Best colleges for Fine and Studio Arts in Oregon
Ranked by graduate earnings
Western Oregon University, University of Oregon and Portland State University are the top bachelor's Fine and Studio Arts programs in Oregon by graduate earnings. Western Oregon University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $31,917, College Scorecard. University of Oregon, Portland State University and Lewis & Clark College award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in Oregon: 172, 73 and 38 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 15 Oregon colleges offer Fine and Studio Arts and award 427 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 5 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 | Western Oregon University Monmouth Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,917 | 20 | 47% | — | — |
| 2 | University of Oregon Eugene Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,404 | 172 | 72% | — | $24,000 |
| 3 | Portland State University Portland Public · Bachelor's degree | $20,866 | 73 | 53% | — | $35,125 |
| 4 | George Fox University Newberg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $31,401 | 4 | 72% | $26,564 | $26,000 |
| 5 | Pacific Northwest College of Art Portland Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $25,906 | 38 | 29% | $40,553 | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in Oregon
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 Oregon Eugene Public | 172 | $26,404 |
| 2 | Portland State University Portland Public | 73 | $20,866 |
| 3 | Lewis & Clark College Portland Private not-for-profit | 38 | Not reported |
| 4 | Oregon State University Corvallis Public | 28 | Not reported |
| 5 | Western Oregon University Monmouth Public | 20 | $31,917 |
| 6 | Reed College Portland Private not-for-profit | 19 | Not reported |
| 7 | Southern Oregon University Ashland Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 8 | Willamette University Salem Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 9 | George Fox University Newberg Private not-for-profit | 4 | $31,401 |
| 10 | Pacific University Forest Grove Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 5 Oregon colleges offering Fine and Studio Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Northwest College of Art | Portland | Private not-for-profit | 38 |
| Portland Community College | Portland | Public | 10 |
| Linn-Benton Community College | Albany | Public | 7 |
| Eastern Oregon University | La Grande | Public | 1 |
| Linfield University | McMinnville | Private not-for-profit | 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 Oregon
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Fine and Studio Arts programs in Oregon.
Which Oregon colleges award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees?+
University of Oregon (172 graduates a year), Portland State University (73 graduates a year) and Lewis & Clark College (38 graduates a year) award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in Oregon, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 15 Oregon colleges offer Fine and Studio Arts.
What is the best college for Fine and Studio Arts in Oregon?+
By graduate earnings, Western Oregon University leads among bachelor's Fine and Studio Arts programs in Oregon, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $31,917, College Scorecard. University of Oregon and Portland State University follow. By degrees awarded, University of Oregon is the largest, with 172 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Fine and Studio Arts program in Oregon has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Western Oregon University tops the list at $31,917. 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 Oregon?+
The average annual wage for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in Oregon is $95,050 (median $98,540). 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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