by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Illustration explores Illustration. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Use Artistic Techniques To Develop And Execute Interpretations Of The Concepts Of Authors And Designers To Specifications. Includes Instruction In Book Illustration, Fashion Illustration, Map Illustration, Rendering, Exhibit Preparation, Textual Layout, Cartooning, And The Use Of Various Artistic Techniques As Requested By Clients. Read on to learn the essential details every illustration student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering illustration programs.
Nationwide, illustration is a popular field of study, with 3,192 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Illustration Schools ranking analyzes these 68 schools to determine the best overall colleges for illustration students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of illustration programs later in this article.
Studies in Illustration build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations illustration graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a illustration program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a illustration major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several illustration 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 | 35 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 252 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,579 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 326 |
People currently working in careers related to illustration tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 47.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 26.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 18.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.1% |
| Some college courses | 2.0% |
| First professional degree | 1.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.6% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in illustration careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in illustration prepares you for many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to illustration.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to illustration.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | 427,793 | 13.9% |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | 253,386 | -2.7% |
| Designers, All Other | 45,592 | 3.0% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of illustration graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,054 |
| 4 years | $41,389 |
| 5 years | $46,982 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for illustration graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers illustration grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $109,049 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,610 |
| Designers, All Other | $73,407 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 68 different illustration programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased illustration school rankings to help you.
Students interested in illustration, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Graphic Design | 10,676 |
| Design and Visual Communications, General | 6,186 |
| Interior Design | 5,651 |
| Fashion/Apparel Design | 3,186 |
| Commercial and Advertising Art | 2,987 |
| Game and Interactive Media Design | 2,986 |
| Design and Applied Arts, Other | 1,640 |
| Industrial and Product Design | 1,395 |
| Commercial Photography | 899 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
