Best colleges for Fine and Studio Arts in Iowa
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa and Cornell College award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in Iowa: 124, 16 and 14 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 23 Iowa colleges offer Fine and Studio Arts and award 228 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 3 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 Iowa Iowa City Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,008 | 124 | 75% | — | $27,000 |
| 2 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $24,095 | 16 | 68% | — | $26,500 |
| 3 | Grinnell College Grinnell Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $20,111 | 8 | 88% | $14,470 | $16,750 |
Colleges awarding the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in Iowa
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 | University of Iowa Iowa City Public | 124 | $28,008 |
| 2 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls Public | 16 | $24,095 |
| 3 | Cornell College Mount Vernon Private not-for-profit | 14 | Not reported |
| 4 | Grinnell College Grinnell Private not-for-profit | 8 | $20,111 |
| 5 | Saint Ambrose University Davenport Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
| 6 | Central College Pella Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 7 | Clarke University Dubuque Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 8 | Drake University Des Moines Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 9 | Graceland University - Lamoni Lamoni Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 10 | Coe College Cedar Rapids Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 13 Iowa colleges offering Fine and Studio Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maharishi International University (Online) | Fairfield | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Dordt University | Sioux Center | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Ellsworth Community College | Iowa Falls | Public | 3 |
| Grand View University | Des Moines | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Iowa Western Community College | Council Bluffs | Public | 3 |
| Luther College | Decorah | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Morningside University | Sioux City | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Hawkeye Community College | Waterloo | Public | 1 |
| Iowa Lakes Community College | Estherville | Public | 1 |
| Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids | Public | 1 |
| Northwestern College | Orange City | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Wartburg College | Waverly | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| William Penn University | Oskaloosa | Private not-for-profit | 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 Iowa
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Fine and Studio Arts programs in Iowa.
Which Iowa colleges award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees?+
University of Iowa (124 graduates a year), University of Northern Iowa (16 graduates a year) and Cornell College (14 graduates a year) award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 23 Iowa colleges offer Fine and Studio Arts.
Which Fine and Studio Arts program in Iowa has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Iowa tops the list at $28,008. 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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