2027 Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the The Plains States Region
Fine & Studio Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 44 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best fine & studio arts schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Fine & Studio Arts in the The Plains States Region
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
Carleton College tops our 2027 ranking of the best fine & studio arts schools. Located in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Carleton College graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Carleton College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $45,096 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,566.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for Carleton College
A rank of #2 makes Washington University In St Louis one of the top schools for fine & studio arts. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. About 41 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $68,303 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553.
More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Washington University In St Louis
University Of Missouri Columbia is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. About 42 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $23,034 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Missouri Columbia
A rank of #4 makes South Dakota State University one of the top schools for fine & studio arts. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at South Dakota State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $51,260. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete this degree.
Get the full fine & studio arts details for South Dakota State University
Students looking for a strong fine & studio arts program will find one at College Of Saint Benedict, which ranked #5. College Of Saint Benedict is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Joseph. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 12 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at College Of Saint Benedict in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from College Of Saint Benedict earn around $47,105 in the first couple years of their career. College Of Saint Benedict graduates carry a median of $26,619 in student loans.
Read more about the fine & studio arts program at College Of Saint Benedict
St Olaf College landed the #6 spot for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. St Olaf College graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at St Olaf College in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $26,870 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from St Olaf College
Augustana College South Dakota ranked #7 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 Sioux Falls. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. There were roughly 10 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Augustana College South Dakota in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Augustana College South Dakota earn a median of $50,088 early in their careers. Augustana College South Dakota graduates carry a median of $26,217 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Augustana College South Dakota
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #8 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 83 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $20,192. Typical student debt for the program is $23,956.
More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Nebraska At Kearney landed the #9 spot for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. University Of Nebraska At Kearney graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska At Kearney in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $47,980 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,101.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for University Of Nebraska At Kearney
Macalester College ranked #10 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 Saint Paul. Macalester College graduates 87% of students within six years. Macalester College awarded about 12 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Macalester College generally make around $42,517. Students borrow a median of $22,147 to complete this degree.
Get the full fine & studio arts details for Macalester College
Fort Hays State University landed the #11 spot for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 47 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Fort Hays State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Fort Hays State University earn around $31,909 in the first couple years of their career. Fort Hays State University graduates carry a median of $22,937 in student loans.
Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Fort Hays State University
Winona State University came in at #12 for fine & studio arts this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Winona State University awarded about 15 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $53,109 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,551 to complete this degree.
Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Winona State University
University Of Iowa landed the #13 spot for fine & studio arts this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 124 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $29,887 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for University Of Iowa
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #14 spot for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. About 34 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $28,783 in their early career. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. Gustavus Adolphus College graduates 77% of students within six years. Gustavus Adolphus College awarded about 11 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $44,396 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,197 to complete this degree.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for Gustavus Adolphus College
Lindenwood University earned the #16 position for fine & studio arts this year. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. Lindenwood University graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 77 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Lindenwood University in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,197 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,663.
More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Lindenwood University
Kansas State University landed the #17 spot for fine & studio arts this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $28,218 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for Kansas State University
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #18 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates 54% of students within six years. About 20 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $38,717. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full fine & studio arts details for Minnesota State University Mankato
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. About 68% of students finish within six years. University Of Northern Iowa awarded about 16 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from University Of Northern Iowa earn around $24,095 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans.
Get the full fine & studio arts details for University Of Northern Iowa
University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. University Of Nebraska At Omaha awarded about 56 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $28,942. Students borrow a median of $26,202 to complete this degree.
Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Nebraska At Omaha
University Of Kansas came in at #21 for fine & studio arts this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 46 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from University Of Kansas earn around $22,868 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,361.
More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from University Of Kansas
Cornell College placed #22 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. Cornell College awarded about 14 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $35,545 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Cornell College
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #23 for fine & studio arts this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Saint Louis. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri St Louis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $32,224 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,837.
Get the full fine & studio arts details for University Of Missouri St Louis
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Minnesota Duluth awarded about 12 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $25,660 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,624.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for University Of Minnesota Duluth
University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #25 spot for fine & studio arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Kansas City. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. University Of Missouri Kansas City awarded about 18 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $25,476 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for University Of Missouri Kansas City
Rest of the Top 44 Fine & Studio Arts Schools
These schools also placed among the best for fine & studio arts this year:
Narrow Fine & Studio Arts Schools by State
More Fine & Studio Arts Rankings
View All Fine & Studio Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 44 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.