Best colleges for Fine and Studio Arts in Maine
Ranked by graduate earnings
Maine College of Art & Design, University of Maine and University of Southern Maine award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees and certificates in Maine: 55, 24 and 23 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 12 Maine colleges offer Fine and Studio Arts and award 162 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 2 institutions, 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 | Maine College of Art & Design Portland Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $24,555 | 55 | 52% | $34,336 | $27,000 |
| 2 | University of Southern Maine Portland Public · Bachelor's degree | $21,058 | 23 | 40% | — | $18,703 |
Colleges awarding the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in Maine
Top 9 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 | Maine College of Art & Design Portland Private not-for-profit | 55 | $24,555 |
| 2 | University of Maine Orono Public | 24 | Not reported |
| 3 | University of Southern Maine Portland Public | 23 | $21,058 |
| 4 | Colby College Waterville Private not-for-profit | 15 | Not reported |
| 5 | University of Maine at Farmington Farmington Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 6 | Bates College Lewiston Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 7 | University of Maine at Presque Isle Presque Isle Public | 5 | Not reported |
| 8 | Bowdoin College Brunswick Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 9 | University of New England Biddeford Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 3 Maine colleges offering Fine and Studio Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine Media College (Graduate only) | Rockport | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| University of Maine at Augusta | Augusta | Public | 5 |
| Unity Environmental University (Online) | New Gloucester | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
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 Maine
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Fine and Studio Arts programs in Maine.
Which Maine colleges award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees?+
Maine College of Art & Design (55 graduates a year), University of Maine (24 graduates a year) and University of Southern Maine (23 graduates a year) award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees and certificates in Maine, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 12 Maine colleges offer Fine and Studio Arts.
Which Fine and Studio Arts program in Maine has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Maine College of Art & Design tops the list at $24,555. 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 Maine?+
The average annual wage for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in Maine is $52,400 (median $46,170). 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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