Most Selective Highest Earnings Best Value Free Tuition UK Universities

Best Schools for Fine and Studio Arts

Fine and Studio Arts graduates earn a median of $41,837 within four years of graduating, ranking #267 out of 283 tracked majors — 33% below the median across all fields. There are 542 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 22,882 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: University of Southern California graduates earn $72,428 while University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez graduates earn $16,981 — a $55,447 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Early career salary growth is modest: Fine and Studio Arts graduates see an average 4% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

542

Schools

$41,837

Avg. 2yr Earnings

#267

of 283 Majors

22,882

Graduates

Public vs Private: Fine and Studio Arts

Public (348 schools)

$41,685

avg. 2yr earnings

Private (193 schools)

$43,107

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $1,422 more in early earnings on average for Fine and Studio Arts graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Top Fine and Studio Arts Schools by Graduate Earnings

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

2yr: $37,208 (97)

1yr: $28,913 (67)

Acceptance: 10.0%

Dartmouth College

Hanover, NH · Private

18 grads · small sample

1yr: $35,235 (29)

Acceptance: 6.2%

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI · Public

2yr: $32,996 (120)

1yr: $32,738 (119)

Acceptance: 17.9%

Vassar College

Poughkeepsie, NY · Private

16 grads · small sample

2yr: $35,600 (20)

1yr: $32,522 (19)

Acceptance: 17.7%

Sacred Heart University

Fairfield, CT · Private

21 grads · small sample

1yr: $42,516 (18)

Acceptance: 67.7%

Connecticut College

New London, CT · Private

21 grads · small sample

2yr: $32,925 (16)

Acceptance: 38.3%

Brown University

Providence, RI · Private

22 grads · small sample

2yr: $32,925 (24)

Acceptance: 5.2%

Ramapo College of New Jersey

Mahwah, NJ · Public

28 grads · small sample

2yr: $27,048 (32)

1yr: $30,233 (45)

Acceptance: 73.2%

Fordham University

Bronx, NY · Private

2yr: $39,369 (37)

1yr: $28,927 (48)

Acceptance: 56.3%

Binghamton University

Vestal, NY · Public

2yr: $28,960 (51)

1yr: $28,921 (60)

Acceptance: 37.7%

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

2yr: $45,082 (43)

1yr: $39,354 (58)

Acceptance: 29.8%

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public

2yr: $30,409 (37)

1yr: $32,060 (41)

Acceptance: 57.0%

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, CA · Private

2yr: $36,848 (40)

1yr: $24,503 (46)

Acceptance: 40.3%

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, PA · Public

2yr: $32,925 (30)

1yr: $27,727 (58)

Acceptance: 49.7%

CUNY Hunter College

New York, NY · Public

2yr: $23,233 (75)

1yr: $23,629 (70)

Acceptance: 54.0%

Miami University-Oxford

Oxford, OH · Public

20 grads · small sample

2yr: $26,585 (22)

1yr: $25,215 (18)

Acceptance: 82.1%

University of Maryland-College Park

College Park, MD · Public

2yr: $36,048 (82)

1yr: $35,028 (73)

Acceptance: 44.8%

Marist University

Poughkeepsie, NY · Private

2yr: $40,697 (54)

1yr: $25,920 (46)

Acceptance: 64.7%

Manhattanville University

Purchase, NY · Private

18 grads · small sample

2yr: $23,803 (18)

Acceptance: 84.7%

Williams College

Williamstown, MA · Private

16 grads · small sample

2yr: $38,289 (31)

1yr: $25,993 (24)

Acceptance: 10.0%

Bridgewater College

Bridgewater, VA · Private

22 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 90.8%

Howard University

Washington, DC · Private

19 grads · small sample

2yr: $20,140 (27)

1yr: $28,764 (21)

Acceptance: 34.9%

University of Virginia-Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA · Public

27 grads · small sample

2yr: $40,312 (26)

1yr: $24,937 (20)

Acceptance: 16.9%

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA · Public

2yr: $35,416 (80)

1yr: $33,065 (92)

Acceptance: 76.3%

Moravian University

Bethlehem, PA · Private

16 grads · small sample

2yr: $35,060 (14)

1yr: $35,742 (27)

Acceptance: 54.0%

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC · Public

16 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 39.9%

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, WA · Public

2yr: $27,181 (129)

