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Featured Illustration Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Schools for Illustration in the United States
Below are the best illustration schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.
Top Schools in Illustration
No school ranked higher than Boston University this year for illustration. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 illustration students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the illustration program make about $49,254 in their early career. Boston University graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in illustration from Boston University
Maryland Institute College Of Art is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in illustration, landing the #2 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Maryland Institute College Of Art awarded about 31 illustration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the illustration program make about $70,027 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full illustration program report for Maryland Institute College Of Art
Students looking for a strong illustration program will find one at Rhode Island School Of Design, which ranked #3. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Rhode Island School Of Design awarded about 15 illustration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Rhode Island School Of Design generally make around $29,489. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the illustration program at Rhode Island School Of Design
A rank of #4 makes Fashion Institute Of Technology one of the top schools for illustration. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of New York. There were roughly 17 illustration students who graduated with this degree at Fashion Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Fashion Institute Of Technology generally make around $20,692. Fashion Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in illustration from Fashion Institute Of Technology
Pratt Institute Main came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best illustration schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 104 illustration students who graduated with this degree at Pratt Institute Main in the most recent data year. Graduates of the illustration program make about $45,720 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
Get the full illustration details for Pratt Institute Main
The New School earned the #6 position for illustration this year. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The New School graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 75 illustration students who graduated with this degree at The New School in the most recent data year. Students who receive their illustration degree from The New School earn around $39,393 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,606 to complete this degree.
Read more about the illustration program at The New School
Syracuse University came in at #7 for illustration this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 illustration students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $46,181. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full illustration program report for Syracuse University
School Of Visual Arts landed the #8 spot for illustration this year. This mid-sized private for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. School Of Visual Arts awarded about 28 illustration degrees in the most recent data year. Illustration graduates of School Of Visual Arts earn a median of $48,325 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the illustration program at School Of Visual Arts
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #9 among the best illustration schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 139 illustration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the illustration program make about $46,439 in their early career. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $25,937 in student loans.
See the full illustration program report for Virginia Commonwealth University
Art Center College Of Design ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best illustration schools. Art Center College Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. Art Center College Of Design graduates 79% of students within six years. Art Center College Of Design awarded about 140 illustration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the illustration program make about $47,053 in their early career. Art Center College Of Design graduates carry a median of $31,050 in student loans.
Read more about the illustration program at Art Center College Of Design
Savannah College Of Art And Design ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best illustration schools. Savannah College Of Art And Design is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Savannah. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 119 illustration degrees were awarded at Savannah College Of Art And Design in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Savannah College Of Art And Design generally make around $40,987. Savannah College Of Art And Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in illustration from Savannah College Of Art And Design
University Of Hartford came in at #12 for illustration this year. University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 illustration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Hartford in the most recent data year. Students who receive their illustration degree from University Of Hartford earn around $29,515 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full illustration details for University Of Hartford
California College Of The Arts ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best illustration schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, California College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 36 illustration degrees were awarded at California College Of The Arts in the most recent year. Graduates of the illustration program make about $28,673 in their early career. California College Of The Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in illustration from California College Of The Arts
College For Creative Studies earned the #14 position for illustration this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Detroit. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. College For Creative Studies awarded about 46 illustration degrees in the most recent data year. Illustration graduates of College For Creative Studies earn a median of $32,665 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
See the full illustration program report for College For Creative Studies
Pacific Northwest College Of Art ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best illustration schools. Set in the city of Portland, Pacific Northwest College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit institution. Pacific Northwest College Of Art graduates 29% of students within six years. Pacific Northwest College Of Art awarded about 26 illustration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their illustration degree from Pacific Northwest College Of Art earn around $19,501 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,899.
See the full illustration program report for Pacific Northwest College Of Art
Academy Of Art University came in at #16 for illustration this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. Academy Of Art University graduates 34% of students within six years. About 42 illustration degrees were awarded at Academy Of Art University in the most recent year. Students who receive their illustration degree from Academy Of Art University earn around $38,358 in the first couple years of their career. Academy Of Art University graduates carry a median of $33,312 in student loans.
More information about a degree in illustration from Academy Of Art University
Other Illustration Degree Levels
Explore the best illustration schools at other degree levels:
