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 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 100 schools on the early-career earnings of their fine and studio arts graduates.
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.
Vanderbilt University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid fine and studio arts graduates in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $83,742 a year early in their careers.
Wake Forest University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in fine and studio arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of about $61,144 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in fine and studio arts will find them at University Of Miami, which ranked #3. University Of Miami is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from University Of Miami make a median of around $51,141 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Tulane University Of Louisiana earned it the #4 place for fine and studio arts. Tulane University Of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of about $43,430 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University one of the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of about $50,147 a year early in their careers.
University Of New Orleans landed the #6 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. University Of New Orleans is a public school located in the city of New Orleans. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of about $41,517 a year early in their careers.
University Of Georgia earned the #7 position for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. University Of Georgia is a public school located in the city of Athens. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from University Of Georgia make a median of around $51,345 per year.
James Madison University landed the #8 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. James Madison University is a public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from James Madison University typically earn about $50,618 annually.
University Of Kentucky earned the #9 position for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from University Of Kentucky make a median of around $39,370 per year.
College Of William And Mary landed the #10 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a public institution. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,022.
Auburn University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools. Auburn University is a public school located in the city of Auburn. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,393.
University Of North Florida placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a public institution. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from University Of North Florida typically earn about $44,769 annually.
University Of South Carolina Upstate ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a public institution. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of about $38,311 a year early in their careers.
Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #14 position for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $36,374.
Kennesaw State University came in at #15 for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a public institution. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from Kennesaw State University typically earn about $34,990 annually.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville earned the #16 position for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a public school located in the city of Huntsville. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $35,123.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a public institution. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Birmingham typically earn about $41,015 annually.
Shepherd University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools. Shepherd University is a public school located in the rural area of Shepherdstown. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from Shepherd University make a median of around $37,624 per year.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #19 position for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University typically earn about $43,459 annually.
Athens State University earned the #20 position for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Athens, Athens State University is a public institution. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from Athens State University typically earn about $29,822 annually.
Union University earned the #21 position for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Jackson, Union 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 $34,300.
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools. Set in the city of Little Rock, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a public institution. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from University Of Arkansas At Little Rock typically earn about $38,965 annually.
Florida Atlantic University placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Florida Atlantic University is a public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from Florida Atlantic University make a median of around $41,690 per year.
Nicholls State University placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Set in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a public institution. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $33,877.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #25 position for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Northern Kentucky University is a public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of about $37,053 a year early in their careers.
These schools also send fine and studio arts graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
This ranking is produced 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 · 100 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.
