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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Art Education Schools in Illinois

11 Colleges in the United States
62 Art Education Degrees Awarded
$52,844 Avg Early-Career Salary

Art Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best art education schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Art Education in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall art education education in Illinois.

Top Schools in Art Education

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign this year for art education. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 art education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $51,105. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in art education from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

2
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in art education, ranking #2. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. Depaul University awarded about 14 art education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, art education degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $52,130. Students borrow a median of $26,910 to complete this degree. See the full art education program report for Depaul University

3

Students looking for a strong art education program will find one at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 art education students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their art education degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $51,839 in the first couple years of their career. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $26,746 in student loans. See the full art education program report for Northern Illinois University

4

School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best art education schools. Set in the city of Chicago, School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 10 art education degrees were awarded at School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the art education program make about $56,302 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the art education program at School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 16 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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