2026 Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in Virginia
Fine & Studio Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 36 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best fine & studio arts schools.
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Best Schools for Fine & Studio Arts in Virginia
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
Our analysis ranked James Madison University the best school in the country for a degree in fine & studio arts. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 142 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $33,501 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,001 to complete this degree.
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University Of Richmond came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of Richmond in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $53,815 in their early career. University Of Richmond graduates carry a median of $21,634 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from University Of Richmond
College Of William And Mary is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. College Of William And Mary graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $29,752. Students borrow a median of $18,935 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #4 makes Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University one of the top schools for fine & studio arts. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 60 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $36,927 in their early career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $26,323 in student loans.
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University Of Virginia Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 27 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $23,372 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
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George Mason University earned the #6 position for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. George Mason University awarded about 18 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from George Mason University earn around $63,131 in the first couple years of their career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans.
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University Of Mary Washington ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Set in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public institution. University Of Mary Washington graduates 66% of students within six years. University Of Mary Washington awarded about 25 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $24,013. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
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Virginia Commonwealth University placed #8 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 92 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $20,934 in their early career. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $23,374 in student loans.
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Northern Virginia Community College came in at #9 for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. About 112 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Typical student debt for the program is $14,413.
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Old Dominion University placed #10 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 55 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $27,535 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000.
More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Old Dominion University
Radford University came in at #11 for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. About 41 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Radford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $23,308. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
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Hollins University came in at #12 for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of Roanoke, Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Hollins University awarded about 19 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Hollins University earn a median of $26,798 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Norfolk State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. There were roughly 25 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Norfolk State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $54,971 in their early career.
More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Norfolk State University
Thomas Nelson Community College came in at #14 for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 12 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Thomas Nelson Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $36,758 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,402 to complete this degree.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 36 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.