Best colleges for Fine and Studio Arts in District of Columbia
Ranked by graduate earnings
American University, Howard University and George Washington University award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees and certificates in District of Columbia: 39, 36 and 33 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 District of Columbia colleges offer Fine and Studio Arts and award 136 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 institution, 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 | American University Washington Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,115 | 39 | 75% | $30,225 | $23,250 |
Colleges awarding the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in District of Columbia
Top 6 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). 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 | American University Washington Private not-for-profit | 39 | $35,115 |
| 2 | Howard University Washington Private not-for-profit | 36 | Not reported |
| 3 | George Washington University Washington Private not-for-profit | 33 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of the District of Columbia Washington Public | 13 | Not reported |
| 5 | Georgetown University Washington Private not-for-profit | 13 | Not reported |
| 6 | The Catholic University of America Washington Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
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 District of Columbia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Fine and Studio Arts programs in District of Columbia.
Which District of Columbia colleges award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees?+
American University (39 graduates a year), Howard University (36 graduates a year) and George Washington University (33 graduates a year) award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees and certificates in District of Columbia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 District of Columbia colleges offer Fine and Studio Arts.
Which Fine and Studio Arts program in District of Columbia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, American University tops the list at $35,115. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
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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