Best colleges for Fine and Studio Arts in New Mexico
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of New Mexico, Central New Mexico Community College and Western New Mexico University award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees and certificates in New Mexico: 75, 33 and 6 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 12 New Mexico colleges offer Fine and Studio Arts and award 188 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 | University of New Mexico Albuquerque Public · Bachelor's degree | $19,227 | 75 | 55% | — | $22,500 |
| 2 | Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development Santa Fe Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,835 | 35 | 15% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in New Mexico
Top 7 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 | University of New Mexico Albuquerque Public | 75 | $19,227 |
| 2 | Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque Public | 33 | Not reported |
| 3 | Western New Mexico University Silver City Public | 6 | Not reported |
| 4 | Eastern New Mexico University Portales Public | 5 | Not reported |
| 5 | New Mexico State University Las Cruces Public | 4 | Not reported |
| 6 | Clovis Community College Clovis Public | 2 | Not reported |
| 7 | Mesalands Community College Tucumcari Public | 2 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 5 New Mexico colleges offering Fine and Studio Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development | Santa Fe | Public | 35 |
| Santa Fe Community College | Santa Fe | Public | 17 |
| University of New Mexico-Valencia County Campus | Los Lunas | Public | 4 |
| New Mexico State University - Alamogordo | Alamogordo | Public | 3 |
| New Mexico Highlands University | Las Vegas | Public | 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 New Mexico
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Fine and Studio Arts programs in New Mexico.
Which New Mexico colleges award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees?+
University of New Mexico (75 graduates a year), Central New Mexico Community College (33 graduates a year) and Western New Mexico University (6 graduates a year) award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees and certificates in New Mexico, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 12 New Mexico colleges offer Fine and Studio Arts.
Which Fine and Studio Arts program in New Mexico has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of New Mexico tops the list at $19,227. 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 New Mexico?+
The average annual wage for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in New Mexico is $63,020 (median $63,090), across about 70 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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