by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fine And Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their fine and studio arts graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the early-career earnings of their fine and studio arts graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose fine and studio arts graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo the top school for fine and studio arts graduate earnings in California. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $87,876 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes San Jose State University one of the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. San Jose State University is a public school located in the city of San Jose. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from San Jose State University make a median of around $56,424 per year.
University Of Southern California produces some of the highest-paid graduates in fine and studio arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,391.
Students chasing top earnings in fine and studio arts will find them at University Of Redlands, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a private not-for-profit institution. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of University Of Redlands earn a median of about $53,394 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Azusa Pacific University earned it the #5 place for fine and studio arts. Azusa Pacific University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University typically earn about $51,399 annually.
Mills College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools. Located in the city of Oakland, Mills College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,986.
University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #7 position for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from University Of California Santa Barbara make a median of around $48,583 per year.
Occidental College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools. Occidental College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from Occidental College typically earn about $47,894 annually.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #9 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a public school located in the city of Carson. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills typically earn about $45,469 annually.
California State University Monterey Bay landed the #10 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. California State University Monterey Bay is a public school located in the suburb of Seaside. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of about $43,249 a year early in their careers.
Loyola Marymount University landed the #11 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from Loyola Marymount University make a median of around $65,224 per year.
California State University East Bay placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a public institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from California State University East Bay make a median of around $54,563 per year.
University Of San Francisco came in at #13 for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from University Of San Francisco typically earn about $36,545 annually.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #14 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of about $58,001 a year early in their careers.
Academy Of Art University landed the #15 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, Academy Of Art University is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $33,830.
California State University Northridge placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. California State University Northridge is a public school located in the city of Northridge. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from California State University Northridge typically earn about $45,572 annually.
Sonoma State University earned the #17 position for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Sonoma State University is a public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,954.
Biola University earned the #18 position for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from Biola University make a median of around $43,209 per year.
University Of California Davis came in at #19 for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a public institution. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of about $46,486 a year early in their careers.
California State University Fullerton ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a public institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from California State University Fullerton make a median of around $46,226 per year.
California State University Channel Islands placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Located in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a public institution. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,275.
California State University Chico landed the #22 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a public institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from California State University Chico make a median of around $44,754 per year.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #23 for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school located in the city of Los Angeles. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles typically earn about $46,122 annually.
University Of California San Diego earned the #24 position for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from University Of California San Diego make a median of around $45,044 per year.
San Diego State University came in at #25 for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a public institution. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from San Diego State University typically earn about $40,935 annually.
These schools also send fine and studio arts graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries fine and studio arts graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 40 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.