2026 Best Fine Arts Schools in Washington
Fine Arts 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 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for fine arts students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Fine Arts in Washington
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 fine arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Fine Arts
Our analysis ranked Central Washington University the best school in the country for a degree in fine arts. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. About 54% of students finish within six years. Central Washington University awarded about 36 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $26,123 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Get the full fine arts details for Central Washington University
Washington State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in fine arts, ranking #2. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. Washington State University awarded about 18 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Washington State University earn around $54,697 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,903 to complete this degree.
Get the full fine arts details for Washington State University
Pacific Lutheran University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best fine arts schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Tacoma. About 69% of students finish within six years. Pacific Lutheran University awarded about 21 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $23,766 in their early career. Pacific Lutheran University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fine arts from Pacific Lutheran University
Eastern Washington University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. Eastern Washington University graduates 44% of students within six years. About 18 fine arts degrees were awarded at Eastern Washington University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Eastern Washington University earn around $47,144 in the first couple years of their career. Eastern Washington University graduates carry a median of $19,060 in student loans.
See the full fine arts program report for Eastern Washington University
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 9 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.
