Best institutions to study Fiber
A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by constructing art works from woven or non-woven fabrics and fibrous materials.
10 U.S. institutions graduated 100 Fiber students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0712, a specialization of Fine and Studio Arts (CIP 50.07), and leads most directly to the Craft Artists occupation (BLS SOC 27-1012).
About Fiber programs
A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by constructing art works from woven or non-woven fabrics and fibrous materials. Includes instruction in weaving techniques and loom operation; non-woven techniques such as knitting, coiling, netting, and crocheting; quilting; dyeing and pigmentation; printing and other finishing techniques; pattern design; tapestry; and personal style development.
See also: 19.0902 - Apparel and Textile Manufacture.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Fiber, Textile and Weaving Arts program, part of the Fine and Studio Arts field, prepares students to creatively and technically express their emotions and ideas through the construction of art using woven and non-woven fabrics and fibrous materials. This program is ideal for individuals interested in developing their artistic skills in various fiber techniques and creating both functional and decorative pieces.
Students will gain knowledge in weaving techniques, loom operation, non-woven methods like knitting and crocheting, dyeing, pattern design, and personal style development. Core skills include critical thinking, active listening, and creativity, essential for crafting unique fiber art.
Credentials awarded
What Fiber graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree68 graduates / yr · 6 institutions68%
- Award of less than 12 weeks12 graduates / yr · 1 institution12%
- Master's degree11 graduates / yr · 3 institutions11%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years4 graduates / yr · 1 institution4.0%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate3 graduates / yr · 1 institution3.0%
- Associate's degree2 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.0%
Graduates over time
Fiber completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 259 |
| 2013 | 263 |
| 2014 | 259 |
| 2015 | 229 |
| 2016 | 233 |
| 2017 | 216 |
| 2018 | 203 |
| 2019 | 186 |
| 2020 | 164 |
| 2021 | 167 |
| 2022 | 162 |
| 2023 | 153 |
| 2024 | 107 |
| 2025 | 100 |
Top 10 institutions for Fiber, 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 | 34 | 89% | $41,764 | $16,510 |
| 2 | Maryland Institute College of Art Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 72% | $37,659 | $21,138 |
| 3 | The Evergreen State College Olympia, WAPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 12 | 41% | — | — |
| 4 | Kansas City Art Institute Kansas City, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 58% | $29,039 | $22,906 |
| 5 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 9 | 75% | — | $22,108 |
| 6 | Massachusetts College of Art and Design Boston, MAPublicBachelor's | 8 | 69% | — | $21,461 |
| 7 | Haywood Community College Clyde, NCPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 6 | 34% | — | — |
| 8 | California College of the Arts San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 61% | $40,041 | $17,690 |
| 9 | University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth North Dartmouth, MAPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 52% | — | $23,214 |
| 10 | Cranbrook Academy of Art Bloomfield Hills, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | — | — | — |
* 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 9 states
Where Fiber graduates come from. Each state links to all Fine and Studio Arts programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | 1 | 34 | Rhode Island School of Design34 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 12 | Maryland Institute College of Art12 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 12 | The Evergreen State College12 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 2 | 11 | Massachusetts College of Art and Design8 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 10 | Kansas City Art Institute10 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 9 | Temple University9 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 6 | Haywood Community College6 / yr |
| California | 1 | 3 | California College of the Arts3 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 3 | Cranbrook Academy of Art3 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-1012, Craft Artists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as craft artists or postsecondary art, drama, and music teachers. The job outlook for craft artists is about as fast as average, with an annual growth rate of 2.1% and approximately 1,000 annual openings. The median wage for craft artists is $38,480, with no formal educational credential typically required.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 50.0712
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Craft Artistsprimary SOC 27-1012 | $46,080 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~1,000 | No formal educational credential |
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1121 | $78,620 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~9,000 | Master's degree |
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 Fiber 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
- 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.
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
- Ceramic Arts and CeramicsCIP 50.0711172 graduates / yr44 institutions
- PrintmakingCIP 50.0710165 graduates / yr31 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, a Master's degree, or an award of less than 12 weeks.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and various crafting techniques.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can become a craft artist or a postsecondary art, drama, and music teacher.
What is the job outlook for craft artists?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.1% and around 1,000 openings annually.
What is the CIP code for Fiber?+
Fiber is CIP 50.0712 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 constructing art works from woven or non-woven fabrics and fibrous materials. Includes instruction in weaving techniques and loom operation; non-woven techniques such as knitting, coiling, netting, and crocheting; quilting; dyeing and pigmentation; printing and other finishing techniques; pattern design; tapestry; and personal style development.
How many institutions offer Fiber programs?+
10 U.S. institutions reported Fiber graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 9 states, awarding 100 credentials in the year. That is 0.3% of all Fine and Studio Arts graduates.
How much do Fiber graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Craft Artists occupation, which Fiber most directly leads to, pays a median of $46,080 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Fine and Studio Arts field report median earnings of $21,461 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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