by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Media Arts involves the study of Digital Communication And Media/multimedia. A Program That Focuses On The Development, Use, Critical Evaluation, And Regulation Of New Electronic Communication Technologies Using Computer Applications; And That Prepares Individuals To Function As Developers And Managers Of Digital Communications Media. Includes Instruction In Computer And Telecommunications Technologies And Processes; Design And Development Of Digital Communications; Marketing And Distribution; Digital Communications Regulation, Law, And Policy; The Study Of Human Interaction With, And Use Of, Digital Media; And Emerging Trends And Issues. Examples: [Digital Media]. Read on to learn the essential details every media arts student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering media arts programs.
In the U.S., media arts is a widely-pursued major, with 11,282 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Media Arts Schools ranking analyzes these 400 schools to determine the best overall colleges for media arts students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of media arts programs later in this article.
Studies in Media Arts emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations media arts graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a media arts program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a media arts major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several media arts degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 352 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 413 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 6,490 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3,917 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 93 |
People currently working in careers related to media arts tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 34.6% |
| Master’s degree | 34.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 7.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 5.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 4.6% |
| Some college courses | 2.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in media arts careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in media arts can lead to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to media arts.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to media arts.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | 919,494 | -1.5% |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | 509,308 | 13.0% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Video Game Designers | 207,860 | 2.6% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | 164,697 | 10.8% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of media arts graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $30,213 |
| 4 years | $40,945 |
| 5 years | $47,545 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for media arts graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers media arts grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $96,169 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $88,198 |
With 400 different media arts programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased media arts school rankings to help you.
Those considering media arts, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Radio and Television | 5,653 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, Other | 878 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
