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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Fine Arts Schools in the Southeast Region

50 Colleges in the United States
1,794 Fine Arts Degrees Awarded
$32,793 Avg Early-Career Salary

Fine Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 150 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 Southeast Region

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.

Top Schools in Fine Arts

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Georgia this year for fine arts. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $26,323. Students borrow a median of $21,947 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in fine arts from University Of Georgia

2

Students looking for a strong fine arts program will find one at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. About 91% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 25 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $24,005 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $14,600 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine arts from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

3
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

University Of Richmond came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best fine arts schools. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 11 fine arts degrees were awarded at University Of Richmond in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from University Of Richmond earn around $53,815 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,634 to complete this degree. See the full fine arts program report for University Of Richmond

4
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

A rank of #4 makes Florida State University one of the top schools for fine arts. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 83 fine arts degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Florida State University earn around $28,775 in the first couple years of their career. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $20,222 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine arts from Florida State University

5
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

A rank of #5 makes University Of Florida one of the top schools for fine arts. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Florida awarded about 81 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $28,710 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,863 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine arts program at University Of Florida

6

University Of Central Florida earned the #6 position for fine arts this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. University Of Central Florida awarded about 29 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from University Of Central Florida earn around $23,324 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,036 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in fine arts from University Of Central Florida

7

Tulane University Of Louisiana placed #7 among the best fine arts schools. Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit university. About 86% of students finish within six years. Tulane University Of Louisiana awarded about 19 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $54,082 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,077 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in fine arts from Tulane University Of Louisiana

8
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas placed #8 among the best fine arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fayetteville. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arkansas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $24,970 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,777 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine arts program at University Of Arkansas

9

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #9 spot for fine arts this year. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. About 66% of students finish within six years. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College awarded about 148 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $23,348 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in fine arts from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

10

The University Of Alabama ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best fine arts schools. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. About 30 fine arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $21,836 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full fine arts details for The University Of Alabama

11

University Of Louisville landed the #11 spot for fine arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Louisville. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 57 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Louisville in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $28,485. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in fine arts from University Of Louisville

12

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best fine arts schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates 77% of students within six years. About 46 fine arts degrees were awarded at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $28,734 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. See the full fine arts program report for University Of South Florida Main Campus

13
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University earned the #13 position for fine arts this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Nova Southeastern University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Nova Southeastern University in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $70,595 early in their careers. Nova Southeastern University graduates carry a median of $25,021 in student loans. Read more about the fine arts program at Nova Southeastern University

14

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #14 among the best fine arts schools. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates 69% of students within six years. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 54 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $25,855 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full fine arts details for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

15
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University earned the #15 position for fine arts this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 23 fine arts degrees were awarded at Auburn University in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $55,422 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete this degree. Get the full fine arts details for Auburn University

16

Tennessee Technological University earned the #16 position for fine arts this year. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Tennessee Technological University awarded about 36 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $19,231. Typical student debt for the program is $13,935. More information about a degree in fine arts from Tennessee Technological University

17

University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #17 for fine arts this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates 79% of students within six years. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 50 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $27,467 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full fine arts program report for University Of South Carolina Columbia

18

Appalachian State University landed the #18 spot for fine arts this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $22,120 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,985. Read more about the fine arts program at Appalachian State University

19
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

College Of Charleston came in at #19 for fine arts this year. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 22 fine arts degrees were awarded at College Of Charleston in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from College Of Charleston earn around $24,070 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Read more about the fine arts program at College Of Charleston

20

The University Of Tennessee came in at #20 for fine arts this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 46 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $23,661 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full fine arts program report for The University Of Tennessee

21

East Carolina University came in at #21 for fine arts this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. East Carolina University graduates 63% of students within six years. East Carolina University awarded about 98 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $21,271. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full fine arts details for East Carolina University

22

Cumberland University earned the #22 position for fine arts this year. Set in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 42% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Cumberland University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Cumberland University generally make around $47,696. Students borrow a median of $21,902 to complete this degree. See the full fine arts program report for Cumberland University

23

University Of North Florida came in at #23 for fine arts this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. University Of North Florida graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of North Florida awarded about 33 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $31,770 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the fine arts program at University Of North Florida

24
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University earned the #24 position for fine arts this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Highland Heights. About 54% of students finish within six years. Northern Kentucky University awarded about 37 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $31,448 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,724 to complete this degree. Get the full fine arts details for Northern Kentucky University

25

Kennesaw State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best fine arts schools. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 33 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Kennesaw State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Kennesaw State University earn around $35,846 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,097 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine arts program at Kennesaw State University

Rest of the Top 50 Fine Arts Schools

These schools also placed among the best for fine arts this year:

26
27
Thomas More College crest
Thomas More College
Crestview Hills, KY
28
29
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
Union University crest
Union University
Jackson, TN
40
41
42
Flagler College St Augustine crest
Flagler College St Augustine
Saint Augustine, FL
43
Hollins University crest
Hollins University
Roanoke, VA
44
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN
45
46
47
48
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
49
50

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 150 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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