Best institutions to study Fine Arts and Art Studies
Any instructional program in fine arts and art studies not listed above.
69 U.S. institutions graduated 771 Fine Arts and Art Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0799, 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 Fine Arts and Art Studies programs
Any instructional program in fine arts and art studies not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Fine Arts and Art Studies program offers students a comprehensive education in various artistic disciplines not specifically categorized elsewhere. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about visual arts, including those interested in unique mediums such as glass making and other innovative forms of expression. Students can explore their creativity while developing a strong foundation in artistic techniques and concepts.
In this program, students acquire essential skills such as critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers design principles, fine arts techniques, and the use of various materials and technologies to create compelling artwork.
Credentials awarded
What Fine Arts and Art Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree346 graduates / yr · 38 institutions45%
- Master's degree162 graduates / yr · 18 institutions21%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years121 graduates / yr · 1 institution16%
- Associate's degree111 graduates / yr · 12 institutions14%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year23 graduates / yr · 3 institutions3.0%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate8 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.0%
Graduates over time
Fine Arts and Art Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,819 |
| 2013 | 1,728 |
| 2014 | 1,710 |
| 2015 | 1,446 |
| 2016 | 1,312 |
| 2017 | 1,212 |
| 2018 | 1,231 |
| 2019 | 1,112 |
| 2020 | 973 |
| 2021 | 822 |
| 2022 | 751 |
| 2023 | 848 |
| 2024 | 718 |
| 2025 | 771 |
Top 50 institutions for Fine Arts and Art Studies, 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 | Mohave Community College Kingman, AZPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 121 | 38% | — | — |
| 2 | Academy of Art University San Francisco, CAPrivate for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sAssociate's | 58 | 34% | $40,294 | — |
| 3 | County College of Morris Randolph, NJPublicAssociate's | 57 | 36% | — | $33,881 |
| 4 | Skidmore College Saratoga Springs, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 38 | 83% | $25,238 | $30,480 |
| 5 | University of Maryland - Baltimore County Baltimore, MDPublicBachelor's | 33 | 70% | — | $23,879 |
| 6 | Fordham University Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 31 | 82% | $38,931 | $35,929 |
| 7 | University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell, MAPublicBachelor's | 23 | 65% | — | $36,236 |
| 8 | Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, NJPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 23 | 87% | $34,827 | — |
| 9 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicMaster's | 21 | 63% | — | $21,916 |
| 10 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor's | 19 | 93% | — | $21,220 |
| 11 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicBachelor's | 18 | 75% | — | $23,034 |
| 12 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 18 | 57% | — | $22,788 |
| 13 | University of Guam Mangilao, GUPublicBachelor's | 18 | 37% | — | — |
| 14 | University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 17 | 66% | — | $24,013 |
| 15 | Pacific Northwest College of Art Portland, ORPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 16 | 29% | $40,553 | $25,906 |
| 16 | Schoolcraft Community College District Livonia, MIPublicAssociate's | 14 | 18% | — | — |
| 17 | Fashion Institute of Technology New York, NYPublicMaster's | 14 | 81% | — | $23,428 |
| 18 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 13 | 91% | — | $23,793 |
| 19 | Bunker Hill Community College Boston, MAPublicAssociate's | 12 | 13% | — | — |
| 20 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 12 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 21 | Kenyon College Gambier, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 82% | $20,475 | $23,082 |
| 22 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor's | 12 | 88% | — | $29,186 |
| 23 | College for Creative Studies Detroit, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 71% | $32,153 | — |
| 24 | University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Chickasha, OKPublicBachelor's | 9 | 44% | — | $14,912 |
| 25 | University of Wisconsin - Superior Superior, WIPublicBachelor's | 8 | 42% | — | — |
| 26 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 92% | $26,873 | $50,161 |
| 27 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicMaster's | 6 | 86% | — | $22,700 |
| 28 | Spelman College Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 78% | $35,132 | — |
| 29 | Truckee Meadows Community College Reno, NVPublicAssociate's | 6 | 32% | — | — |
| 30 | Shawnee State University Portsmouth, OHPublicBachelor's | 6 | 48% | — | $19,261 |
| 31 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 6 | 75% | — | $22,108 |
| 32 | California Institute of Integral Studies San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | — | — | — |
| 33 | University of Denver Denver, COPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 76% | $29,726 | $28,964 |
| 34 | Loyola University Maryland Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 79% | $26,585 | — |
| 35 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 89% | $21,956 | $17,374 |
| 36 | Northern Oklahoma College Tonkawa, OKPublicAssociate's | 5 | 48% | — | — |
| 37 | Rhode Island School of Design Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 5 | 89% | $41,764 | $16,510 |
| 38 | Whitman College Walla Walla, WAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 81% | $28,508 | — |
| 39 | New York Academy of Art New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 5 | — | — | — |
| 40 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, ALPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 4 | 73% | — | $21,836 |
| 41 | Maryland Institute College of Art Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 72% | $37,659 | $21,138 |
| 42 | Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 49% | $17,436 | — |
| 43 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 88% | $29,023 | $25,053 |
| 44 | University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OHPublicBachelor's | 4 | 52% | — | $22,837 |
| 45 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 49% | — | $31,985 |
| 46 | Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico - Ponce Ponce, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 49% | $13,112 | — |
| 47 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicBachelor's | 3 | 55% | — | — |
| 48 | Salem Community College Carneys Point, NJPublicAssociate's | 3 | 40% | — | — |
| 49 | Butler County Community College Butler, PAPublicAssociate's | 3 | 37% | — | — |
| 50 | University of New Haven West Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 63% | $32,614 | — |
* 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 29 states & territories
Where Fine Arts and Art Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Fine and Studio Arts programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-1013, Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Fine Arts and Art Studies program often pursue careers as fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators. The job outlook indicates a slight decline in growth at -1.2%, with approximately 2,200 annual openings. The median wage for these professionals is around $60,560, with a typical education requirement of a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 50.0799
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 |
Artists and Related Workers, All Other SOC 27-1019 | $71,240 | +0.8% Little or no change | ~1,200 | 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 Fine Arts and Art Studies 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 - 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
- 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 1 but less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active learning, and various artistic techniques.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can become a fine artist, art teacher, or work in various artistic roles.
What is the job outlook for fine arts graduates?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 1.2%, with about 2,200 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Fine Arts and Art Studies?+
Fine Arts and Art Studies is CIP 50.0799 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: Any instructional program in fine arts and art studies not listed above.
How many institutions offer Fine Arts and Art Studies programs?+
69 U.S. institutions reported Fine Arts and Art Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 29 states & territories, awarding 771 credentials in the year. That is 2.0% of all Fine and Studio Arts graduates.
How much do Fine Arts and Art Studies 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 Fine Arts and Art Studies 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 $23,082 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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