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2027 Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region

83 Colleges in the United States
3,675 Fine & Studio Arts Degrees Awarded
$32,195 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 83 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for fine & studio arts students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Fine & Studio Arts in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall fine & studio arts education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Fine & Studio Arts

1

Leading the list is University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, our #1 school for fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. 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. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $31,367 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,319. Get the full fine & studio arts details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

2

University Of Chicago came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. 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. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Chicago

3

A rank of #3 makes Illinois State University one of the top schools for fine & studio arts. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 122 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Illinois State University earn around $35,967 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,125 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Illinois State University

4

Students looking for a strong fine & studio arts program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 187 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $30,719 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $19,316 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from University Of Wisconsin Madison

5
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in fine & studio arts, ranking #5. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cincinnati. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Xavier University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $55,045 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,614. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Xavier University

6
Kenyon College crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College landed the #6 spot for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Kenyon College awarded about 22 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $23,082 in their early career. Kenyon College graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Kenyon College

7

Indiana University Bloomington placed #7 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 94 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $33,265 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Indiana University Bloomington

8
Denison University crest
Denison University
Granville, OH

Denison University earned the #8 position for fine & studio arts this year. Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Granville. About 79% of students finish within six years. Denison University awarded about 12 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Denison University generally make around $39,797. Typical student debt for the program is $25,360. See the full fine & studio arts program report for Denison University

9
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #9 for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 42 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $27,114 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,128. See the full fine & studio arts program report for Purdue University Main Campus

10

Loyola University Chicago earned the #10 position for fine & studio arts this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Loyola University Chicago

11

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 115 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $29,186 early in their careers. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,849 in student loans. See the full fine & studio arts program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

12

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #12 spot for fine & studio arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 47 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $28,669 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,356 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

13

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #13 position for fine & studio arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Eau Claire. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 47 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $34,582. Typical student debt for the program is $25,371. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

14
Kalamazoo College crest
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo College earned the #14 position for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Kalamazoo College in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $37,374 in their early career. Kalamazoo College graduates carry a median of $26,118 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Kalamazoo College

15
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College came in at #15 for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Oberlin College awarded about 39 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Oberlin College earn around $25,146 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. See the full fine & studio arts program report for Oberlin College

16

Ball State University landed the #16 spot for fine & studio arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Muncie. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 39 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Ball State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Ball State University earn around $28,405 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,637. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Ball State University

17

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #17 for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis awarded about 82 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $27,595 early in their careers. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

18

University Of Wisconsin Stout landed the #18 spot for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 15 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Stout in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $30,077 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,821. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Wisconsin Stout

19

Eastern Illinois University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. This large public university is located in the town of Charleston. Eastern Illinois University graduates 47% of students within six years. Eastern Illinois University awarded about 73 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Eastern Illinois University earn around $40,891 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full fine & studio arts details for Eastern Illinois University

20

Miami University Oxford landed the #20 spot for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Miami University Oxford awarded about 26 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Miami University Oxford earn around $24,912 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Miami University Oxford

21

Northern Illinois University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. About 49% of students finish within six years. Northern Illinois University awarded about 75 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $26,795 early in their careers. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $25,781 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Northern Illinois University

22

University Of Mount Union ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Located in the town of Alliance, University Of Mount Union is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of Mount Union in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Mount Union generally make around $52,058. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete this degree. Get the full fine & studio arts details for University Of Mount Union

23

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 42 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $21,954. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

24

University Of Wisconsin Platteville placed #24 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 12 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Platteville in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn around $37,379 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,677. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Wisconsin Platteville

25

Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #25 for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Bowling Green State University Main Campus awarded about 44 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $31,128 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full fine & studio arts program report for Bowling Green State University Main Campus

Rest of the Top 50 Fine & Studio Arts Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong fine & studio arts education:

26
27
University Of Indianapolis crest
University Of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN
28
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
29
Knox College crest
Knox College
Galesburg, IL
30
31
32
Lawrence University crest
Lawrence University
Appleton, WI
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
43
44
45
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL
46
47
48
Saginaw Valley State University crest
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI
49
50

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 83 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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