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2027 Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the The Plains States Region

44 Colleges in the United States
1,225 Fine & Studio Arts Degrees Awarded
$36,591 Avg Early-Career Salary

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

1
Carleton College crest
Carleton College
Northfield, MN

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

2

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

3

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

4

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

5
College Of Saint Benedict crest
College Of Saint Benedict
Saint Joseph, MN

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

6
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

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

7

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

8

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

9

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

10
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

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

11

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

12

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

13
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

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

14

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

15

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

16
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO

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

17

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

18

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

19

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

20

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

21
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

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

22
Cornell College crest
Cornell College
Mount Vernon, IA

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

23

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

24

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

25

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:

26
27
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
Webster University crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO
38
39
40
41
42
Jefferson College crest
Jefferson College
Hillsboro, MO
43
44

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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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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