Best colleges for Fine and Studio Arts in Rhode Island
Ranked by graduate earnings
Rhode Island College, Brown University and University of Rhode Island are the top bachelor's Fine and Studio Arts programs in Rhode Island by graduate earnings. Rhode Island College leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $28,241, College Scorecard. Rhode Island School of Design, University of Rhode Island and Brown University award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in Rhode Island: 168, 35 and 24 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 8 Rhode Island colleges offer Fine and Studio Arts and award 300 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Fine and Studio Arts program focuses on the practice and theory of visual arts and design, encompassing various disciplines such as illustration, painting, sculpture, and graphic design. This program is ideal for students who are…
Top 4 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island College Providence Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,241 | 24 | 48% | — | $23,500 |
| 2 | Brown University Providence Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $23,180 | 24 | 96% | $14,644 | $17,300 |
| 3 | University of Rhode Island Kingston Public · Bachelor's degree | $21,167 | 35 | 73% | — | $16,625 |
| 4 | Rhode Island School of Design Providence Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $16,510 | 168 | 89% | $41,764 | $27,000 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Community College of Rhode Island Warwick Public · Associate degree Small program | $18,544 | 18 | 26% | — | $10,250 |
Colleges awarding the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in Rhode Island
Top 7 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island School of Design Providence Private not-for-profit | 168 | $16,510 |
| 2 | University of Rhode Island Kingston Public | 35 | $21,167 |
| 3 | Brown University Providence Private not-for-profit | 24 | $23,180 |
| 4 | Rhode Island College Providence Public | 24 | $28,241 |
| 5 | Salve Regina University Newport Private not-for-profit | 17 | Not reported |
| 6 | Providence College Providence Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 7 | Roger Williams University Bristol Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 Rhode Island colleges offering Fine and Studio Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Rhode Island | Warwick | Public | 18 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators (SOC 27-1013).
Top skills
What Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators earn in Rhode Island
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Fine and Studio Arts programs in Rhode Island.
Which Rhode Island colleges award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees?+
Rhode Island School of Design (168 graduates a year), University of Rhode Island (35 graduates a year) and Brown University (24 graduates a year) award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in Rhode Island, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 8 Rhode Island colleges offer Fine and Studio Arts.
What is the best college for Fine and Studio Arts in Rhode Island?+
By graduate earnings, Rhode Island College leads among bachelor's Fine and Studio Arts programs in Rhode Island, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $28,241, College Scorecard. Brown University and University of Rhode Island follow. By degrees awarded, Rhode Island School of Design is the largest, with 168 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Fine and Studio Arts program in Rhode Island has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Rhode Island College tops the list at $28,241. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
What is the focus of the Fine and Studio Arts program?+
The Fine and Studio Arts program focuses on the practice and theory of visual arts and design, encompassing various disciplines such as illustration, painting, sculpture, and graphic design. This program is ideal for students who are…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, active learning, active listening, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators?+
The national job outlook is about -1.2% growth with around 2,200 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
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.
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