Best institutions to study Art Therapy/Therapist
A program that prepares individuals, in consultation with other rehabilitation team members or in private practice, to use drawing and other art media forms to assess, treat, and rehabilitate individuals with mental, emotional, developmental, or physical disorders.
62 U.S. institutions graduated 675 Art Therapy/Therapist students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.2301, a specialization of Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (CIP 51.23), and leads most directly to the Therapists, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 29-1129).
About Art Therapy/Therapist programs
A program that prepares individuals, in consultation with other rehabilitation team members or in private practice, to use drawing and other art media forms to assess, treat, and rehabilitate individuals with mental, emotional, developmental, or physical disorders. Includes instruction in art, history and theory of art therapy, art therapeutic techniques, psychopathology, patient assessment and diagnosis, cultural diversity issues, legal and ethical practice issues, and professional standards and regulations.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Art Therapy/Therapist program prepares individuals to use creative expression as a therapeutic tool for those facing mental, emotional, developmental, or physical challenges. This program is designed for students interested in integrating art into rehabilitation practices, working collaboratively with other professionals in the field or in private practice.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in art therapy techniques, psychopathology, patient assessment, and legal and ethical issues related to practice. Coursework typically includes the history and theory of art therapy, as well as cultural diversity considerations.
Credentials awarded
What Art Therapy/Therapist graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree452 graduates / yr · 31 institutions67%
- Bachelor's degree169 graduates / yr · 35 institutions25%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years22 graduates / yr · 2 institutions3.3%
- Post-master's certificate19 graduates / yr · 4 institutions2.8%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship8 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.2%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year4 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.6%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Art Therapy/Therapist completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 602 |
| 2013 | 657 |
| 2014 | 663 |
| 2015 | 707 |
| 2016 | 776 |
| 2017 | 731 |
| 2018 | 712 |
| 2019 | 708 |
| 2020 | 710 |
| 2021 | 844 |
| 2022 | 758 |
| 2023 | 693 |
| 2024 | 756 |
| 2025 | 675 |
Top 50 institutions for Art Therapy/Therapist, 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 | Adler University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 48 | — | — | — |
| 2 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 24 | 88% | $29,023 | — |
| 3 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 23 | 84% | $29,789 | — |
| 4 | Southwestern College Santa Fe, NMPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 22 | — | — | — |
| 5 | Marywood University Scranton, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 22 | 72% | $21,769 | — |
| 6 | Saint Mary - of - the - Woods College Saint Mary of the Woods, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 21 | 47% | $43,857 | $35,301 |
| 7 | Nazareth University Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 21 | 73% | $27,945 | $39,739 |
| 8 | Lewis & Clark College Portland, ORPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 21 | 75% | $27,621 | — |
| 9 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 21 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
| 10 | Dominican University of California San Rafael, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 20 | 78% | $48,448 | — |
| 11 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsMaster's | 20 | 54% | — | $31,108 |
| 12 | Pratt Institute - Main Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 20 | 74% | $49,088 | — |
| 13 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicMaster's | 19 | 86% | — | — |
| 14 | School of Visual Arts New York, NYPrivate for-profitMaster's | 19 | 76% | $58,518 | — |
| 15 | Mount Mary University Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral (prof.) | 19 | 43% | $18,836 | — |
| 16 | Emporia State University Emporia, KSPublicMaster's | 18 | 56% | — | — |
| 17 | Seton Hill University Greensburg, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 18 | 67% | $19,887 | — |
| 18 | School of the Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 17 | 67% | $48,998 | — |
| 19 | Edgewood University Madison, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 16 | 60% | $23,822 | — |
| 20 | Adler Graduate School Minnetonka, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 16 | — | — | — |
| 21 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicBachelor's | 15 | 75% | — | $40,085 |
| 22 | Cedar Crest College Allentown, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 14 | 60% | $22,721 | — |
| 23 | Old Dominion University Norfolk, VAPublicMaster's | 14 | 46% | — | — |
| 24 | West Liberty University West Liberty, WVPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 14 | 60% | — | — |
| 25 | Springfield College Springfield, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 12 | 74% | $26,290 | — |
| 26 | Albertus Magnus College New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 11 | 51% | $32,574 | — |
| 27 | Lesley University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 58% | $30,837 | $28,787 |
| 28 | Long Island University Brookville, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 11 | 57% | $24,639 | — |
| 29 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 11 | 75% | — | — |
| 30 | University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 56% | $18,930 | — |
| 31 | Naropa University Boulder, COPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 37% | $30,558 | — |
| 32 | Prescott College Prescott, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 56% | $23,166 | — |
