Fine & Studio Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their fine & studio arts programs.
College Factual analyzed 702 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best fine & studio arts schools.
The fine & studio arts program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Fine & Studio Arts School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Fine & Studio Arts in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the fine & studio arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Dartmouth College tops our 2027 ranking of the best fine & studio arts schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Hanover. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Dartmouth College earn around $30,246 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,663.
Get the full fine & studio arts details for Dartmouth College
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 201 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $31,367 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,319.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Stanford University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. About 25 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans.
Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Stanford University
Vanderbilt University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 19 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $77,997 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for Vanderbilt University
Students looking for a strong fine & studio arts program will find one at University Of Chicago, which ranked #5. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for University Of Chicago
Santa Clara University came in at #6 for fine & studio arts this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. Santa Clara University awarded about 17 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $79,380 early in their careers. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans.
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Georgetown University landed the #7 spot for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $79,632. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for Georgetown University
Wake Forest University came in at #8 for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. About 12 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Wake Forest University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $67,369. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577.
Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Wake Forest University
Gonzaga University placed #9 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Gonzaga University graduates 86% of students within six years. About 12 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Gonzaga University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Gonzaga University earn around $58,733 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete this degree.
Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Gonzaga University
Harvard University came in at #10 for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. Harvard University awarded about 30 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $95,207 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Harvard University
Duke University came in at #11 for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $83,388 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree.
Get the full fine & studio arts details for Duke University
James Madison University landed the #12 spot for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 137 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $33,501 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,001.
More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from James Madison University
Wellesley College earned the #13 position for fine & studio arts this year. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. Wellesley College graduates 92% of students within six years. Wellesley College awarded about 10 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $48,902 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,075.
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Boston College landed the #14 spot for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Boston College awarded about 14 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $66,132 in their early career. Boston College graduates carry a median of $18,101 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Boston College
Wesleyan University came in at #15 for fine & studio arts this year. Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Middletown. Wesleyan University graduates 93% of students within six years. About 39 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Wesleyan University earn around $39,764 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete this degree.
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Carleton College placed #16 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. Carleton College graduates 90% of students within six years. Carleton College awarded about 10 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Carleton College generally make around $45,096. Carleton College graduates carry a median of $17,566 in student loans.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for Carleton College
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #17 position for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 92 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $32,031. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #18 among the best fine & studio arts schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 169 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $25,947. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $13,667 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Brandeis University earned the #19 position for fine & studio arts this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waltham. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 15 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Brandeis University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Brandeis University earn around $47,783 in the first couple years of their career. Brandeis University graduates carry a median of $25,653 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Brandeis University
University Of San Diego placed #20 among the best fine & studio arts schools. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 18 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of San Diego in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $68,281. Typical student debt for the program is $23,795.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for University Of San Diego
Illinois State University earned the #21 position for fine & studio arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Illinois State University awarded about 122 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $35,967 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,125.
Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Illinois State University
Sacred Heart University earned the #22 position for fine & studio arts this year. Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Sacred Heart University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Sacred Heart University earn around $62,864 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,831.
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The College Of New Jersey earned the #23 position for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public university. The College Of New Jersey graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 73 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $33,214 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full fine & studio arts details for The College Of New Jersey
University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #24 position for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. About 115 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $45,488 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,978 to complete this degree.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
San Jose State University earned the #25 position for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 227 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year.
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Rest of the Top 50 Fine & Studio Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fine & studio arts ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 702 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
