2027 Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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.
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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.
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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
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
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
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
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
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.
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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
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
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
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.
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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
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
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.
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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
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
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.
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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
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
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:
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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.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.