent data year. Illustration graduates of Savannah College Of Art And Design earn a median of $32,194 early in their careers. Savannah College Of Art And Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full illustration details for Savannah College Of Art And Design
John Brown University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best illustration schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Siloam Springs. John Brown University graduates 72% of students within six years. About 10 illustration degrees were awarded at John Brown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their illustration degree from John Brown University earn around $24,893 in the first couple years of their career. John Brown University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in illustration from John Brown University
Students looking for a strong illustration program will find one at Ringling College Of Art And Design, which ranked #4. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Sarasota. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ringling College Of Art And Design awarded about 131 illustration degrees in the most recent data year. Illustration graduates of Ringling College Of Art And Design earn a median of $28,137 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Nossi College Of Art is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in illustration, ranking #5. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. There were roughly 14 illustration students who graduated with this degree at Nossi College Of Art in the most recent data year. Graduates of the illustration program make about $24,497 in their early career. Nossi College Of Art graduates carry a median of $46,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in illustration from Nossi College Of Art
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 5 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
