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 9 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.
For graduate earnings in fine and studio arts, no school beat Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University this year. 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.
Strong graduate earnings at James Madison University earned it the #2 place for fine and studio arts. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a public institution. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of James Madison University earn a median of about $50,618 a year early in their careers.
College Of William And Mary came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying fine and studio arts schools. College Of William And Mary is a public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Fine And Studio Arts graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of about $52,022 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in fine and studio arts will find them at Old Dominion University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a public institution. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,327.
Students chasing top earnings in fine and studio arts will find them at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #5. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Students who complete the fine and studio arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,334.
University Of Mary Washington landed the #6 spot for fine and studio arts salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a public institution. Early-career fine and studio arts graduates from University Of Mary Washington make a median of around $42,236 per year.
Mary Baldwin College came in at #7 for fine and studio arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College 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 $29,998.
Radford University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a public institution. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from Radford University typically earn about $39,440 annually.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for fine and studio arts. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. After graduating, fine and studio arts degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University typically earn about $38,214 annually.
This list is compiled 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 · 9 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.