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2027 Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in Illinois

20 Colleges in the United States
1,469 Fine & Studio Arts Degrees Awarded
$36,312 Avg Early-Career Salary

Fine & Studio Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their fine & studio arts programs.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 20 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 Illinois

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.

Top Schools in Fine & Studio Arts

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Chicago the best school in the country for a degree in fine & studio arts. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 20 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent 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

2

A rank of #2 makes Illinois State University one of the top schools for fine & studio arts. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 122 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University 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. See the full fine & studio arts program report for Illinois State University

3

Loyola University Chicago came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 12 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $58,568. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Loyola University Chicago

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 47 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $28,669 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $21,356 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

5

Eastern Illinois University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #5 spot this year. 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. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $40,891 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Eastern Illinois University

6

Northern Illinois University ranked #6 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. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 75 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $26,795 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,781 to complete this degree. See the full fine & studio arts program report for Northern Illinois University

7

University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #7 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. 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

8

Saint Xavier University placed #8 among the best fine & studio arts schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 11 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Saint Xavier University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Saint Xavier University earn around $51,753 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Xavier University graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Saint Xavier University

9
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #9 for fine & studio arts this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 20 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Depaul University earn around $27,291 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,999. Get the full fine & studio arts details for Depaul University

10
Knox College crest
Knox College
Galesburg, IL

Knox College earned the #10 position for fine & studio arts this year. Knox College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Galesburg. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Knox College awarded about 10 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Knox College generally make around $27,822. Typical student debt for the program is $26,420. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Knox College

11

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #11 for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 22% of students finish within six years. About 11 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Northeastern Illinois University earn around $30,845 in the first couple years of their career. Northeastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $20,319 in student loans. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Northeastern Illinois University

12

Bradley University landed the #12 spot for fine & studio arts this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Bradley University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Bradley University earn around $54,513 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,380. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Bradley University

13

Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #13 position for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. Southern Illinois University Carbondale awarded about 42 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $33,285. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500. See the full fine & studio arts program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale

14
Governors State University crest
Governors State University
University Park, IL

Governors State University placed #14 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 21% of students finish within six years. Governors State University awarded about 17 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $51,711 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,990. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Governors State University

15

Columbia College Chicago came in at #15 for fine & studio arts this year. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbia College Chicago awarded about 55 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Columbia College Chicago earn around $22,765 in the first couple years of their career. Columbia College Chicago graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Columbia College Chicago

16

Western Illinois University placed #16 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. There were roughly 18 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Western Illinois University in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $26,196 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full fine & studio arts details for Western Illinois University

17

School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 802 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $24,253 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago

18

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 53 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $25,259 early in their careers. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $27,280 in student loans. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

19

Olivet Nazarene University came in at #19 for fine & studio arts this year. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 14 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Olivet Nazarene University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Olivet Nazarene University earn around $16,290 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full fine & studio arts details for Olivet Nazarene University

20
Parkland College crest
Parkland College
Champaign, IL

Parkland College came in at #20 for fine & studio arts this year. Parkland College is a large public school located in the city of Champaign. About 11 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Parkland College in the most recent year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $40,409 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,168 to complete this degree. See the full fine & studio arts program report for Parkland College

View All Fine & Studio Arts Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 20 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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