Best institutions to study Crafts/Craft Design
Compare 9 U.S. colleges offering Crafts/Craft Design by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 8 states.
Crafts/Craft Design programs report a median of $28,817 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 50.02 and the Craft Artists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Crafts/Craft Design programs
The Crafts/Craft Design program, also known as Folk Art and Artisanry, focuses on the creation of functional and decorative objects through various methods and materials. This program is ideal for individuals who have a passion for hands-on artistry and wish to develop their skills in crafting unique items. Students will engage in both traditional and contemporary craft techniques.
In this program, students will acquire core skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Knowledge areas include design principles, fine arts, and production processes, enabling students to create innovative craft objects and apply finishes to their work.
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | College for Creative Studies Detroit, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $28,817 | 8 | 71% | $32,153 | $30,620 |
| 2 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $21,237 | 22 | 63% | — | $19,500 |
Offered across 8 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michiganlimited | 1 | $28,817 | College for Creative Studies |
| Virginialimited | 1 | $21,237 | Virginia Commonwealth University |
| Alaskalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Arkansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Connecticutlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Mainelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Massachusettslimited | 2 | — | — |
| North Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-1012, Craft Artists, and its national outlook.
The job outlook for careers related to Crafts/Craft Design is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 2.1%. There are approximately 1,000 annual openings in this field, with a median wage of $38,480. Notably, no formal educational credential is typically required for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Crafts/Craft Design
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 50.02.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 50.02 (Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 27-1012 | Craft Artistsprimary |
| 27-1019 | Artists and Related Workers, All Other |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Crafts/Craft Design programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Select materials for use based on strength, color, texture, balance, weight, size, malleability and other characteristics.
- Create functional or decorative objects by hand, using a variety of methods and materials.
- Develop concepts or creative ideas for craft objects.
- Apply finishes to objects being crafted.
- Cut, shape, fit, join, mold, or otherwise process materials, using hand tools, power tools, or machinery.
- Set specifications for materials, dimensions, and finishes.
Concentrations within Crafts/Craft Design
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and ArtisanryCIP 50.0201
A program that focuses on the aesthetics, techniques, and creative processes for designing and fashioning objects in one or more of the handcraft or folk art traditions, and that prepares individuals
Common questions
What types of crafts will I learn about?+
You will explore a variety of crafts, including both functional and decorative object creation.
Do I need prior experience to enroll?+
No prior experience is necessary; the program is designed for all skill levels.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?+
Graduates can pursue various roles in crafting, artisanry, and small-scale production.
Is there a focus on traditional or contemporary techniques?+
The program encompasses both traditional and contemporary crafting methods.
How much do Crafts/Craft Design graduates earn?+
Crafts/Craft Design graduates report median earnings of $28,817 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Craft Artists occupation pays about $49,740 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Crafts/Craft Design?+
Crafts/Craft Design maps to CIP 50.02 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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