2027 Best Fine Arts Schools in the Southwest Region
Fine Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 schools to find the best for fine arts students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Fine Arts in the Southwest 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 fine arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Fine Arts
Southern Methodist University tops our 2027 ranking of the best fine arts schools. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 21 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $38,154 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fine arts from Southern Methodist University
The University Of Texas At Austin is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #2 spot this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 52 fine arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $25,927 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,057 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in fine arts from The University Of Texas At Austin
A rank of #3 makes Baylor University one of the top schools for fine arts. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Baylor University awarded about 16 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $49,888. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
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A rank of #4 makes University Of Arizona one of the top schools for fine arts. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. University Of Arizona awarded about 87 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $29,893 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,290 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in fine arts from University Of Arizona
University Of North Texas is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in fine arts, ranking #5. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. About 61% of students finish within six years. University Of North Texas awarded about 152 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $25,211 early in their careers. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans.
Read more about the fine arts program at University Of North Texas
University Of Tulsa earned the #6 position for fine arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Tulsa. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Tulsa awarded about 10 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $62,482 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,638.
Read more about the fine arts program at University Of Tulsa
Northern Arizona University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best fine arts schools. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Northern Arizona University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $24,172. Typical student debt for the program is $18,665.
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University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #8 among the best fine arts schools. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 42 fine arts degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $27,218. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in fine arts from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #9 for fine arts this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas State University San Marcos awarded about 70 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $28,445 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,928 to complete this degree.
Read more about the fine arts program at Texas State University San Marcos
Abilene Christian University earned the #10 position for fine arts this year. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. Abilene Christian University graduates 59% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Abilene Christian University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Abilene Christian University earn around $56,463 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,772.
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West Texas A And M University placed #11 among the best fine arts schools. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. West Texas A And M University graduates 48% of students within six years. West Texas A And M University awarded about 12 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from West Texas A And M University generally make around $43,515. Students borrow a median of $22,333 to complete this degree.
Read more about the fine arts program at West Texas A And M University
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best fine arts schools. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 71 fine arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $25,156 in their early career. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates carry a median of $26,562 in student loans.
Read more about the fine arts program at The University Of Texas At Arlington
University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #13 among the best fine arts schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. University Of Houston Clear Lake graduates 52% of students within six years. University Of Houston Clear Lake awarded about 53 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $25,274 in their early career. University Of Houston Clear Lake graduates carry a median of $21,369 in student loans.
See the full fine arts program report for University Of Houston Clear Lake
Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #14 spot for fine arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glendale. Glendale Community College Glendale Az awarded about 11 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete this degree.
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Lone Star College System landed the #15 spot for fine arts this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. About 23 fine arts degrees were awarded at Lone Star College System in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Lone Star College System earn around $39,954 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete this degree.
Read more about the fine arts program at Lone Star College System
Mesa Community College placed #16 among the best fine arts schools. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. About 11 fine arts degrees were awarded at Mesa Community College in the most recent year. Fine Arts graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Mesa Community College graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans.
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Oral Roberts University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best fine arts schools. Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 fine arts degrees were awarded at Oral Roberts University in the most recent year. Fine Arts graduates of Oral Roberts University earn a median of $41,180 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,022 to complete this degree.
See the full fine arts program report for Oral Roberts University
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best fine arts schools. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Texas A And M University Commerce graduates 43% of students within six years. Texas A And M University Commerce awarded about 20 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in fine arts from Texas A And M University Commerce
Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #19 position for fine arts this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Texas A And M University Kingsville graduates 42% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University Kingsville in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $44,510. Students borrow a median of $25,531 to complete this degree.
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Midwestern State University earned the #20 position for fine arts this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. About 43% of students finish within six years. About 12 fine arts degrees were awarded at Midwestern State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Midwestern State University earn around $35,589 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,415.
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Houston Baptist University placed #21 among the best fine arts schools. Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Houston Baptist University graduates 49% of students within six years. About 17 fine arts degrees were awarded at Houston Baptist University in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $57,088 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,601.
More information about a degree in fine arts from Houston Baptist University
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #22 position for fine arts this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The University Of Texas Pan American graduates 51% of students within six years. There were roughly 72 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas Pan American in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $21,891 in their early career. The University Of Texas Pan American graduates carry a median of $17,687 in student loans.
See the full fine arts program report for The University Of Texas Pan American
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #23 spot for fine arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Antonio. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates 53% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At San Antonio awarded about 49 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $23,551 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in fine arts from The University Of Texas At San Antonio
Phoenix College landed the #24 spot for fine arts this year. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. Phoenix College awarded about 10 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $51,053 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,204.
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Lamar University came in at #25 for fine arts this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. About 37% of students finish within six years. Lamar University awarded about 14 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Lamar University earn around $52,678 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,988.
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Rest of the Top 36 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 · 36 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.
