by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Art Studies explores Art/art Studies, General. A General Program That Focuses On The Introductory Study And Appreciation Of The Visual Arts. Includes Instruction In Art, Photography, And Other Visual Communications Media. Continue reading for the essential details every art studies student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering art studies programs.
Nationwide, art studies draws strong interest, with 18,711 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Art Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 730 schools to determine the best overall colleges for art studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of art studies programs later in this article.
Studies in Art Studies emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations art studies graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a art studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a art studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several art studies 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 | 4,072 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 3,792 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 10,236 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 607 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 4 |
People currently working in careers related to art studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 30.8% |
| Master’s degree | 23.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 7.2% |
| Some college courses | 6.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 5.1% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 3.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in art studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in art studies can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to art studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to art studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Craft Artists | 402,867 | 5.7% |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | 147,527 | -4.1% |
| Photographers | 81,551 | -3.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of art studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $25,613 |
| 4 years | $36,289 |
| 5 years | $41,536 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for art studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers art studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Craft Artists | $76,826 |
| Photographers | $75,743 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $69,338 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 730 different art studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased art studies school rankings to help you.
Those considering art studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Fine/Studio Arts, General | 12,013 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation | 3,557 |
| Fine Arts and Art Studies, Other | 751 |
| Intermedia/Multimedia | 732 |
| Painting | 607 |
| Jewelry Arts | 483 |
| Drawing | 254 |
| Sculpture | 235 |
| Printmaking | 154 |
| Ceramic Arts and Ceramics | 153 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
