Best colleges for Fine and Studio Arts in Colorado
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Northern Colorado and Colorado State University - Fort Collins are the top bachelor's Fine and Studio Arts programs in Colorado by graduate earnings. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $31,144, College Scorecard. Colorado State University - Fort Collins, University of Colorado Boulder and University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in Colorado: 110, 81 and 76 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 20 Colorado colleges offer Fine and Studio Arts and award 496 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Fine and Studio Arts program focuses on the practice and theory of visual arts and design, encompassing various disciplines such as illustration, painting, sculpture, and graphic design. This program is ideal for students who are…
Top 8 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,144 | 76 | 46% | — | $25,490 |
| 2 | University of Northern Colorado Greeley Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,663 | 44 | 51% | — | $25,000 |
| 3 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,143 | 110 | 67% | — | $21,500 |
| 4 | University of Denver Denver Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $28,964 | 25 | 76% | $29,726 | — |
| 5 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,102 | 37 | 32% | — | $31,000 |
| 6 | Fort Lewis College Durango Public · Bachelor's degree | $22,754 | 24 | 36% | — | $16,500 |
| 7 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder Public · Bachelor's degree | $17,501 | 81 | 74% | — | $21,500 |
| 8 | Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $27,136 | 19 | 41% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in Colorado
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins Public | 110 | $30,143 |
| 2 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder Public | 81 | $17,501 |
| 3 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver Public | 76 | $31,144 |
| 4 | University of Northern Colorado Greeley Public | 44 | $30,663 |
| 5 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver Public | 37 | $26,102 |
| 6 | University of Denver Denver Private not-for-profit | 25 | $28,964 |
| 7 | Fort Lewis College Durango Public | 24 | $22,754 |
| 8 | Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction Public | 19 | $27,136 |
| 9 | Colorado College Colorado Springs Private not-for-profit | 16 | Not reported |
| 10 | Front Range Community College Westminster Public | 15 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 10 Colorado colleges offering Fine and Studio Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arapahoe Community College | Littleton | Public | 10 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison | Public | 10 |
| Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design | Lakewood | Private for-profit | 7 |
| Red Rocks Community College | Lakewood | Public | 6 |
| Adams State University | Alamosa | Public | 5 |
| Pikes Peak State College | Colorado Springs | Public | 4 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo | Public | 3 |
| Regis University | Denver | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Otero College | La Junta | Public | 1 |
| Trinidad State College | Trinidad | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators (SOC 27-1013).
Top skills
What Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators earn in Colorado
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Fine and Studio Arts programs in Colorado.
Which Colorado colleges award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees?+
Colorado State University - Fort Collins (110 graduates a year), University of Colorado Boulder (81 graduates a year) and University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (76 graduates a year) award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in Colorado, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 20 Colorado colleges offer Fine and Studio Arts.
What is the best college for Fine and Studio Arts in Colorado?+
By graduate earnings, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus leads among bachelor's Fine and Studio Arts programs in Colorado, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $31,144, College Scorecard. University of Northern Colorado and Colorado State University - Fort Collins follow. By degrees awarded, Colorado State University - Fort Collins is the largest, with 110 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Fine and Studio Arts program in Colorado has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus tops the list at $31,144. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators earn in Colorado?+
The average annual wage for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in Colorado is $62,950 (median $51,910), across about 250 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Fine and Studio Arts program?+
The Fine and Studio Arts program focuses on the practice and theory of visual arts and design, encompassing various disciplines such as illustration, painting, sculpture, and graphic design. This program is ideal for students who are…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, active learning, active listening, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators?+
The national job outlook is about -1.2% growth with around 2,200 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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