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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Fine Arts Schools in New York

31 Colleges in the United States
1,430 Fine Arts Degrees Awarded
$32,202 Avg Early-Career Salary

Fine Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their fine arts programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 60 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for fine arts students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Fine Arts in New York

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall fine arts education in New York.

Top Schools in Fine Arts

1

Our analysis ranked Cornell University the best school in the country for a degree in fine arts. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Cornell University awarded about 28 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $31,073 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,153. See the full fine arts program report for Cornell University

2
Hamilton College crest
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

A rank of #2 makes Hamilton College one of the top schools for fine arts. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 fine arts degrees were awarded at Hamilton College in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Hamilton College earn around $48,806 in the first couple years of their career. Hamilton College graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine arts from Hamilton College

3
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Students looking for a strong fine arts program will find one at Marist College, which ranked #3. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. About 80% of students finish within six years. 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. Get the full fine arts details for Marist College

4

Rochester Institute Of Technology is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 fine arts degrees were awarded at Rochester Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $63,515 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,491 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine arts program at Rochester Institute Of Technology

5

A rank of #5 makes University At Buffalo one of the top schools for fine arts. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Buffalo. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 60 fine arts degrees were awarded at University At Buffalo in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $24,370. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. See the full fine arts program report for University At Buffalo

6
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University landed the #6 spot for fine arts this year. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 88% of students finish within six years. New York University awarded about 49 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from New York University earn around $33,506 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full fine arts details for New York University

7

Suny At Binghamton placed #7 among the best fine arts schools. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Suny At Binghamton graduates 82% of students within six years. 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

8

Fashion Institute Of Technology came in at #8 for fine arts this year. Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school 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. Students borrow a median of $18,342 to complete this degree. Get the full fine arts details for Fashion Institute Of Technology

9
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College placed #9 among the best fine arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 76 fine arts degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $28,185 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,000. More information about a degree in fine arts from Cuny Hunter College

10
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

The New School landed the #10 spot 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. Students who receive their fine arts degree from The New School earn around $28,398 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in fine arts from The New School

11

Suny College At Brockport came in at #11 for fine arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Brockport. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 28 fine arts degrees were awarded at Suny College At Brockport in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Suny College At Brockport earn around $26,855 in the first couple years of their career. Suny College At Brockport graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Get the full fine arts details for Suny College At Brockport

12
Hofstra University crest
Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University ranked #12 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. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Hofstra University awarded about 11 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $20,770 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine arts program at Hofstra University

13

Cuny Brooklyn College landed the #13 spot for fine arts this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 74 fine arts degrees were awarded at Cuny Brooklyn College in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Cuny Brooklyn College earn around $22,633 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. Read more about the fine arts program at Cuny Brooklyn College

14
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College placed #14 among the best fine arts schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cuny City College awarded about 101 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Cuny City College earn around $24,742 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,849. Read more about the fine arts program at Cuny City College

15

Teachers College At Columbia University earned the #15 position for fine arts this year. Located in the city of New York, Teachers College At Columbia University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Teachers College At Columbia University awarded about 13 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Teachers College At Columbia University generally make around $68,822. Read more about the fine arts program at Teachers College At Columbia University

16

Cuny Lehman College came in at #16 for fine arts this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. Cuny Lehman College awarded about 26 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $27,582 early in their careers. Cuny Lehman College graduates carry a median of $9,630 in student loans. Get the full fine arts details for Cuny Lehman College

17
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University placed #17 among the best fine arts schools. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Syracuse University awarded about 34 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $30,540. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine arts program at Syracuse University

18

Cuny Queens College earned the #18 position for fine arts this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 43 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Queens College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $24,910 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,818. More information about a degree in fine arts from Cuny Queens College

19
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University came in at #19 for fine arts this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Stony Brook University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Stony Brook University in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete this degree. Get the full fine arts details for Stony Brook University

20

Suny College At Oneonta landed the #20 spot for fine arts this year. Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oneonta. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Suny College At Oneonta awarded about 13 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Suny College At Oneonta generally make around $27,031. Typical student debt for the program is $22,046. Read more about the fine arts program at Suny College At Oneonta

21
Pratt Institute Main crest
Pratt Institute Main
Brooklyn, NY

Pratt Institute Main earned the #21 position for fine arts this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Pratt Institute Main graduates 74% of students within six years. Pratt Institute Main awarded about 40 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Pratt Institute Main earn around $25,616 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in fine arts from Pratt Institute Main

22
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best fine arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Albany. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 10 fine arts degrees were awarded at Suny At Albany in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $27,610 in their early career. Suny At Albany graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine arts from Suny At Albany

23
Nazareth College crest
Nazareth College
Rochester, NY

Nazareth College came in at #23 for fine arts this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Nazareth College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Nazareth College graduates 73% of students within six years. About 12 fine arts degrees were awarded at Nazareth College in the most recent year. Fine Arts graduates of Nazareth College earn a median of $44,626 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,185 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine arts program at Nazareth College

24

State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best fine arts schools. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at State University Of New York At New Paltz in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from State University Of New York At New Paltz earn around $18,842 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,562. Read more about the fine arts program at State University Of New York At New Paltz

25

School Of Visual Arts placed #25 among the best fine arts schools. Set in the city of New York, School Of Visual Arts is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 81 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at School Of Visual Arts in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $21,344 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full fine arts program report for School Of Visual Arts

Rest of the Top 34 Fine Arts Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong fine arts education:

26
Bard College crest
Bard College
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY
27
28
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY
29
30
31
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Alfred University
Alfred, NY
32
33
34

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 60 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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