Best colleges for Fine and Studio Arts in Tennessee
Ranked by graduate earnings
Middle Tennessee State University, University of Memphis and The University of Tennessee-Knoxville are the top bachelor's Fine and Studio Arts programs in Tennessee by graduate earnings. Middle Tennessee State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $29,084, College Scorecard. University of Memphis, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga and Middle Tennessee State University award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in Tennessee: 86, 74 and 60 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 24 Tennessee colleges offer Fine and Studio Arts and award 489 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 8 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 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,084 | 60 | 54% | — | $24,760 |
| 2 | University of Memphis Memphis Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,451 | 86 | 51% | — | $28,850 |
| 3 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,661 | 46 | 74% | — | $27,000 |
| 4 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga Public · Bachelor's degree | $21,766 | 74 | 50% | — | $25,000 |
| 5 | Tennessee Technological University Cookeville Public · Bachelor's degree | $19,231 | 29 | 58% | — | $13,935 |
| 6 | Austin Peay State University Clarksville Public · Bachelor's degree | $19,157 | 49 | 40% | — | $24,750 |
| 7 | Lee University Cleveland Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $26,598 | 13 | 63% | $18,918 | $29,750 |
| 8 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $16,696 | 18 | 53% | — | $23,875 |
Colleges awarding the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in Tennessee
Top 10 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 | University of Memphis Memphis Public | 86 | $26,451 |
| 2 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga Public | 74 | $21,766 |
| 3 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro Public | 60 | $29,084 |
| 4 | Austin Peay State University Clarksville Public | 49 | $19,157 |
| 5 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville Public | 46 | $23,661 |
| 6 | Tennessee Technological University Cookeville Public | 29 | $19,231 |
| 7 | Vanderbilt University Nashville Private not-for-profit | 19 | Not reported |
| 8 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City Public | 18 | $16,696 |
| 9 | The University of the South Sewanee Private not-for-profit | 17 | Not reported |
| 10 | Belmont University Nashville Private not-for-profit | 15 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 14 Tennessee colleges offering Fine and Studio Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lee University | Cleveland | Private not-for-profit | 13 |
| Rhodes College | Memphis | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| Tennessee State University | Nashville | Public | 9 |
| Christian Brothers University | Memphis | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Freed-Hardeman University | Henderson | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Union University | Jackson | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Lipscomb University | Nashville | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Cumberland University | Lebanon | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Maryville College | Maryville | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Southern Adventist University | Collegedale | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Le Moyne-Owen College | Memphis | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Lincoln Memorial University | Harrogate | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Carson-Newman University | Jefferson City | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Milligan University | Milligan | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
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 Tennessee
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Fine and Studio Arts programs in Tennessee.
Which Tennessee colleges award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees?+
University of Memphis (86 graduates a year), The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (74 graduates a year) and Middle Tennessee State University (60 graduates a year) award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in Tennessee, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 24 Tennessee colleges offer Fine and Studio Arts.
What is the best college for Fine and Studio Arts in Tennessee?+
By graduate earnings, Middle Tennessee State University leads among bachelor's Fine and Studio Arts programs in Tennessee, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $29,084, College Scorecard. University of Memphis and The University of Tennessee-Knoxville follow. By degrees awarded, University of Memphis is the largest, with 86 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Fine and Studio Arts program in Tennessee has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Middle Tennessee State University tops the list at $29,084. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators earn in Tennessee?+
The average annual wage for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in Tennessee is $39,200 (median $30,720), across about 100 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
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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