by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Fine Arts involves the study of Fine/studio Arts, General. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Generally Function As Creative Artists In The Visual And Plastic Media. Includes Instruction In The Traditional Fine Arts Media (Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, Cad/cam) And/or Modern Media (Ceramics, Textiles, Intermedia, Photography, Digital Images), Theory Of Art, Color Theory, Composition And Perspective, Anatomy, The Techniques And Procedures For Maintaining Equipment And Managing A Studio, And Art Portfolio Marketing. Continue reading for the key facts every fine arts major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering fine arts programs.
In the U.S., fine arts is a popular field of study, with 12,013 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Fine Arts Schools ranking analyzes these 655 schools to determine the best overall colleges for fine arts students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of fine arts programs later in this article.
Coursework for Fine Arts emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations fine arts graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a fine arts program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a fine arts major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several fine arts 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 | 49 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 936 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 9,731 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,296 |
People currently working in careers related to fine arts tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 43.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 27.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 16.8% |
| Some college courses | 5.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.6% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in fine arts careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in fine arts can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to fine arts.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to fine arts.
| 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% |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | 147,527 | -4.1% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of fine arts 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 fine arts graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers fine arts grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,610 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $69,338 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 655 different fine arts programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased fine arts school rankings to help you.
Those considering fine arts, 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 |
| 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.