1yr: $30,294 (66)

Acceptance: 42.5%

University of Washington-Bothell Campus

Bothell, WA · Public

2yr: $27,181 (129)

1yr: $30,294 (66)

Acceptance: 91.8%

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA · Private

21 grads · small sample

2yr: $20,140 (13)

1yr: $25,870 (24)

Acceptance: 11.4%

St Lawrence University

Canton, NY · Private

20 grads · small sample

2yr: $26,353 (14)

Acceptance: 58.5%

Kenyon College

Gambier, OH · Private

21 grads · small sample

2yr: $25,967 (13)

1yr: $18,841 (19)

Acceptance: 30.7%

Skidmore College

Saratoga Springs, NY · Private

28 grads · small sample

2yr: $34,704 (22)

1yr: $33,302 (38)

Acceptance: 22.9%

University of Georgia

Athens, GA · Public

2yr: $27,015 (143)

1yr: $31,407 (132)

Acceptance: 37.2%

University of Vermont

Burlington, VT · Public

2yr: $26,121 (36)

1yr: $21,797 (29)

Acceptance: 60.0%

University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Lowell, MA · Public

2yr: $31,851 (28)

1yr: $30,705 (51)

Acceptance: 85.2%

Rutgers University-Camden

Camden, NJ · Public

2yr: $29,374 (77)

1yr: $29,120 (182)

Acceptance: 77.8%

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

New Brunswick, NJ · Public

2yr: $29,374 (77)

1yr: $29,120 (182)

Acceptance: 65.3%

Rutgers University-Newark

Newark, NJ · Public

2yr: $29,374 (77)

1yr: $29,120 (182)

Acceptance: 78.7%

Oklahoma State University-Main Campus

Stillwater, OK · Public

2yr: $25,194 (18)

1yr: $32,029 (40)

Acceptance: 70.9%

Texas Woman's University

Denton, TX · Public

2yr: $31,762 (42)

1yr: $26,074 (40)

Acceptance: 95.0%

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

2yr: $31,708 (49)

1yr: $27,475 (53)

Acceptance: 11.7%

Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public

2yr: $30,499 (63)

1yr: $32,519 (107)

Acceptance: 89.0%

University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, MO · Public

2yr: $29,374 (49)

1yr: $34,933 (53)

Acceptance: 77.0%

The College of New Jersey

Ewing, NJ · Public

2yr: $36,938 (53)

1yr: $28,767 (82)

Acceptance: 62.1%

University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT · Public

2yr: $28,598 (31)

1yr: $28,740 (46)

Acceptance: 53.9%

University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

Waterbury, CT · Public

2yr: $28,598 (31)

1yr: $28,740 (46)

Acceptance: 87.0%

University of Connecticut-Avery Point

Groton, CT · Public

2yr: $28,598 (31)

1yr: $28,740 (46)

Acceptance: 86.5%

University of Connecticut-Stamford

Stamford, CT · Public

2yr: $28,598 (31)

1yr: $28,740 (46)

Acceptance: 80.2%

University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus

Hartford, CT · Public

2yr: $28,598 (31)

1yr: $28,740 (46)

Acceptance: 86.5%

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX · Public

2yr: $29,322 (67)

1yr: $31,264 (66)

Acceptance: 70.9%

Showing top 50 of 542 schools. View all or filter by state above.

Majors with Similar Earnings

Anthropology $25,951 Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology $25,939 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services $25,901 Religion/Religious Studies $25,898 Natural Resources and Conservation, Other $25,851 Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs $25,454

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Fine and Studio Arts?

University of Southern California ranks #1 for Fine and Studio Arts with median graduate earnings of $72,428 within four years of graduating. There are 542 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do Fine and Studio Arts graduates earn?

Fine and Studio Arts graduates earn an average of $41,837 within four years of graduating. This is 33% below the median across all majors. Earnings range from $16,981 to $72,428 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top Fine and Studio Arts program?

The average acceptance rate across Fine and Studio Arts programs is 71.4%. The most selective program is at Columbia University in the City of New York with a 4.2% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Is a public or private school better for Fine and Studio Arts?

Private Fine and Studio Arts programs average $43,107 in early earnings vs $41,685 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

Get Fine and Studio Arts Career Insights

We're building major-specific salary reports with ROI by school. Be the first to get yours.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.