by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 184 U.S. colleges awarded 4,348 degrees and certificates in Digital Arts. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 72% of graduates. College Factual ranks 84 schools in its 2027 Best Digital Arts Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $27,264 one year after completing, rising to $43,860 after four years.
A degree in Digital Arts covers Digital Arts. A General, Undifferentiated Program That Focuses On The Use Of Computerized Digital Images As The Primary Medium Of Expression In The Visual And Performing Arts, And That May Prepare Individuals For A Wide Variety Of Careers Using New Media, Including Graphic Design, Digital Animation, Motion Graphics, 3d Visualization, Game And Interactive Media Design, Music And Sound Design, Video Production, Web Design, Photography, And Other Fields. Examples: [Digital Art].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, digital arts is a widely-pursued major, with 4,348 degrees awarded annually. 184 colleges award digital arts degrees, an average of 24 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 519.
By level, the 4,348 awards include 106 certificates, 568 associate degrees, 3,146 bachelor’s degrees, 510 master’s degrees and 7 doctorates.
Women earned 54% of digital arts degrees and certificates in the latest year (2,358 of 4,348). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,004) and Hispanic or Latino (985), and international students earned 176.
College Factual ranks 84 schools in its 2027 Best Digital Arts Schools ranking, including 19 for associate degrees, 58 for bachelor’s degrees and 2 for master’s degrees. It also ranks digital arts schools within 22 states. In all, 184 colleges offer digital arts programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Digital Arts Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common digital arts credential is the bachelor’s degree: 3,146 of the 4,348 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to digital arts call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Instructing, and for knowledge of Fine Arts, English Language and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a digital arts degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 106 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 568 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,146 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 510 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 7 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to digital arts, at 36.3%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 36.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 27.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 21.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.5% |
| Some college courses | 3.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.5% |
Source: O*NET Online.
6 occupations are related to Digital Arts, with an average median salary of $72,307; the strongest outlook belongs to Artists and Related Workers, All Other, at 13.9% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Photography Professor, Music Theory Professor, Arts and Crafts Instructor and Ballet Teacher.
The occupation related to digital arts with the most projected jobs is Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,074,154.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | 427,793 | 13.9% |
| Graphic Designers | 267,813 | 4.6% |
| Art Directors | 105,166 | 1.0% |
| Photographers | 81,551 | -3.6% |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | 40,928 | 6.1% |
Digital Arts graduates earn a median $27,264 one year after completing their program, $43,860 after four years and $40,988 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $27,264 |
| 4 years | $43,860 |
| 5 years | $40,988 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to digital arts is Art Directors, with a median salary of $103,285.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Art Directors | $103,285 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,610 |
| Photographers | $75,743 |
| Graphic Designers | $66,386 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $57,836 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
Digital Arts has 1 similar major in the Visual & Performing Arts field; the largest is Visual and Performing Arts, General (3,508). Browse all Visual & Performing Arts majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | 3,508 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
