Best Art programs in Kentucky, ranked by enrollment
Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts.
26 schools in Kentucky run programs that feed this job, graduating 933 people a year. The job pays a median of $64,440 in Kentucky across about 900 jobs (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Fields of study in Kentucky that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level. Numbers are graduates per year in this state.
32 programs in Kentucky that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year in Kentucky (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are national College Scorecard figures reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. Each program also links to its own Kentucky page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 50.0702In Kentucky → | 337 | 36.1% | 18 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 2 | CIP 50.0501In Kentucky → | 83 | 8.9% | 13 | $20,667 | $24,994 |
| 3 | CIP 50.0409In Kentucky → | 81 | 8.7% | 7 | $31,611 | $26,000 |
| 4 | CIP 13.1312In Kentucky → | 66 | 7.1% | 8 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 5 | CIP 50.0602In Kentucky → | 60 | 6.4% | 4 | $25,014 | $24,650 |
| 6 | CIP 50.0903In Kentucky → | 46 | 4.9% | 5 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 7 | CIP 50.0102In Kentucky → | 45 | 4.8% | 3 | $24,752 | $25,963 |
| 8 | CIP 50.1001In Kentucky → | 35 | 3.8% | 1 | $28,050 | $25,468 |
| 9 | CIP 50.0406In Kentucky → | 20 | 2.1% | 1 | $31,611 | $26,000 |
| 10 | CIP 50.0599In Kentucky → | 19 | 2.0% | 1 | $20,667 | $24,994 |
| 11 | CIP 13.1302In Kentucky → | 17 | 1.8% | 3 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 12 | CIP 50.0301In Kentucky → | 17 | 1.8% | 2 | $21,877 | $25,000 |
| 13 | CIP 50.0902In Kentucky → | 14 | 1.5% | 1 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 14 | CIP 50.0401In Kentucky → | 12 | 1.3% | 1 | $31,611 | $26,000 |
| 15 | CIP 50.0703In Kentucky → | 12 | 1.3% | 5 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 16 | CIP 50.1003In Kentucky → | 12 | 1.3% | 2 | $28,050 | $25,468 |
| 17 | CIP 50.0701In Kentucky → | 11 | 1.2% | 3 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 18 | CIP 50.0404In Kentucky → | 8 | 0.9% | 1 | $31,611 | $26,000 |
| 19 | CIP 50.1002In Kentucky → | 7 | 0.8% | 2 | $28,050 | $25,468 |
| 20 | CIP 50.0601In Kentucky → | 5 | 0.5% | 2 | $25,014 | $24,650 |
| 21 | CIP 50.0913In Kentucky → | 5 | 0.5% | 1 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 22 | CIP 50.0999In Kentucky → | 5 | 0.5% | 2 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 23 | CIP 50.0504In Kentucky → | 3 | 0.3% | 1 | $20,667 | $24,994 |
| 24 | CIP 50.0506In Kentucky → | 3 | 0.3% | 1 | $20,667 | $24,994 |
| 25 | CIP 50.0502In Kentucky → | 2 | 0.2% | 1 | $20,667 | $24,994 |
| 26 | CIP 50.0914In Kentucky → | 2 | 0.2% | 1 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 27 | Visual and Performing Arts, Othermain feeder CIP 50.9999In Kentucky → | 1 | 0.1% | 1 | $24,229 | $25,000 |
| 28 | CIP 50.0101In Kentucky → | 1 | 0.1% | 1 | $24,752 | $25,963 |
| 29 | CIP 50.0509In Kentucky → | 1 | 0.1% | 1 | $20,667 | $24,994 |
| 30 | CIP 50.0904In Kentucky → | 1 | 0.1% | 1 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 31 | CIP 50.0908In Kentucky → | 1 | 0.1% | 1 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 32 | CIP 50.0912In Kentucky → | 1 | 0.1% | 1 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
Top 25 schools in Kentucky
Ranked by graduates per year into this job. Graduate earnings are reported for 7 of the 26 schools in this state.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Public · 20 feeder programs | 219 | Digital Arts | $26,343 | 71% | — | 93% |
| 2 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY Public · 10 feeder programs | 129 | Fine/Studio Arts, General | $28,291 | 56% | — | 94% |
| 3 | Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY Public · 4 feeder programs | 106 | Fine/Studio Arts, General | $31,448 | 52% | — | 68% |
| 4 | University of Louisville Louisville, KY Public · 6 feeder programs | 93 | Fine/Studio Arts, General | $28,485 | 61% | — | 79% |
| 5 | Morehead State University Morehead, KY Public · 4 feeder programs | 36 | Fine/Studio Arts, General | $17,301 | 52% | — | 77% |
| 6 | Murray State University Murray, KY Public · 3 feeder programs | 35 | Fine/Studio Arts, General | $21,715 | 61% | — | 86% |
| 7 | Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KY Public · 2 feeder programs | 32 | Cinematography and Film/Video Production | — | 43% | — | — |
| 8 | Bellarmine University Louisville, KY Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 26 | Fine/Studio Arts, General | — | 64% | $22,542 | 86% |
| 9 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY Public · 1 feeder programs | 26 | Fine/Studio Arts, General | $25,596 | 50% | — | 78% |
| 10 | Asbury University Wilmore, KY Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 24 | Cinematography and Film/Video Production | — | 65% | $19,816 | 63% |
| 11 | Big Sandy Community and Technical College Prestonsburg, KY Public · 1 feeder programs | 24 | Graphic Design | — | 38% | — | — |
| 12 | University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KY Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 23 | Art Teacher Education | — | 50% | $11,672 | 99% |
| 13 | Campbellsville University Campbellsville, KY Private not-for-profit · 6 feeder programs | 22 | Music Performance, General | — | 42% | $18,824 | 80% |
| 14 | Jefferson Community and Technical College Louisville, KY Public · 1 feeder programs | 20 | Commercial Photography | — | 35% | — | — |
| 15 | Kentucky Wesleyan College Owensboro, KY Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 18 | Graphic Design | — | 47% | $36,525 | 72% |
| 16 | Georgetown College Georgetown, KY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 15 | Fine/Studio Arts, General | — | 49% | $12,666 | 91% |
| 17 | Transylvania University Lexington, KY Private not-for-profit · 6 feeder programs | 15 | Music Technology | — | 71% | $21,881 | 87% |
