Best institutions to study Sculpture
A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by creating three-dimensional art works.
38 U.S. institutions graduated 230 Sculpture students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0709, 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 Sculpture programs
A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by creating three-dimensional art works. Includes instruction in the analysis of form in space; round and relief concepts; sculptural composition; modern and experimental methods; different media such as clay, plaster, wood, stone, and metal; techniques such as carving, molding, welding, casting, and modeling; and personal style development.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Sculpture program, part of Fine and Studio Arts, prepares students to express their emotions and ideas through three-dimensional art. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about creating sculptures using various materials and techniques, including clay, wood, and metal. Students will develop their personal style while exploring modern and experimental methods in sculpture.
Students in the Sculpture program will gain critical skills in design, critical thinking, and active learning. Coursework includes hands-on instruction in sculptural composition, carving, molding, and welding, enabling students to master different media and develop their artistic voice.
Credentials awarded
What Sculpture graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree169 graduates / yr · 28 institutions74%
- Master's degree48 graduates / yr · 11 institutions21%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year10 graduates / yr · 3 institutions4.3%
- Associate's degree3 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.3%
Graduates over time
Sculpture completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 400 |
| 2013 | 383 |
| 2014 | 366 |
| 2015 | 397 |
| 2016 | 321 |
| 2017 | 296 |
| 2018 | 257 |
| 2019 | 305 |
| 2020 | 291 |
| 2021 | 232 |
| 2022 | 211 |
| 2023 | 209 |
| 2024 | 231 |
| 2025 | 230 |
Top 38 institutions for Sculpture, 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 | 30 | 89% | $41,764 | $16,510 |
| 2 | Pratt Institute - Main Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 25 | 74% | $49,088 | $18,451 |
| 3 | Maryland Institute College of Art Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 19 | 72% | $37,659 | $21,138 |
| 4 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicBachelor's | 19 | 63% | — | $21,916 |
| 5 | SUNY at Purchase College Purchase, NYPublicBachelor's | 16 | 63% | — | $14,984 |
| 6 | Massachusetts College of Art and Design Boston, MAPublicBachelor's | 14 | 69% | — | $21,461 |
| 7 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 12 | 75% | — | $22,108 |
| 8 | University of Houston Houston, TXPublicBachelor's | 11 | 65% | — | $26,482 |
| 9 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 10 | Maine College of Art & Design Portland, MEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 52% | $34,336 | $24,555 |
| 11 | The Evergreen State College Olympia, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 41% | — | — |
| 12 | Cranbrook Academy of Art Bloomfield Hills, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | — | — | — |
| 13 | Kansas City Art Institute Kansas City, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 58% | $29,039 | $22,906 |
| 14 | Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 4 | 69% | $44,902 | $20,643 |
| 15 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 4 | 89% | $21,956 | $17,374 |
| 16 | Alfred University Alfred, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 57% | $22,481 | $22,912 |
| 17 | Santa Fe Community College Santa Fe, NMPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 3 | 23% | — | — |
| 18 | State University of New York at New Paltz New Paltz, NYPublicBachelor's | 3 | 72% | — | $18,842 |
| 19 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicMaster's | 3 | 65% | — | $29,053 |
| 20 | Escuela de Artes Plasticas y Diseno de Puerto Rico San Juan, PRPublicBachelor's | 3 | 45% | — | $7,453 |
| 21 | New York Academy of Art New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | — | — | — |
| 22 | California College of the Arts San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 61% | $40,041 | $17,690 |
| 23 | Montserrat College of Art Beverly, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 53% | $34,176 | $21,543 |
| 24 | Salem Community College Carneys Point, NJPublicAssociate's | 2 | 40% | — | — |
| 25 | University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OHPublicBachelor's | 2 | 52% | — | $22,837 |
| 26 | Art Academy of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 41% | $39,344 | $13,252 |
| 27 | University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 68% | $35,057 | $28,469 |
| 28 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 29 | Wichita State University Wichita, KSPublicMaster's | 1 | 51% | — | $27,518 |
| 30 | University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth North Dartmouth, MAPublicBachelor's | 1 | 52% | — | $23,214 |
| 31 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MIPublicBachelor's | 1 | 47% | — | $24,540 |
| 32 | Minneapolis College of Art and Design Minneapolis, MNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 51% | $24,998 | $14,829 |
| 33 | SUNY at Fredonia Fredonia, NYPublicBachelor's | 1 | 50% | — | — |
| 34 | Western Piedmont Community College Morganton, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 49% | — | — |
| 35 | Cleveland Institute of Art Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 58% | $31,870 | $18,839 |
| 36 | Pacific Northwest College of Art Portland, ORPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 29% | $40,553 | $25,906 |
| 37 | Rhode Island College Providence, RIPublicBachelor's | 1 | 48% | — | $28,241 |
| 38 | University of Dallas Irving, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 73% | $20,960 | — |
* 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 23 states & territories
Where Sculpture 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 Sculpture program can pursue careers as fine artists, including sculptors and illustrators, with an annual opening of approximately 2,200 positions. The typical education required is a Bachelor's degree, and the median wage for these professionals is around $60,560. However, the job outlook indicates a decline of 1.2%.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 50.0709
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 Sculpture 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
- 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 types of degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Associate's degree, or a short-term award.
What skills will I develop in the Sculpture program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, design, and various sculptural techniques.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a fine artist, art teacher, or craft artist.
What is the job outlook for sculpture graduates?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 1.2%, with about 2,200 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Sculpture?+
Sculpture is CIP 50.0709 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 creating three-dimensional art works. Includes instruction in the analysis of form in space; round and relief concepts; sculptural composition; modern and experimental methods; different media such as clay, plaster, wood, stone, and metal; techniques such as carving, molding, welding, casting, and modeling; and personal style development.
How many institutions offer Sculpture programs?+
38 U.S. institutions reported Sculpture graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 23 states & territories, awarding 230 credentials in the year. That is 0.6% of all Fine and Studio Arts graduates.
How much do Sculpture 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 Sculpture 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 $21,916 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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