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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Art Studies Schools in Illinois

11 Colleges in the United States
285 Art Studies Degrees Awarded
$32,431 Avg Early-Career Salary

Art Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 40 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for art studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Art Studies in Illinois

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

Top Schools in Art Studies

1

Leading the list is Illinois State University, our #1 school for art studies. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. About 77 art studies degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their art studies degree from Illinois State University earn around $35,967 in the first couple years of their career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $20,125 in student loans. Get the full art studies details for Illinois State University

2

Students looking for a strong art studies program will find one at Eastern Illinois University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. Eastern Illinois University awarded about 58 art studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $40,891. Eastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in art studies from Eastern Illinois University

3

Northern Illinois University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in art studies, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 art studies degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $26,795. Students borrow a median of $25,781 to complete this degree. Get the full art studies details for Northern Illinois University

4

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best art studies schools. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. About 22% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 art studies students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their art studies degree from Northeastern Illinois University earn around $30,845 in the first couple years of their career. Northeastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $20,319 in student loans. Get the full art studies details for Northeastern Illinois University

5

Saint Xavier University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in art studies, ranking #5. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 13 art studies students who graduated with this degree at Saint Xavier University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their art studies degree from Saint Xavier University earn around $51,753 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Xavier University graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. More information about a degree in art studies from Saint Xavier University

6
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage landed the #6 spot for art studies this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. About 13 art studies degrees were awarded at College Of Dupage in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete this degree. See the full art studies program report for College Of Dupage

7
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #7 for art studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 27 art studies degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $27,291. Students borrow a median of $26,999 to complete this degree. Get the full art studies details for Depaul University

8

Western Illinois University landed the #8 spot for art studies this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 45% of students finish within six years. Western Illinois University awarded about 18 art studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the art studies program make about $26,196 in their early career. Western Illinois University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in art studies from Western Illinois University

9

Olivet Nazarene University earned the #9 position for art studies this year. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 art studies degrees were awarded at Olivet Nazarene University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $16,290. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in art studies from Olivet Nazarene University

10

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #10 for art studies this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates 55% of students within six years. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 25 art studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the art studies program make about $25,259 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,280 to complete this degree. Read more about the art studies program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 40 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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