2027 Best Fine Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Fine Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their fine arts programs.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 37 schools to find the best for fine arts students.
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Best Schools for Fine Arts in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall fine arts education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Fine Arts
Illinois State University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in fine arts. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $35,967 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,125.
Read more about the fine arts program at Illinois State University
University Of Wisconsin Madison is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in fine arts, ranking #2. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 59 fine arts degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $30,719 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,316.
Read more about the fine arts program at University Of Wisconsin Madison
Xavier University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 10 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Xavier University in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of Xavier University earn a median of $55,045 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,614 to complete this degree.
See the full fine arts program report for Xavier University
Students looking for a strong fine arts program will find one at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #4. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 52 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $33,265 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
More information about a degree in fine arts from Indiana University Bloomington
Students looking for a strong fine arts program will find one at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 36 fine arts degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $27,114 in the first couple years of their career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,128 in student loans.
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University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #6 position for fine arts this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 38 fine arts degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $28,669 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,356.
See the full fine arts program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Oberlin College came in at #7 for fine arts this year. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. Oberlin College awarded about 29 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Oberlin College earn around $25,146 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
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Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #8 for fine arts this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis awarded about 76 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn around $27,595 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete this degree.
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University Of Wisconsin Stout came in at #9 for fine arts this year. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. University Of Wisconsin Stout graduates 55% of students within six years. About 15 fine arts degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Stout in the most recent year. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $30,077 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Stout graduates carry a median of $25,821 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fine arts from University Of Wisconsin Stout
Northern Illinois University earned the #10 position for fine arts this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 53 fine arts degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $26,795 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,781.
Read more about the fine arts program at Northern Illinois University
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best fine arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 fine arts degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $21,954 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in fine arts from University Of Illinois At Chicago
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for fine arts this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 41 fine arts degrees were awarded at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $31,128 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in fine arts from Bowling Green State University Main Campus
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best fine arts schools. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $38,585. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the fine arts program at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #14 spot for fine arts this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 47 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $29,431. Students borrow a median of $28,943 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in fine arts from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for fine arts this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 29 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $29,756 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
See the full fine arts program report for Ohio University Main Campus
Grand Valley State University landed the #16 spot for fine arts this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Allendale. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 72 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Grand Valley State University in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $24,135 early in their careers. Grand Valley State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fine arts from Grand Valley State University
Bradley University earned the #17 position for fine arts this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Peoria. Bradley University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 12 fine arts degrees were awarded at Bradley University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Bradley University earn around $54,513 in the first couple years of their career. Bradley University graduates carry a median of $26,380 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fine arts from Bradley University
Michigan State University came in at #18 for fine arts this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Michigan State University earn around $19,566 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $30,875 to complete this degree.
See the full fine arts program report for Michigan State University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #19 position for fine arts this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates 60% of students within six years. Southern Illinois University Carbondale awarded about 42 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $33,285 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the fine arts program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Indiana University Southeast placed #20 among the best fine arts schools. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. Indiana University Southeast graduates 39% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Southeast in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Indiana University Southeast earn around $31,194 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,942 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in fine arts from Indiana University Southeast
Columbia College Chicago placed #21 among the best fine arts schools. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia College Chicago awarded about 41 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $22,765 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in fine arts from Columbia College Chicago
Indiana University Northwest earned the #22 position for fine arts this year. Set in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Northwest in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Indiana University Northwest generally make around $48,925. Typical student debt for the program is $26,434.
See the full fine arts program report for Indiana University Northwest
Ferris State University landed the #23 spot for fine arts this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 fine arts degrees were awarded at Ferris State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Ferris State University earn around $24,540 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full fine arts details for Ferris State University
Kent State University At Kent landed the #24 spot for fine arts this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 61 fine arts degrees were awarded at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $19,138 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,501 to complete this degree.
See the full fine arts program report for Kent State University At Kent
Youngstown State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best fine arts schools. This large public university is located in the city of Youngstown. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 33 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Youngstown State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Youngstown State University earn around $29,203 in the first couple years of their career. Youngstown State University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans.
Read more about the fine arts program at Youngstown State University
Rest of the Top 37 Fine Arts Schools
These schools also placed among the best for fine arts this year:
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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 · 37 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.