| 18 | West Kentucky Community and Technical College Paducah, KY Public · 2 feeder programs | 14 | Graphic Design | — | 50% | — | — |
| 19 | Berea College Berea, KY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 12 | Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General | — | 58% | $5,274 | 19% |
| 20 | Somerset Community College Somerset, KY Public · 1 feeder programs | 12 | Graphic Design | — | 43% | — | — |
| 21 | Centre College Danville, KY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 11 | Fine/Studio Arts, General | — | 81% | $18,407 | 54% |
| 22 | Hazard Community and Technical College Hazard, KY Public · 1 feeder programs | 6 | Graphic Design | — | 48% | — | — |
| 23 | Spalding University Louisville, KY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 4 | Art Teacher Education | — | 52% | $23,661 | 99% |
| 24 | Thomas More University Crestview Hills, KY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 4 | Fine/Studio Arts, General | — | 40% | $18,902 | 90% |
| 25 | University of Pikeville Pikeville, KY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 4 | Film/Cinema/Media Studies | — | 42% | $13,886 | — |
All 26 schools in Kentucky
Every school in Kentucky with a program that feeds this job, ordered by graduates per year. Earnings are shown for the ranked schools above; open a school profile for the rest.
| School | City | Control | Graduates / yr | Feeder programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kentucky | Lexington | Public | 219 | 20 |
| Western Kentucky University | Bowling Green | Public | 129 | 10 |
| Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights | Public | 106 | 4 |
| University of Louisville | Louisville | Public | 93 | 6 |
| Morehead State University | Morehead | Public | 36 | 4 |
| Murray State University | Murray | Public | 35 | 3 |
| Bluegrass Community and Technical College | Lexington | Public | 32 | 2 |
| Bellarmine University | Louisville | Private not-for-profit | 26 | 3 |
| Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond | Public | 26 | 1 |
| Asbury University | Wilmore | Private not-for-profit | 24 | 5 |
| Big Sandy Community and Technical College | Prestonsburg | Public | 24 | 1 |
| University of the Cumberlands | Williamsburg | Private not-for-profit | 23 | 4 |
| Campbellsville University | Campbellsville | Private not-for-profit | 22 | 6 |
| Jefferson Community and Technical College | Louisville | Public | 20 | 1 |
| Kentucky Wesleyan College | Owensboro | Private not-for-profit | 18 | 4 |
What art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary earn in Kentucky
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
U.S. median $78,620. Kentucky pays below the national figure.
1.00× means the state has its expected share of these jobs.
Metro areas in Kentucky
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Growth and openings are national. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish employment projections at state level, so these figures describe the occupation across the whole U.S., not this state alone.
How to get in
The full skills, tools, and day-to-day breakdown lives on the national Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary page.
How to become a Art
Job zone 5 of 5 · SVP 8.0 and above- Typical entry education
- Master's degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Top skills
The same job in other states
Where else this occupation employs the most people, and what it pays there.
Related careers in Kentucky
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 25 majors mapped to Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary25 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 13.1302Art Teacher Education
- 13.1312Music Teacher Education
- 13.1324Drama and Dance Teacher Education
- 50.0101Visual and Performing Arts, General
- 50.0102Digital Arts
- 50.0201Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry
- 50.0301Dance, General
- 50.0302Ballet
- 50.0399Dance, Other
- 50.0401Design and Visual Communications, General
- 50.0404Industrial and Product Design
- 50.0406Commercial Photography
- 50.0407Fashion/Apparel Design
- 50.0409Graphic Design
- 50.0410Illustration
- 50.0501Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
- 50.0502Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology
- 50.0504Playwriting and Screenwriting
- 50.0505Theatre Literature, History and Criticism
- 50.0506Acting
- 50.0507Directing and Theatrical Production
- 50.0509Musical Theatre
- 50.0510Costume Design
- 50.0511Comedy Writing and Performance
- 50.0512Theatre and Dance
Common questions
Answers for people weighing art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary programs in Kentucky.
What degree do you need to become an Art?+
Master's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Fine/Studio Arts, General, which awarded 337 degrees in Kentucky in 2024-25, 36.1% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming an Art?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 32 programs to this occupation. The largest are Fine and Studio Arts, Design and Applied Arts, Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, Teacher Education and Professional Development, plus 6 more. Together they graduate about 933 people a year in Kentucky.
How much do art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary earn in Kentucky?+
The median is $64,440 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). That is 18.0% below the U.S. median of $78,620. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary growing?+
BLS projects a +1.7% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, little or no change, with roughly 9,000 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career in Kentucky?+
26 institutions in Kentucky reported graduates from at least one of the 32 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Professor, Art Professor, Music Professor, Theater Professor among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 25-1121.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024–25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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