Best colleges for Fine and Studio Arts in West Virginia
Ranked by graduate earnings
Shepherd University, Marshall University and West Virginia University are the top bachelor's Fine and Studio Arts programs in West Virginia by graduate earnings. Shepherd University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $33,059, College Scorecard. West Virginia University, Marshall University and Shepherd University award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in West Virginia: 33, 32 and 20 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 9 West Virginia colleges offer Fine and Studio Arts and award 112 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 3 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 | Shepherd University Shepherdstown Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,059 | 20 | 51% | — | $21,500 |
| 2 | Marshall University Huntington Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,475 | 32 | 51% | — | $25,293 |
| 3 | West Virginia University Morgantown Public · Bachelor's degree | $23,043 | 33 | 65% | — | $24,121 |
Colleges awarding the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in West Virginia
Top 9 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 | West Virginia University Morgantown Public | 33 | $23,043 |
| 2 | Marshall University Huntington Public | 32 | $24,475 |
| 3 | Shepherd University Shepherdstown Public | 20 | $33,059 |
| 4 | Glenville State University Glenville Public | 7 | Not reported |
| 5 | West Virginia State University Institute Public | 6 | Not reported |
| 6 | Concord University Athens Public | 5 | Not reported |
| 7 | West Virginia Wesleyan College Buckhannon Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 8 | Fairmont State University Fairmont Public | 3 | Not reported |
| 9 | Davis & Elkins College Elkins Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
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 West Virginia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Fine and Studio Arts programs in West Virginia.
Which West Virginia colleges award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees?+
West Virginia University (33 graduates a year), Marshall University (32 graduates a year) and Shepherd University (20 graduates a year) award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in West Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 9 West Virginia colleges offer Fine and Studio Arts.
What is the best college for Fine and Studio Arts in West Virginia?+
By graduate earnings, Shepherd University leads among bachelor's Fine and Studio Arts programs in West Virginia, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $33,059, College Scorecard. Marshall University and West Virginia University follow. By degrees awarded, West Virginia University is the largest, with 33 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Fine and Studio Arts program in West Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Shepherd University tops the list at $33,059. 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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