Best institutions to study Ceramic Arts and Ceramics
A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by producing art works out of clay and similar materials.
44 U.S. institutions graduated 172 Ceramic Arts and Ceramics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0711, a specialization of Fine and Studio Arts (CIP 50.07), and leads most directly to the Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators occupation (BLS SOC 27-1013).
About Ceramic Arts and Ceramics programs
A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by producing art works out of clay and similar materials. Includes instruction in handbuilt and wheelthrown techniques; molding; slips and glazes; trimming and decorating; firing and kiln operation; oxidation; mixed media; ceramic murals; and personal style development.
See also: 14.0601 - Ceramic Sciences and Engineering.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Ceramic Arts and Ceramics program, part of the Fine and Studio Arts field, prepares individuals to creatively and technically express their emotions and ideas through the medium of clay and similar materials. This program is ideal for aspiring artists who wish to develop their skills in both handbuilt and wheelthrown techniques, as well as other ceramic processes.
Students will gain essential skills in molding, trimming, glazing, and firing ceramics, along with personal style development. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, design principles, and the use of various materials and techniques to create compelling artwork.
Credentials awarded
What Ceramic Arts and Ceramics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree61 graduates / yr · 16 institutions36%
- Master's degree40 graduates / yr · 12 institutions23%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year38 graduates / yr · 13 institutions22%
- Associate's degree19 graduates / yr · 8 institutions11%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years7 graduates / yr · 1 institution4.1%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate6 graduates / yr · 1 institution3.5%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.6%
Graduates over time
Ceramic Arts and Ceramics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 285 |
| 2013 | 286 |
| 2014 | 323 |
| 2015 | 277 |
| 2016 | 258 |
| 2017 | 193 |
| 2018 | 199 |
| 2019 | 179 |
| 2020 | 143 |
| 2021 | 124 |
| 2022 | 134 |
| 2023 | 125 |
| 2024 | 148 |
| 2025 | 172 |
Top 44 institutions for Ceramic Arts and Ceramics, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island School of Design Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 14 | 89% | $41,764 | $16,510 |
| 2 | University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth North Dartmouth, MAPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 10 | 52% | — | $23,214 |
| 3 | Cranbrook Academy of Art Bloomfield Hills, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | — | — | — |
| 4 | Kansas City Art Institute Kansas City, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 58% | $29,039 | $22,906 |
| 5 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 9 | 75% | — | $22,108 |
| 6 | Butte College Oroville, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 45% | — | — |
| 7 | Glendale Community College Glendale, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 37% | — | — |
| 8 | Rio Hondo College Whittier, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 25% | — | — |
| 9 | Alfred University Alfred, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | 57% | $22,481 | $22,912 |
| 10 | Maine College of Art & Design Portland, MEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 52% | $34,336 | $24,555 |
| 11 | Massachusetts College of Art and Design Boston, MAPublicBachelor's | 7 | 69% | — | $21,461 |
| 12 | The University of Montana Missoula, MTPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 7 | 48% | — | $22,149 |
| 13 | Santa Fe Community College Santa Fe, NMPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 7 | 23% | — | — |
| 14 | State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, NYPublicBachelor's | 6 | 72% | — | $18,842 |
| 15 | Cuesta College San Luis Obispo, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 48% | — | — |
| 16 | Hood College Frederick, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 57% | $23,244 | — |
| 17 | University of Dallas Irving, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 4 | 73% | $20,960 | — |
| 18 | Chaffey College Rancho Cucamonga, CAPublicAssociate's | 3 | 36% | — | — |
| 19 | Maryland Institute College of Art Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 72% | $37,659 | $21,138 |
| 20 | College of the Ozarks Point Lookout, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 64% | $8,360 | — |
| 21 | Webster University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 64% | $25,090 | — |
| 22 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 62% | — | — |
| 23 | Grossmont College El Cajon, CAPublicAssociate's | 2 | 37% | — | — |
| 24 | Ohlone College Fremont, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 52% | — | — |
| 25 | Mississippi Christian University Clinton, MSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 59% | $21,096 | — |
| 26 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicMaster's | 2 | 65% | — | $29,053 |
| 27 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - San German San German, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 2 | 43% | $10,477 | — |
| 28 | Cerritos College Norwalk, CAPublicAssociate's | 1 | 31% | — | — |
| 29 | De Anza College Cupertino, CAPublicAssociate's | 1 | 68% | — | — |
| 30 | Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 49% | — | — |
| 31 | Laney College Oakland, CAPublicAssociate's | 1 | 31% | — | — |
| 32 | Merritt College Oakland, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 26% | — | — |
| 33 | Monterey Peninsula College Monterey, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 40% | — | — |
| 34 | San Diego Mesa College San Diego, CAPublicAssociate's | 1 | 35% | — | — |
| 35 | University of Hartford West Hartford, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 54% | $28,311 | $25,465 |
| 36 | Millikin University Decatur, ILPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 55% | $8,373 | — |
| 37 | Wichita State University Wichita, KSPublicMaster's | 1 | 51% | — | $27,518 |
| 38 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicMaster's | 1 | 58% | — | $21,773 |
