by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Ceramic Arts & Ceramics covers Ceramic Arts And Ceramics. A Program That Prepares Individuals Creatively And Technically To Express Emotions, Ideas, Or Inner Visions By Producing Art Works Out Of Clay And Similar Materials. Includes Instruction In Handbuilt And Wheelthrown Techniques; Molding; Slips And Glazes; Trimming And Decorating; Firing And Kiln Operation; Oxidation; Mixed Media; Ceramic Murals; And Personal Style Development. Read on to learn the essential details every ceramic arts & ceramics major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering ceramic arts & ceramics programs.
Across the country, ceramic arts & ceramics is a popular field of study, with 153 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Ceramic Arts & Ceramics Schools ranking analyzes these 46 schools to determine the best overall colleges for ceramic arts & ceramics students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of ceramic arts & ceramics programs later in this article.
Programs in Ceramic Arts & Ceramics build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations ceramic arts & ceramics graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a ceramic arts & ceramics program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a ceramic arts & ceramics major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several ceramic arts & ceramics 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 | 5 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 16 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 68 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 64 |
People currently working in careers related to ceramic arts & ceramics tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 32.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 20.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 14.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 9.3% |
| Some college courses | 8.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 4.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.9% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in ceramic arts & ceramics careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying ceramic arts & ceramics opens doors to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to ceramic arts & ceramics.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to ceramic arts & ceramics.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
| Craft Artists | 402,867 | 5.7% |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | 147,527 | -4.1% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of ceramic arts & ceramics graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise 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 ceramic arts & ceramics graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers ceramic arts & ceramics grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Craft Artists | $76,826 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $69,338 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 46 different ceramic arts & ceramics programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased ceramic arts & ceramics school rankings to help you.
Those considering ceramic arts & ceramics, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Art/Art Studies, General | 18,711 |
| 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 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
