2026 Best Fine And Studio Arts Schools
Looking for the best Fine And Studio Arts programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 1469 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Fine And Studio Arts Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
No school ranked higher than Duke University this year in the United States. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. More on Duke University
A rank of #2 makes University Of Notre Dame one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Students borrow a median of $19,891 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. More on University Of Notre Dame
Out of the 1469 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #3 spot. Located in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,235, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. See the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center profile
The strong Fine And Studio Arts programs at Lafayette College earned it the #4 place in the United States. Set in Easton, PA, Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,648. Lafayette College Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $16,931 in debt. Read the full report on Lafayette College
You'll be in good company at Gemological Institute Of America Carlsbad, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Carlsbad, CA, Gemological Institute Of America Carlsbad is a private not-for-profit institution. Gemological Institute Of America Carlsbad Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $8,233 in debt. Read the full report on Gemological Institute Of America Carlsbad
Gemological Institute Of America New York ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Fine And Studio Arts schools. Based in New York, NY, Gemological Institute Of America New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $8,233 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. Get the full Gemological Institute Of America New York report
Dartmouth College landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit school based in Hanover, NH. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,019. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $13,663. Get the full Dartmouth College report
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $19,198. Get the full California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo report
Emory University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Fine And Studio Arts schools. Based in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Emory University posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $19,431. Read the full report on Emory University
Sothebys Institute Of Art Ny ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Fine And Studio Arts schools. This private for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Read more about Sothebys Institute Of Art Ny
Brandeis University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit school based in Waltham, MA. Brandeis University posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,080. Graduates carry a median of $25,653 in student loans. Read more about Brandeis University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Blacksburg, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,323 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile
Winona State University landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Based in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $24,551. See the full Winona State University profile
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Fine And Studio Arts schools. Based in Bethlehem, PA, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,500. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $27,000. More on Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary
University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #16 among Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. Based in Kearney, NE, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Graduates carry a median of $16,101 in student loans. More on University Of Nebraska At Kearney
James Madison University placed #17 among Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. James Madison University is a public school based in Harrisonburg, VA. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Graduates carry a median of $23,001 in student loans. Get the full James Madison University report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $19,319. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #19 position. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school based in College Park, MD. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $20,000. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
Sacred Heart University landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Sacred Heart University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fairfield, CT. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $50,404. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. Read more about Sacred Heart University
Southern Methodist University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Set in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. Read more about Southern Methodist University
North Dakota State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #22 position. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public school based in Fargo, ND. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,153 in student loans. See the full North Dakota State University Main Campus profile
Northwestern University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Fine And Studio Arts schools. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Northwestern University Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. Read the full report on Northwestern University
University Of Georgia landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Based in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $21,947 in student loans. See the full University Of Georgia profile
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Based in Long Island City, NY, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $8,750. Read the full report on Cuny Laguardia Community College
Vassar College landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Set in Poughkeepsie, NY, Vassar College is a private not-for-profit institution. Vassar College posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,030. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $18,985. Read more about Vassar College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Fine And Studio Arts Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Williams College landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Set in Williamstown, MA, Williams College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Williams College Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $11,850 in debt. More on Williams College
The College Of New Jersey ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Fine And Studio Arts schools. Based in Ewing, NJ, The College Of New Jersey is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $19,632 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. Read the full report on The College Of New Jersey
St Marys College Of Maryland ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Fine And Studio Arts schools. This public school is set in St. Mary's City, MD. St Marys College Of Maryland posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. Students from in state pay about $15,298 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,374. St Marys College Of Maryland Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $22,655 in debt. See the full St Marys College Of Maryland profile
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Fine And Studio Arts schools. Set in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. The University Of Texas At Austin Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $24,057 in debt. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
Illinois State University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Normal, IL. About 64% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Illinois State University Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $20,125 in debt. See the full Illinois State University profile
Skidmore College came in at #32 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saratoga Springs, NY. About 83% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,140. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. Get the full Skidmore College report
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #33 among Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Columbia, MO. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. University Of Missouri Columbia Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $22,000 in debt. See the full University Of Missouri Columbia profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $13,667. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,517. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $26,853. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $19,316 in debt. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
University Of California Berkeley ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Fine And Studio Arts schools. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $13,254. More on University Of California Berkeley
Concordia College At Moorhead did well this year, earning the #38 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Moorhead, MN. Concordia College At Moorhead graduates 61% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $31,170. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $27,000. See the full Concordia College At Moorhead profile
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Carnegie Mellon University Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. Read the full report on Carnegie Mellon University
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #40 among Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. Based in Kingsville, TX, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a public institution. About 42% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $25,531. Get the full Texas A And M University Kingsville report
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. University Of Virginia Main Campus Fine And Studio Arts students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
Drake University landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Drake University is a private not-for-profit school based in Des Moines, IA. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $51,960. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. Get the full Drake University report
Towson University landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Towson, MD. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $17,978. See the full Towson University profile
University Of Utah placed #44 among Fine And Studio Arts schools in the United States. Located in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $23,506 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. More on University Of Utah
Eastern Illinois University landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Charleston, IL. Eastern Illinois University graduates 47% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Eastern Illinois University
University Of Nebraska At Omaha did well this year, earning the #46 position. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public school based in Omaha, NE. University Of Nebraska At Omaha graduates 49% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,202 in student loans. See the full University Of Nebraska At Omaha profile
Boston College did well this year, earning the #47 position. Based in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Boston College posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. Students from in state pay about $70,702 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete their Fine And Studio Arts program here. Read the full report on Boston College
Truman State University came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Truman State University is a public school based in Kirksville, MO. Truman State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $27,000. Get the full Truman State University report
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public school based in Stillwater, OK. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. The median Fine And Studio Arts program debt is $21,111. Read more about Oklahoma State University Main Campus
University Of Iowa landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Set in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical Fine And Studio Arts student debt is $27,000. Read the full report on University Of Iowa
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #51 on our 2026 list of the best Fine And Studio Arts schools. Based in West Chester, PA, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. More on West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
Best Fine And Studio Arts Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Fine And Studio Arts Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Fine And Studio Arts Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Fine And Studio Arts Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Fine And Studio Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Fine And Studio Arts Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Fine And Studio Arts Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Fine And Studio Arts Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1469 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).