Best Fine and Studio Arts Schools in Illinois

Illinois has 21 colleges offering Fine and Studio Arts programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,037 recent graduates. Graduates earn $26,508 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $25,651.

School choice matters significantly: Illinois State University graduates earn $30,499 while North Central College graduates earn $19,455 — a $11,044 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in IL

$26,508

IL Avg. Earnings

$25,651

National Avg.

559

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Fine and Studio Arts in Illinois

Public Schools (9)

$26,057

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (11)

$27,532

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $1,475 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Fine and Studio Arts Schools in Illinois, Ranked by Earnings

Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public

$30,499

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,519

Graduates: 107

Acceptance: 89.0%

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$22,192

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,981

Graduates: 435

Acceptance: 76.4%

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Carbondale, IL · Public

$22,681

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,354

Graduates: 66

Acceptance: 90.4%

Northeastern Illinois University

Chicago, IL · Public

$28,816

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 70.4%

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, IL · Public

$27,346

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,004

Graduates: 111

Acceptance: 70.5%

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$28,849

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,822

Graduates: 78

Acceptance: 91.2%

University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL · Public

$27,461

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,247

Graduates: 33

Acceptance: 78.5%

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,363

Graduates: 37

Acceptance: 67.8%

Wheaton College

Wheaton, IL · Private

DePaul University

Chicago, IL · Private

$28,960

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $17,798

Graduates: 24

Acceptance: 73.5%

#11

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL · Public

$23,456

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,691

Graduates: 54

Acceptance: 97.2%

#12

Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL · Public

$28,055

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $24,234

Graduates: 36

Acceptance: 75.0%

#13

Bradley University

Peoria, IL · Private

$35,330

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 76.7%

#14

American Academy of Art College

Chicago, IL ·

$19,866

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,217

Graduates: 32

Acceptance: N/A

#15

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL · Private

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, IL · Private

Millikin University

Decatur, IL · Private

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, IL · Private

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, IL · Private

$24,267

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $22,951

Graduates: 24

Acceptance: 66.9%

#20

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

North Central College

Naperville, IL · Private

$19,455

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 58.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Fine and Studio Arts in Illinois?

Illinois State University ranks #1 for Fine and Studio Arts in Illinois with median graduate earnings of $30,499 within two years of graduation. There are 21 schools offering Fine and Studio Arts programs in the state.

How much do Fine and Studio Arts graduates earn in Illinois?

Fine and Studio Arts graduates in Illinois earn an average of $26,508 within two years of graduation. This is 3% above the national average of $25,651 for this major.

What is the hardest Fine and Studio Arts school to get into in Illinois?

Northwestern University is the most selective Fine and Studio Arts program in Illinois with an acceptance rate of 7.1%. The average acceptance rate across Fine and Studio Arts programs in the state is 71.1%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Fine and Studio Arts in Illinois?

In Illinois, private Fine and Studio Arts programs produce average earnings of $27,532 vs $26,057 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 9 public and 11 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Illinois

Chemical Engineering $69,173 Computer Science $66,656 Computer Engineering $65,978 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $64,764 Civil Engineering $61,502 Construction Management $60,021 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering $58,932 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other $57,318

All colleges in Illinois →

Fine and Studio Arts in Other States

New York California Pennsylvania Ohio Texas Massachusetts Michigan North Carolina New Jersey Wisconsin Minnesota Florida View All →

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.