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2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region

244 Ranked Colleges
4,583 Degrees Awarded
$30,700 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 37,413 people earned their degree in fine and studio arts, making the major the 31st most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, fine and studio arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $25,051 and had an average of $25,492 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 4,583 fine and studio arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $24,359 and $26,991 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region” ranking analyzed 244 colleges that offered a degree in fine and studio arts. That schools that top this list have a program in fine and studio arts in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region”.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Fine & Studio Arts in the Great Lakes Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend School of the Art Institute of Chicago. The school came in at #1 for the Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region. School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 708 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Fine & Studio Arts at School of the Art Institute of Chicago

2
Carnbrook Academy crest
Cranbrook Academy of Art
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Out of the 244 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Cranbrook Academy of Art landed the #2 spot on the list. Carnbrook Academy is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The school has a small population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Fine & Studio Arts at Carnbrook Academy

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Cleveland Institute of Art. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region list. CIA is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school has a small population, and it awarded 43 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Fine & Studio Arts at CIA

4

Out of the 244 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design landed the #4 spot on the list. MIAD is a private not-for-profit institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 38 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Fine & Studio Arts Report

5
The Academy crest
American Academy of Art
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend American Academy of Art. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region list. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 7 ’s Fine Arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Fine & Studio Arts at American Academy of Art

6
AAC crest
Art Academy of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio

Art Academy of Cincinnati did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified ’s Fine Arts students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Fine & Studio Arts at Art Academy of Cincinnati

7
Principia crest
Principia College
Elsah, Illinois

Principia College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Elsah, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 9 degrees to qualified ’s Fine Arts students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Fine & Studio Arts at Principia

8

Columbus College of Art and Design did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #8. CCAD is a small school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 15 ’s Fine Arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Fine & Studio Arts at Columbus College of Art and Design

9
Northern Michigan University crest
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, Michigan

With a ranking of #9, Northern Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Northern Michigan University is located in Marquette, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 76 ’s Fine Arts degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Fine & Studio Arts at Northern Michigan University

10
Knox crest
Knox College
Galesburg, Illinois

Knox College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #10. Galesburg, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s Fine Arts degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Fine & Studio Arts at Knox

11
Earlham crest
Earlham College
Richmond, Indiana

With a ranking of #11, Earlham College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Richmond, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 11 degrees to qualified ’s Fine Arts students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Fine & Studio Arts at Earlham

12
Oberlin crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, Ohio

Oberlin College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Oberlin, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 33 degrees to qualified ’s Fine Arts students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Fine & Studio Arts at Oberlin

13
Kenyon crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, Ohio

Kenyon College ranked #13 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Kenyon College is a small school located in Gambier, Ohio that handed out 15 ’s Fine Arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Fine & Studio Arts at Kenyon College

14
EIU crest
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. EIU is a medium-sized public school situated in Charleston, Illinois. It awarded 73 ’s Fine Arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Fine & Studio Arts at Eastern Illinois University

15
Ripon crest
Ripon College
Ripon, Wisconsin

Ripon College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Ripon is a small school located in Ripon, Wisconsin that handed out 7 ’s Fine Arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Ripon College Fine & Studio Arts Report

16
PFW crest
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana

With a ranking of #16, Purdue University Fort Wayne did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region list. PFW is a medium-sized school located in Fort Wayne, Indiana that handed out 52 ’s Fine Arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Fine & Studio Arts at Purdue University Fort Wayne

17
Shawnee State University crest
Shawnee State University
Portsmouth, Ohio

Shawnee State University ranked #17 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Shawnee State University is located in Portsmouth, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 25 ’s Fine Arts degrees to qualified students.

Full Shawnee State University Fine & Studio Arts Report

18

Ohio Wesleyan University ranked #18 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Delaware, Ohio, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified ’s Fine Arts students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Fine & Studio Arts at OWU

19
SMC crest
Southwestern Michigan College
Dowagiac, Michigan

Southwestern Michigan College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Dowagiac, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s Fine Arts degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Fine & Studio Arts at Southwestern Michigan College

20
Franklin College of Indiana crest
Franklin College
Franklin, Indiana

Franklin College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Franklin College of Indiana is located in Franklin, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s Fine Arts degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Franklin College of Indiana Fine & Studio Arts Report

21

The College of Wooster ranked #21 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region list. The College of Wooster is located in Wooster, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s Fine Arts degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read more about Fine & Studio Arts at Wooster College

22
Lawrence U crest
Lawrence University
Appleton, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #22, Lawrence University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Lawrence University is a small school located in Appleton, Wisconsin that handed out 11 ’s Fine Arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Fine & Studio Arts at Lawrence University

23
Beloit crest
Beloit College
Beloit, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #23, Beloit College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region list. Beloit is a small school located in Beloit, Wisconsin that handed out 10 ’s Fine Arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Beloit College Fine & Studio Arts Report

24
Lake Forest crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, Illinois

Lake Forest College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lake Forest, Illinois. It awarded 14 ’s Fine Arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Lake Forest Fine & Studio Arts Report

25
Wabash crest
Wabash College
Crawfordsville, Indiana

Wabash College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #25. Wabash is a small school located in Crawfordsville, Indiana that handed out 6 ’s Fine Arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Wabash Fine & Studio Arts Report

Rest of the Best 37 in Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major in the Great Lakes Region

Not only did these schools make the top 37 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
Holy Cross College crest
Holy Cross College
Notre Dame, Indiana
27
Denison crest
Denison University
Granville, Ohio
28
29
Wittenberg crest
Wittenberg University
Springfield, Ohio
30
Otterbein crest
Otterbein University
Westerville, Ohio
31
WLC crest
Wisconsin Lutheran College
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
32
Alma crest
Alma College
Alma, Michigan
33
Aquinas College Michigan crest
Aquinas College Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
34
Columbia crest
Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
35
Hillsdale College crest
Hillsdale College
Hillsdale, Michigan
36
Marietta crest
Marietta College
Marietta, Ohio
37
SMWC crest
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Saint Mary of the Woods, Indiana

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References

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