Painting degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best painting schools.
The painting program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best Painting Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Painting School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Painting Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
University Of Houston is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in painting. This very large public university is located in the city of Houston. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 22 painting degrees were awarded at University Of Houston in the most recent year. Graduates of the painting program make about $26,482 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,845.
More information about a degree in painting from University Of Houston
Students looking for a strong painting program will find one at Boston University, which ranked #2. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. About 89% of students finish within six years. Boston University awarded about 22 painting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their painting degree from Boston University earn around $27,226 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the painting program at Boston University
A rank of #3 makes Virginia Commonwealth University one of the top schools for painting. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 painting students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Painting graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $20,934 early in their careers. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $23,374 in student loans.
Read more about the painting program at Virginia Commonwealth University
Temple University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in painting, ranking #4. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 painting students who graduated with this degree at Temple University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $24,558. Temple University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
See the full painting program report for Temple University
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in painting, ranking #5. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Boston. About 69% of students finish within six years. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design awarded about 13 painting degrees in the most recent data year. Painting graduates of Massachusetts College Of Art And Design earn a median of $38,090 early in their careers. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
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Pratt Institute Main came in at #6 for painting this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. Pratt Institute Main awarded about 73 painting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their painting degree from Pratt Institute Main earn around $25,616 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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Rhode Island School Of Design earned the #7 position for painting this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rhode Island School Of Design awarded about 52 painting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the painting program make about $22,396 in their early career. Rhode Island School Of Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Maryland Institute College Of Art earned the #8 position for painting this year. Maryland Institute College Of Art is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 45 painting students who graduated with this degree at Maryland Institute College Of Art in the most recent data year. Painting graduates of Maryland Institute College Of Art earn a median of $25,693 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full painting program report for Maryland Institute College Of Art
Savannah College Of Art And Design came in at #9 for painting this year. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 92 painting students who graduated with this degree at Savannah College Of Art And Design in the most recent data year. Students who receive their painting degree from Savannah College Of Art And Design earn around $30,812 in the first couple years of their career. Savannah College Of Art And Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full painting program report for Savannah College Of Art And Design
State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #10 for painting this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of New Paltz. About 72% of students finish within six years. State University Of New York At New Paltz awarded about 14 painting degrees in the most recent data year. Painting graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $18,842 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,562.
Read more about the painting program at State University Of New York At New Paltz
Suny At Purchase College earned the #11 position for painting this year. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 painting degrees were awarded at Suny At Purchase College in the most recent year. Graduates of the painting program make about $14,984 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,850.
See the full painting program report for Suny At Purchase College
Kansas City Art Institute ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best painting schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Art Institute is a small private not-for-profit institution. Kansas City Art Institute graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 painting students who graduated with this degree at Kansas City Art Institute in the most recent data year. Painting graduates of Kansas City Art Institute earn a median of $22,906 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the painting program at Kansas City Art Institute
Maine College Of Art came in at #13 for painting this year. Maine College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Maine College Of Art awarded about 14 painting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Maine College Of Art generally make around $27,255. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in painting from Maine College Of Art
Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best painting schools. Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 16 painting students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts in the most recent data year. Painting graduates of Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts earn a median of $17,887 early in their careers. Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans.
Get the full painting details for Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts
Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico came in at #15 for painting this year. Located in the city of San Juan, Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico is a small public university. Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico graduates 45% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 painting students who graduated with this degree at Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico in the most recent data year. Graduates of the painting program make about $7,453 in their early career.
More information about a degree in painting from Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico
This list is compiled 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 · 15 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).
