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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Fine Arts Schools in North Carolina

8 Colleges in the United States
355 Fine Arts Degrees Awarded
$27,540 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.

College Factual analyzed 23 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 North Carolina

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

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill tops our 2026 ranking of the best fine arts schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 fine arts degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Fine Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $24,005 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $14,600 in student loans. Read more about the fine arts program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

2

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 54 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn around $25,855 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the fine arts program at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

3

Appalachian State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best fine arts schools. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. 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. Appalachian State University graduates carry a median of $21,985 in student loans. Read more about the fine arts program at Appalachian State University

4

East Carolina University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best fine arts schools. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 98 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $21,271. East Carolina University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the fine arts program at East Carolina University

5

Western Carolina University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Western Carolina University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $24,253 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine arts program at Western Carolina University

6

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #6 among the best fine arts schools. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington awarded about 36 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $43,497 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,672. Read more about the fine arts program at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

7

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #7 position for fine arts this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro graduates 56% of students within six years. About 63 fine arts degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro in the most recent year. Fine Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $18,745 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full fine arts details for University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

8

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earned the #8 position for fine arts this year. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. About 44% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke awarded about 14 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn around $40,578 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in fine arts from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke

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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 · 23 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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