North Carolina · Fine and Studio Arts

Best Fine and Studio Arts institutions in North Carolina, ranked by earnings

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…

Institutions
34
offering CIP 50.07
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
709
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$22,120
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
12
College Scorecard
Median net price
$21,334
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
59%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
$53,020
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh Public · Bachelor's degree
$30,5772885%$27,000
2University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte Public · Bachelor's degree
$25,8557069%$27,000
3Western Carolina University
Cullowhee Public · Bachelor's degree
$24,2534360%$26,000
4University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill Public · Bachelor's degree
$24,0053791%$14,600
5University of North Carolina Asheville
Asheville Public · Bachelor's degree
$23,5044154%$23,942
6Appalachian State University
Boone Public · Bachelor's degree
$22,1206275%$21,985
7North Carolina Central University
Durham Public · Bachelor's degree
$21,9801142%$31,000
8East Carolina University
Greenville Public · Bachelor's degree
$21,2719863%$27,000
9University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington Public · Bachelor's degree
$20,0724271%$26,672
10University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro Public · Bachelor's degree
$18,7458756%$25,000

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators (SOC 27-1013).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
-1.2%
Decline
Openings / yr (US)
~2,200
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$60,560
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Critical ThinkingActive LearningActive ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionWriting

What Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators earn in North Carolina

Jobs in North Carolina
260
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$53,020
median $44,920
Best-paying metro
$53,060
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Related careers

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
$71,290 avg · 2,980 jobs
Photographers
$51,200 avg · 1,620 jobs
Art Directors
$100,270 avg · 880 jobs
Museum Technicians and Conservators
$40,330 avg · 740 jobs
Curators
$54,420 avg · 570 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Fine and Studio Arts programs in North Carolina.

Which Fine and Studio Arts program in North Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), North Carolina State University at Raleigh tops the list at $30,577. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators earn in North Carolina?+

The average annual wage for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in North Carolina is $53,020 (median $44,920), across about 260 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

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).

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