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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the early-career earnings of their fine and studio arts graduates.
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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 Vanderbilt University the top school for fine and studio arts graduate earnings in Tennessee. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of about $83,742 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Middle Tennessee State University one of the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from Middle Tennessee State University make a median of around $43,459 per year.
A rank of #3 makes Union University one of the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Union University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jackson. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $34,300.
Students chasing top earnings in fine and studio arts will find them at University Of Memphis, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a public institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from University Of Memphis make a median of around $41,028 per year.
The University Of Tennessee produces some of the highest-paid graduates in fine and studio arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of about $38,246 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a public institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga make a median of around $40,776 per year.
Austin Peay State University landed the #7 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. Austin Peay State University is a public school located in the city of Clarksville. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,352.
Tennessee Technological University earned the #8 position for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a public institution. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $39,208.
Lee University landed the #9 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of Lee University earn a median of about $26,598 a year early in their careers.
East Tennessee State University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a public institution. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of about $26,651 a year early in their careers.
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 · 10 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.