2026 Best Illustration Schools in the Southeast Region
Illustration programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 6 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
Virginia Commonwealth University tops our 2026 ranking of the best illustration schools. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 139 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. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $25,937 in student loans.
More information about a degree in illustration from Virginia Commonwealth University
John Brown University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in illustration, landing the #2 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Siloam Springs. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 illustration degrees were awarded at John Brown University in the most recent year. Graduates of the illustration program make about $24,893 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
Get the full illustration details for John Brown University
Students looking for a strong illustration program will find one at Savannah College Of Art And Design, which ranked #3. Savannah College Of Art And Design is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Savannah. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 530 illustration students who graduated with this degree at Savannah College Of Art And Design in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Savannah College Of Art And Design generally make around $32,194. Savannah College Of Art And Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the illustration program at Savannah College Of Art And Design
Ringling College Of Art And Design is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in illustration, landing the #4 spot this year. Ringling College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sarasota. Ringling College Of Art And Design graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 120 illustration students who graduated with this degree at Ringling College Of Art And Design in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Ringling College Of Art And Design generally make around $28,137. Ringling College Of Art And Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the illustration program at Ringling College Of Art And Design
Nossi College Of Art is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in illustration, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Nossi College Of Art is a small private for-profit university. Nossi College Of Art graduates 42% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 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), 2026 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 · 6 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.
