by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fine And Studio Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 72 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.
For graduate earnings in fine and studio arts, no school beat Millikin University this year. Millikin University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from Millikin University make a median of around $45,765 per year.
Taylor University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools. Located in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from Taylor University make a median of around $41,129 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Northeastern Illinois University earned it the #3 place for fine and studio arts. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of about $53,398 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Illinois State University earned it the #4 place for fine and studio arts. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a public institution. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of about $45,397 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #5 place for fine and studio arts. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,802.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a public school located in the city of Oshkosh. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh typically earn about $40,965 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #7 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public school located in the city of Eau Claire. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire make a median of around $45,142 per year.
Indiana State University earned the #8 position for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Indiana State University is a public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of about $37,919 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a public institution. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $37,056.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a public school located in the town of Platteville. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville typically earn about $35,207 annually.
Otterbein University came in at #11 for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Westerville, Otterbein University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from Otterbein University typically earn about $35,903 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #12 position for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee make a median of around $43,848 per year.
Calvin College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a private not-for-profit institution. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of Calvin College earn a median of about $35,350 a year early in their careers.
University Of Southern Indiana landed the #14 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a public institution. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,544.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #15 position for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington typically earn about $42,578 annually.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #16 position for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale typically earn about $36,135 annually.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #17 for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of about $39,113 a year early in their careers.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of about $41,781 a year early in their careers.
Beloit College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools. Beloit College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Beloit. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $34,069.
Ball State University came in at #20 for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a public institution. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from Ball State University typically earn about $42,441 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #21 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,038.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #22 for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus make a median of around $40,407 per year.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #23 position for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Eastern Michigan University is a public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University typically earn about $40,678 annually.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #24 for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public school located in the city of Indianapolis. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis typically earn about $41,978 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #25 for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public institution. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of about $44,175 a year early in their careers.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning fine and studio arts graduates:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their fine and studio arts graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 72 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.