Best colleges for Fine and Studio Arts in Michigan
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Eastern Michigan University and Ferris State University are the top bachelor's Fine and Studio Arts programs in Michigan by graduate earnings. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $31,367, College Scorecard. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Grand Valley State University and Northern Michigan University award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in Michigan: 201, 73 and 53 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 43 Michigan colleges offer Fine and Studio Arts and award 779 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 10 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 Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,367 | 201 | 93% | — | $19,319 |
| 2 | Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,890 | 43 | 46% | — | $27,250 |
| 3 | Ferris State University Big Rapids Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,540 | 22 | 47% | — | $27,000 |
| 4 | Grand Valley State University Allendale Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,135 | 73 | 67% | — | $27,000 |
| 5 | Northern Michigan University Marquette Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,786 | 53 | 52% | — | $27,000 |
| 6 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo Public · Bachelor's degree | $21,773 | 28 | 58% | — | $28,495 |
| 7 | Wayne State University Detroit Public · Bachelor's degree | $20,948 | 50 | 58% | — | $31,000 |
| 8 | Michigan State University East Lansing Public · Bachelor's degree | $19,566 | 25 | 81% | — | $30,875 |
| 9 | Saginaw Valley State University University Center Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $28,289 | 11 | 48% | — | — |
| 10 | Oakland University Rochester Hills Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $22,840 | 11 | 58% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in Michigan
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 Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor Public | 201 | $31,367 |
| 2 | Grand Valley State University Allendale Public | 73 | $24,135 |
| 3 | Northern Michigan University Marquette Public | 53 | $23,786 |
| 4 | Wayne State University Detroit Public | 50 | $20,948 |
| 5 | Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti Public | 43 | $28,890 |
| 6 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo Public | 28 | $21,773 |
| 7 | Michigan State University East Lansing Public | 25 | $19,566 |
| 8 | Ferris State University Big Rapids Public | 22 | $24,540 |
| 9 | Kalamazoo College Kalamazoo Private not-for-profit | 17 | Not reported |
| 10 | College for Creative Studies Detroit Private not-for-profit | 13 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 33 Michigan colleges offering Fine and Studio Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cranbrook Academy of Art (Graduate only) | Bloomfield Hills | Private not-for-profit | 34 |
| Grand Rapids Community College | Grand Rapids | Public | 33 |
| Delta College | University Center | Public | 19 |
| Schoolcraft Community College District | Livonia | Public | 14 |
| Lansing Community College | Lansing | Public | 12 |
| Hillsdale College | Hillsdale | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| Oakland University | Rochester Hills | Public | 11 |
| Saginaw Valley State University | University Center | Public | 11 |
| Central Michigan University | Mount Pleasant | Public | 10 |
| Albion College | Albion | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Washtenaw Community College | Ann Arbor | Public | 9 |
| Alma College | Alma | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Jackson College | Jackson | Public | 7 |
| Southwestern Michigan College | Dowagiac | Public | 7 |
| University of Michigan-Flint | Flint | Public | 6 |
| Adrian College | Adrian | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Bay de Noc Community College | Escanaba | Public | 5 |
| Calvin University | Grand Rapids | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Oakland Community College | Auburn Hills | Public | 5 |
| Hope College | Holland | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Siena Heights University | Adrian | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Andrews University | Berrien Springs | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Aquinas College | Grand Rapids | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Muskegon Community College | Muskegon | Public | 3 |
| Spring Arbor University | Spring Arbor | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Mott Community College | Flint | Public | 2 |
| Kellogg Community College | Battle Creek | Public | 2 |
| Lake Michigan College | Benton Harbor | Public | 2 |
| University of Michigan-Dearborn | Dearborn | Public | 2 |
| North Central Michigan College | Petoskey | Public | 2 |
| The University of Olivet | Olivet | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Glen Oaks Community College | Centreville | Public | 1 |
| Henry Ford College | Dearborn | 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 Michigan
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Fine and Studio Arts programs in Michigan.
Which Michigan colleges award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees?+
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (201 graduates a year), Grand Valley State University (73 graduates a year) and Northern Michigan University (53 graduates a year) award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in Michigan, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 43 Michigan colleges offer Fine and Studio Arts.
What is the best college for Fine and Studio Arts in Michigan?+
By graduate earnings, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor leads among bachelor's Fine and Studio Arts programs in Michigan, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $31,367, College Scorecard. Eastern Michigan University and Ferris State University follow. By degrees awarded, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is the largest, with 201 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Fine and Studio Arts program in Michigan has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor tops the list at $31,367. 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 Michigan?+
The average annual wage for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in Michigan is $55,220 (median $38,650), across about 220 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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