| 33 | The University of Tampa Tampa, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 64% | $33,070 | — |
| 34 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, ILPublicMaster's | 7 | 57% | — | — |
| 35 | Notre Dame of Maryland University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 7 | 50% | $24,333 | — |
| 36 | Emmanuel College Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 68% | $29,723 | — |
| 37 | Hofstra University Hempstead, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 69% | $34,539 | — |
| 38 | Ursuline College Pepper Pike, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 67% | $18,312 | — |
| 39 | Caldwell University Caldwell, NJPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 57% | $21,902 | — |
| 40 | Mercyhurst University Erie, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 60% | $25,987 | — |
| 41 | Pennsylvania Western University California, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 6 | 52% | — | — |
| 42 | Concordia University - Nebraska Seward, NEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 65% | $22,390 | — |
| 43 | Capital University Columbus, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 60% | $22,920 | — |
| 44 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 84% | $28,851 | — |
| 45 | Arcadia University Glenside, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 67% | $23,796 | — |
| 46 | Piedmont University Demorest, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 47% | $20,049 | — |
| 47 | Concordia University - Chicago River Forest, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 36% | $17,620 | — |
| 48 | University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 55% | $20,012 | — |
| 49 | Bethel University Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 71% | $25,225 | — |
| 50 | Webster University Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 64% | $25,090 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions field (CIP 51.23) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 26 states
Where Art Therapy/Therapist graduates come from. Each state links to all Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1129, Therapists, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Art Therapy/Therapist program can pursue careers as therapists, with a strong job outlook projected at 11.5% growth and approximately 4,100 annual openings. The median wage for this field is $65,010, with a typical education requirement of a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.2301
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Therapists, All Otherprimary SOC 29-1129 | $77,930 | +11.5% Much faster than average | ~4,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Related careers
Other Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions specializations
The 16 other 6-digit CIP codes under Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (CIP 51.23).
- Physical Therapy/CIP 51.2308
Therapist 13,795 graduates / yr277 institutions - Occupational Therapy/CIP 51.2306
Therapist 9,796 graduates / yr250 institutions - Rehabilitation ScienceCIP 51.23141,023 graduates / yr47 institutions
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling/CIP 51.2310
Counselor 935 graduates / yr58 institutions - Therapeutic Recreation/CIP 51.2309
Recreational Therapy 640 graduates / yr49 institutions - Music Therapy/CIP 51.2305
Therapist 635 graduates / yr70 institutions - Rehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsCIP 51.2399582 graduates / yr38 institutions
- Orthotist/CIP 51.2307
Prosthetist 302 graduates / yr17 institutions - Animal-Assisted TherapyCIP 51.2313108 graduates / yr13 institutions
- Kinesiotherapy/CIP 51.2311
Kinesiotherapist partial data96 graduates / yr6 institutions - Play Therapy/CIP 51.2317
Therapist partial data93 graduates / yr6 institutions - Assistive/CIP 51.2312
Augmentative Technology and Rehabilitation Engineering partial data52 graduates / yr8 institutions - Rehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsCIP 51.2300partial data51 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Dance Therapy/CIP 51.2302
Therapist partial data39 graduates / yr5 institutions - Horticulture Therapy/CIP 51.2316
Therapist limited data11 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Drama Therapy/
Therapist51.2315
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, Bachelor's degree, or an award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 62 colleges offering the Art Therapy/Therapist program across the United States.
What is the job outlook for art therapists?+
The job outlook for art therapists is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 11.5%.
What is the median wage for art therapists?+
The median wage for art therapists is $65,010.
What is the CIP code for Art Therapy/Therapist?+
Art Therapy/Therapist is CIP 51.2301 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (CIP 51.23). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals, in consultation with other rehabilitation team members or in private practice, to use drawing and other art media forms to assess, treat, and rehabilitate individuals with mental, emotional, developmental, or physical disorders. Includes instruction in art, history and theory of art therapy, art therapeutic techniques, psychopathology, patient assessment and diagnosis, cultural diversity issues, legal and ethical practice issues, and professional standards and regulations.
How many institutions offer Art Therapy/Therapist programs?+
62 U.S. institutions reported Art Therapy/Therapist graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 26 states, awarding 675 credentials in the year. That is 2.3% of all Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions graduates.
How much do Art Therapy/Therapist graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Therapists, All Other occupation, which Art Therapy/Therapist most directly leads to, pays a median of $77,930 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions field report median earnings of $35,301 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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