by our College Data Analytics TeamFine Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 42 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for fine arts students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the fine arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than Illinois State University this year for fine arts. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Illinois State University awarded about 21 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $35,967 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,125. See the full fine arts program report for Illinois State University
Loyola University Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in fine arts, ranking #2. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521. See the full fine arts program report for Loyola University Chicago
Students looking for a strong fine arts program will find one at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 29 fine arts degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $28,669 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,356. Get the full fine arts details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Students looking for a strong fine arts program will find one at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #4. 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. Northern Illinois University awarded about 61 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $26,795 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,781. More information about a degree in fine arts from Northern Illinois University
University Of Illinois At Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in fine arts, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 37 fine arts degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $21,954. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full fine arts program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago
Columbia College Chicago earned the #6 position for fine arts this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Columbia College Chicago graduates 52% of students within six years. About 32 fine arts degrees were awarded at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $22,765. Columbia College Chicago graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine arts from Columbia College Chicago
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #7 position for fine arts this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 39 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $33,285 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in fine arts from Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #8 spot for fine arts this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 20 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $25,259. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $27,280 in student loans. See the full fine arts program report for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago earned the #9 position for fine arts this year. School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 884 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago earn around $24,253 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the fine arts program at School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago
Southwestern Illinois College landed the #10 spot for fine arts this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Belleville. About 12 fine arts degrees were awarded at Southwestern Illinois College in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $44,345 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,388. Get the full fine arts details for Southwestern Illinois College
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 42 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.