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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Fine Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

49 Colleges in the United States
2,141 Fine Arts Degrees Awarded
$31,726 Avg Early-Career Salary

Fine Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 136 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best fine arts schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Fine Arts in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall fine arts education in the Middle Atlantic Region.

Top Schools in Fine Arts

1

University Of Maryland College Park tops our 2026 ranking of the best fine arts schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 77 fine arts degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $32,031. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Get the full fine arts details for University Of Maryland College Park

2

Cornell University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 28 fine arts degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Cornell University earn around $31,073 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,153 to complete this degree. Get the full fine arts details for Cornell University

3
Hamilton College crest
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 91% of students finish within six years. Hamilton College awarded about 12 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Hamilton College earn around $48,806 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,131 to complete this degree. Get the full fine arts details for Hamilton College

4

Students looking for a strong fine arts program will find one at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 13 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $26,709 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,477. Get the full fine arts details for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

5
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best fine arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Towson. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 72 fine arts degrees were awarded at Towson University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Towson University earn around $29,958 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,978 to complete this degree. See the full fine arts program report for Towson University

6
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College placed #6 among the best fine arts schools. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Marist College awarded about 14 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Marist College generally make around $31,907. Students borrow a median of $25,529 to complete this degree. See the full fine arts program report for Marist College

7

Rochester Institute Of Technology placed #7 among the best fine arts schools. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Rochester Institute Of Technology awarded about 13 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $63,515 early in their careers. Rochester Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $27,491 in student loans. Get the full fine arts details for Rochester Institute Of Technology

8

Suny At Binghamton earned the #8 position for fine arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Vestal. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $25,751 early in their careers. Suny At Binghamton graduates carry a median of $22,286 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine arts from Suny At Binghamton

9
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University placed #9 among the best fine arts schools. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. New York University awarded about 49 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $33,506 in their early career. New York University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full fine arts program report for New York University

10

University At Buffalo placed #10 among the best fine arts schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University At Buffalo awarded about 60 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $24,370. University At Buffalo graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read more about the fine arts program at University At Buffalo

11
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania earned the #11 position for fine arts this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $34,619 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,359. More information about a degree in fine arts from University Of Pennsylvania

12
St Marys College Of Maryland crest
St Marys College Of Maryland
St. Mary's City, MD

St Marys College Of Maryland landed the #12 spot for fine arts this year. This small public university is located in the rural area of St. Mary's City. St Marys College Of Maryland graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at St Marys College Of Maryland in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from St Marys College Of Maryland earn around $41,665 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,655. Read more about the fine arts program at St Marys College Of Maryland

13

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #13 position for fine arts this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 16 fine arts degrees were awarded at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Read more about the fine arts program at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

14

Fashion Institute Of Technology earned the #14 position for fine arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of New York. About 89 fine arts degrees were awarded at Fashion Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Fashion Institute Of Technology generally make around $23,428. Fashion Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $18,342 in student loans. See the full fine arts program report for Fashion Institute Of Technology

15

University Of Delaware came in at #15 for fine arts this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 fine arts degrees were awarded at University Of Delaware in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $21,935. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $25,908 in student loans. Get the full fine arts details for University Of Delaware

16
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College placed #16 among the best fine arts schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Cuny Hunter College graduates 57% of students within six years. Cuny Hunter College awarded about 76 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $28,185 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete this degree. See the full fine arts program report for Cuny Hunter College

17
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University landed the #17 spot for fine arts this year. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 fine arts degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $35,197 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in fine arts from American University

18

Pennsylvania Western University landed the #18 spot for fine arts this year. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 95 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania Western University in the most recent data year. Get the full fine arts details for Pennsylvania Western University

19

University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #19 among the best fine arts schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 24 fine arts degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland Baltimore County in the most recent year. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $23,879 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,625. Read more about the fine arts program at University Of Maryland Baltimore County

20
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

The New School came in at #20 for fine arts this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The New School graduates 70% of students within six years. About 106 fine arts degrees were awarded at The New School in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $28,398 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the fine arts program at The New School

21
Salisbury University crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best fine arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Salisbury. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Salisbury University awarded about 30 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Salisbury University generally make around $20,632. Students borrow a median of $24,239 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in fine arts from Salisbury University

22

Suny College At Brockport landed the #22 spot for fine arts this year. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 28 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Suny College At Brockport in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $26,855 early in their careers. Suny College At Brockport graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Read more about the fine arts program at Suny College At Brockport

23

Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #23 position for fine arts this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 74 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Brooklyn College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Cuny Brooklyn College earn around $22,633 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete this degree. Get the full fine arts details for Cuny Brooklyn College

24
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best fine arts schools. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit university. Hofstra University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 11 fine arts degrees were awarded at Hofstra University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $20,770. Hofstra University graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. See the full fine arts program report for Hofstra University

25
Messiah College crest
Messiah College
Mechanicsburg, PA

Messiah College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best fine arts schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. Messiah College graduates 75% of students within six years. About 14 fine arts degrees were awarded at Messiah College in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Messiah College earn around $48,957 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,195. See the full fine arts program report for Messiah College

Rest of the Top 50 Fine Arts Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fine arts ranking:

26
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY
27
28
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
29
30
31
32
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
33
Pratt Institute Main crest
Pratt Institute Main
Brooklyn, NY
34
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY
35
36
Nazareth College crest
Nazareth College
Rochester, NY
37
38
39
40
Drew University crest
Drew University
Madison, NJ
41
42
43
44
Bard College crest
Bard College
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY
45
46
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY
47
48
49
50

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for fine arts:

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View All Fine Arts Rankings >

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Notes and References

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 · 136 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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