2027 Best Fine Arts Schools in the The Plains States Region
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.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best fine arts schools.
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Best Schools for Fine Arts in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall fine arts education in the The Plains States Region.
Top Schools in Fine Arts
Our analysis ranked Washington University In St Louis the best school in the country for a degree in fine arts. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553.
More information about a degree in fine arts from Washington University In St Louis
Augustana College South Dakota is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in fine arts, ranking #2. Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux Falls. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. About 10 fine arts degrees were awarded at Augustana College South Dakota in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Augustana College South Dakota earn around $50,088 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,217.
More information about a degree in fine arts from Augustana College South Dakota
A rank of #3 makes Fort Hays State University one of the top schools for fine arts. This large public university is located in the town of Hays. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 35 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Fort Hays State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $31,909. Fort Hays State University graduates carry a median of $22,937 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fine arts from Fort Hays State University
University Of Nebraska Lincoln is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in fine arts, ranking #4. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. About 30 fine arts degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $28,783 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in fine arts from University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Students looking for a strong fine arts program will find one at Kansas State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 35 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $28,218 early in their careers. Kansas State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fine arts from Kansas State University
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #6 spot for fine arts this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Minnesota State University Mankato awarded about 13 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Minnesota State University Mankato earn around $38,717 in the first couple years of their career. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full fine arts program report for Minnesota State University Mankato
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #7 for fine arts this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from University Of Northern Iowa earn around $24,095 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the fine arts program at University Of Northern Iowa
University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned the #8 position for fine arts this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 52 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska At Omaha in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $28,942. Typical student debt for the program is $26,202.
More information about a degree in fine arts from University Of Nebraska At Omaha
University Of Kansas ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best fine arts schools. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Kansas awarded about 32 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $22,868. Typical student debt for the program is $22,361.
Read more about the fine arts program at University Of Kansas
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #10 position for fine arts this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Saint Louis. University Of Missouri St Louis graduates 57% of students within six years. University Of Missouri St Louis awarded about 21 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $32,224. Typical student debt for the program is $28,837.
See the full fine arts program report for University Of Missouri St Louis
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best fine arts schools. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 fine arts degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from University Of Missouri Kansas City earn around $25,476 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full fine arts details for University Of Missouri Kansas City
University Of Central Missouri ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best fine arts schools. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Central Missouri awarded about 13 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from University Of Central Missouri earn around $27,236 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Central Missouri graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans.
See the full fine arts program report for University Of Central Missouri
Missouri Southern State University earned the #13 position for fine arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Joplin. Missouri Southern State University graduates 40% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Missouri Southern State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $29,309. Students borrow a median of $22,241 to complete this degree.
See the full fine arts program report for Missouri Southern State University
Washburn University landed the #14 spot for fine arts this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. About 44% of students finish within six years. Washburn University awarded about 12 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $50,955 in their early career. Washburn University graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans.
Read more about the fine arts program at Washburn University
Minneapolis College Of Art And Design landed the #15 spot for fine arts this year. Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Minneapolis College Of Art And Design graduates 51% of students within six years. Minneapolis College Of Art And Design awarded about 30 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Minneapolis College Of Art And Design generally make around $19,524. Students borrow a median of $30,250 to complete this degree.
See the full fine arts program report for Minneapolis College Of Art And Design
Wichita State University came in at #16 for fine arts this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Wichita State University graduates 51% of students within six years. Wichita State University awarded about 12 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $27,518. Wichita State University graduates carry a median of $28,150 in student loans.
Read more about the fine arts program at Wichita State University
Jefferson College landed the #17 spot for fine arts this year. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. Jefferson College awarded about 12 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $47,560 in their early career. Jefferson College graduates carry a median of $13,664 in student loans.
See the full fine arts program report for Jefferson College
East Central College placed #18 among the best fine arts schools. Located in the town of Union, East Central College is a mid-sized public university. About 14 fine arts degrees were awarded at East Central College in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $37,925 in their early career. East Central College graduates carry a median of $12,062 in student loans.
Get the full fine arts details for East Central College
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 18 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.
