Best institutions to study Metal Arts
A program that focuses on the development of individual artistic expression and technical skills necessary for fabricating refined metal works.
3 U.S. institutions graduated 6 Metal Arts students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0714, a specialization of Fine and Studio Arts (CIP 50.07), and leads most directly to the Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers occupation (BLS SOC 51-9071).
About Metal Arts programs
A program that focuses on the development of individual artistic expression and technical skills necessary for fabricating refined metal works. Includes instruction in aesthetics, anodizing, art history, casting, design, electroforming, enameling, metalsmithing, sculpture, two and three-dimensional design, wax carving, and welding.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Metal Arts program, part of the Fine and Studio Arts field, focuses on developing individual artistic expression and technical skills in metal fabrication. This program is ideal for students passionate about creating refined metal works and exploring various artistic techniques. It provides a foundation for those looking to make their mark in the visual and performing arts.
Students in the Metal Arts program will gain knowledge in aesthetics, design, and various techniques such as metalsmithing, casting, and welding. Coursework emphasizes both two-dimensional and three-dimensional design, alongside practical skills in creating jewelry and other metal items.
Credentials awarded
What Metal Arts graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree4 graduates / yr · 1 institution67%
- Bachelor's degree2 graduates / yr · 2 institutions33%
Graduates over time
Metal Arts completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 6 |
CIP 50.0714 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 3 institutions for Metal Arts, 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 | Cranbrook Academy of Art Bloomfield Hills, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | — | — | — |
| 2 | SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, NYPublicBachelor's | 1 | 33% | — | $24,041 |
| 3 | State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, NYPublicBachelor's | 1 | 72% | — | $18,842 |
* 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 2 states
Where Metal Arts graduates come from. Each state links to all Fine and Studio Arts programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 1 | 4 | Cranbrook Academy of Art4 / yr |
| New York | 2 | 2 | SUNY Buffalo State University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 51-9071, Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Metal Arts program can pursue careers as jewelers, craft artists, or educators in the arts. While the job outlook for these positions is projected to decline by 5.5%, there are approximately 4,000 annual openings. The median wage for this field is around $49,140, with typical education requirements being a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 50.0714
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workersprimary SOC 51-9071 | $52,540 | -5.5% Decline | ~4,000 | High school diploma or equivalent |
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 Metal Arts 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
- Clean and polish metal items and jewelry pieces, using jewelers' tools, polishing wheels, and chemical baths.
- Smooth soldered joints and rough spots, using hand files and emery paper, and polish smoothed areas with polishing wheels or buffing wire.
- Create jewelry from materials such as gold, silver, platinum, and precious or semiprecious stones.
- Cut and file pieces of jewelry such as rings, brooches, bracelets, and lockets.
- Examine assembled or finished products to ensure conformance to specifications, using magnifying glasses or precision measuring instruments.
- Make repairs, such as enlarging or reducing ring sizes, soldering pieces of jewelry together, and replacing broken clasps and mountings.
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
- FiberCIP 50.0712100 graduates / yr10 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in the Metal Arts program?+
You can earn either a Master's degree or a Bachelor's degree in Metal Arts.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and various metalworking techniques.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a jeweler, craft artist, or a postsecondary art teacher.
What is the job outlook for careers in Metal Arts?+
The job outlook is declining, with a projected decrease of 5.5%, but there are still 4,000 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Metal Arts?+
Metal Arts is CIP 50.0714 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 focuses on the development of individual artistic expression and technical skills necessary for fabricating refined metal works. Includes instruction in aesthetics, anodizing, art history, casting, design, electroforming, enameling, metalsmithing, sculpture, two and three-dimensional design, wax carving, and welding.
How many institutions offer Metal Arts programs?+
3 U.S. institutions reported Metal Arts graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 2 states, awarding 6 credentials in the year. That is 0.0% of all Fine and Studio Arts graduates.
How much do Metal Arts graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers occupation, which Metal Arts most directly leads to, pays a median of $52,540 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Fine and Studio Arts field report median earnings of $24,041 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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