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. The highest-paying schools turn a fine and studio arts degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools.
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If you want to know which schools send fine and studio arts graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Millikin University the top school for fine and studio arts graduate earnings in Illinois. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from Millikin University make a median of around $45,765 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in fine and studio arts will find them at Northeastern Illinois University, which ranked #2. Located 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 #3 place for fine and studio arts. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a public institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from Illinois State University make a median of around $45,397 per year.
A rank of #4 makes Eastern Illinois University one of the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a public institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from Eastern Illinois University make a median of around $52,594 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in fine and studio arts will find them at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, which ranked #5. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public school located in the town of Carbondale. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $36,135.
North Park University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Located in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a private not-for-profit institution. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of North Park University earn a median of about $33,276 a year early in their careers.
Western Illinois University earned the #7 position for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a public institution. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,046.
Depaul University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools. Depaul University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from Depaul University make a median of around $41,040 per year.
Northern Illinois University came in at #9 for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,109.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #10 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign make a median of around $33,080 per year.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #11 for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public institution. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,018.
Columbia College Chicago landed the #12 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of about $41,142 a year early in their careers.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from University Of Illinois At Chicago make a median of around $41,311 per year.
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,607.
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #15 for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of about $43,785 a year early in their careers.
Wheaton College Illinois came in at #16 for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois typically earn about $23,202 annually.
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 · 16 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.