| 39 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 70% | $28,133 | — |
| 40 | SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, NYPublicBachelor's | 1 | 33% | — | $24,041 |
| 41 | SUNY at Fredonia Fredonia, NYPublicBachelor's | 1 | 50% | — | — |
| 42 | Arcadia University Glenside, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 67% | $23,796 | $22,389 |
| 43 | University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 68% | $35,057 | $28,469 |
| 44 | Folsom Lake College Folsom, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 44% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Fine and Studio Arts field (CIP 50.07) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 20 states & territories
Where Ceramic Arts and Ceramics graduates come from. Each state links to all Fine and Studio Arts programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 15 | 44 | Butte College8 / yr |
| New York | 5 | 17 | Alfred University8 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 2 | 17 | University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth10 / yr |
| Missouri | 3 | 15 | Kansas City Art Institute9 / yr |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 14 | Rhode Island School of Design14 / yr |
| Michigan | 2 | 10 | Cranbrook Academy of Art9 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 10 | Temple University9 / yr |
| Maryland | 2 | 7 | Hood College4 / yr |
| Maine | 1 | 7 | Maine College of Art & Design7 / yr |
| Montana | 1 | 7 | The University of Montana7 / yr |
| New Mexico | 1 | 7 | Santa Fe Community College7 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 4 | University of Dallas4 / yr |
| South Dakota | 1 | 3 | South Dakota State University3 / yr |
| Mississippi | 1 | 2 | Mississippi Christian University2 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 2 | Ohio University - Main Campus2 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 2 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - San German2 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 1 | University of Hartford1 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 1 | Millikin University1 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 1 | Wichita State University1 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 1 | University of Puget Sound1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-1013, Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Ceramic Arts and Ceramics program can pursue careers as fine artists, craft artists, or art teachers at the postsecondary level. While the job outlook indicates a slight decline of 1.2%, there are approximately 2,200 annual openings in the field, with a median wage of $60,560 for those with a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 50.0711
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustratorsprimary SOC 27-1013 | $55,490 | -1.2% Decline | ~2,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1121 | $78,620 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~9,000 | Master's degree |
Craft Artists SOC 27-1012 | $46,080 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~1,000 | No formal educational credential |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Ceramic Arts and Ceramics programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Use materials such as pens and ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.
- Integrate and develop visual elements, such as line, space, mass, color, and perspective, to produce desired effects, such as the illustration of ideas, emotions, or moods.
- Confer with clients, editors, writers, art directors, and other interested parties regarding the nature and content of artwork to be produced.
- Maintain portfolios of artistic work to demonstrate styles, interests, and abilities.
- Market artwork through brochures, mailings, or Web sites.
- Study different techniques to learn how to apply them to artistic endeavors.
Tools and technology used
Other Fine and Studio Arts specializations
The 12 other 6-digit CIP codes under Fine and Studio Arts (CIP 50.07).
- Art/CIP 50.0701
Art Studies 19,283 graduates / yr717 institutions - Fine/CIP 50.0702
Studio Arts 11,751 graduates / yr637 institutions - Art HistoryCIP 50.07033,195 graduates / yr356 institutions
- Intermedia/CIP 50.0706
Multimedia 797 graduates / yr39 institutions - Fine Arts and Art StudiesCIP 50.0799771 graduates / yr69 institutions
- Jewelry ArtsCIP 50.0713725 graduates / yr20 institutions
- PaintingCIP 50.0708638 graduates / yr52 institutions
- DrawingCIP 50.0705368 graduates / yr33 institutions
- SculptureCIP 50.0709230 graduates / yr38 institutions
- PrintmakingCIP 50.0710165 graduates / yr31 institutions
- FiberCIP 50.0712100 graduates / yr10 institutions
- Metal ArtsCIP 50.0714partial data6 graduates / yr3 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Associate's degree, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active learning, and various artistic techniques related to ceramics.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a fine artist, craft artist, or postsecondary art teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows a slight decline of 1.2%, with about 2,200 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Ceramic Arts and Ceramics?+
Ceramic Arts and Ceramics is CIP 50.0711 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Fine and Studio Arts (CIP 50.07). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by producing art works out of clay and similar materials. Includes instruction in handbuilt and wheelthrown techniques; molding; slips and glazes; trimming and decorating; firing and kiln operation; oxidation; mixed media; ceramic murals; and personal style development.
How many institutions offer Ceramic Arts and Ceramics programs?+
44 U.S. institutions reported Ceramic Arts and Ceramics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 20 states & territories, awarding 172 credentials in the year. That is 0.5% of all Fine and Studio Arts graduates.
How much do Ceramic Arts and Ceramics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators occupation, which Ceramic Arts and Ceramics most directly leads to, pays a median of $55,490 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Fine and Studio Arts field report median earnings of $22,906 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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