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 highest-paying schools turn a fine and studio arts degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools.
What’s on this page:
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 University Of Michigan Ann Arbor the top school for fine and studio arts graduate earnings in Michigan. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,802.
Calvin College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools. Located 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.
Students chasing top earnings in fine and studio arts will find them at Eastern Michigan University, which ranked #3. Eastern Michigan University is a public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from Eastern Michigan University make a median of around $40,678 per year.
Northern Michigan University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in fine and studio arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Northern Michigan University is a public school located in the town of Marquette. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of about $41,077 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Grand Valley State University earned it the #5 place for fine and studio arts. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from Grand Valley State University make a median of around $38,662 per year.
Ferris State University came in at #6 for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a public institution. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $35,717.
Michigan State University landed the #7 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a public institution. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,016.
Delta College placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Delta College is a public school located in the rural area of University Center. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from Delta College make a median of around $23,940 per year.
Wayne State University landed the #9 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. Wayne State University is a public school located in the city of Detroit. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from Wayne State University typically earn about $40,450 annually.
Cranbrook Academy Of Art placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Located in the suburb of Bloomfield Hills, Cranbrook Academy Of Art is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from Cranbrook Academy Of Art make a median of around $45,058 per year.
Saginaw Valley State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a public institution. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $28,289.
Oakland University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a public institution. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $31,247.
Central Michigan University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a public institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from Central Michigan University make a median of around $35,717 per year.
Western Michigan University landed the #14 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a public institution. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of about $21,773 a year early in their careers.
This ranking is produced 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 · 14 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.