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.
College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose fine and studio arts graduates go on to earn the most.
Wellesley College tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools in Massachusetts. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from Wellesley College make a median of around $63,391 per year.
A rank of #2 makes Northeastern University one of the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University 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 $49,358.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a public school located in the suburb of Lowell. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell typically earn about $63,880 annually.
Williams College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a private not-for-profit institution. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of Williams College earn a median of about $60,801 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes Suffolk University one of the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Set in the city of Boston, Suffolk University 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 $44,029.
Gordon College came in at #6 for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from Gordon College make a median of around $41,846 per year.
Lesley University landed the #7 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University 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 $38,437.
University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a public institution. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $37,030.
Westfield State University came in at #9 for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Westfield State University is a public school located in the suburb of Westfield. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from Westfield State University make a median of around $42,027 per year.
Bridgewater State University earned the #10 position for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Bridgewater State University is a public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,680.
Wheaton College Massachusetts earned the #11 position for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Norton, Wheaton College Massachusetts is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from Wheaton College Massachusetts typically earn about $44,139 annually.
Holyoke Community College landed the #12 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. Holyoke Community College is a public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $29,261.
Salem State University landed the #13 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a public institution. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from Salem State University typically earn about $44,271 annually.
Boston University landed the #14 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from Boston University make a median of around $56,132 per year.
Framingham State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools. Framingham State University is a public school located in the city of Framingham. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from Framingham State University typically earn about $28,843 annually.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #16 for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public school located in the city of Amherst. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of about $43,749 a year early in their careers.
Smith College earned the #17 position for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from Smith College typically earn about $38,376 annually.
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design landed the #18 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a public school located in the city of Boston. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from Massachusetts College Of Art And Design make a median of around $34,716 per year.
Montserrat College Of Art landed the #19 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Beverly, Montserrat College Of Art is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from Montserrat College Of Art make a median of around $33,327 per year.
Tufts University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University 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 $35,972.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #21 position for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a public institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth make a median of around $23,214 per year.
Bard College At Simons Rock landed the #22 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. Bard College At Simons Rock is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Great Barrington. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of Bard College At Simons Rock earn a median of about $19,327 a year early in their careers.
Mount Holyoke College placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Set in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College typically earn about $18,420 annually.
This list is compiled 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 · 23 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.