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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Fine Arts Schools in the Southwest Region

22 Colleges in the United States
1,085 Fine Arts Degrees Awarded
$37,237 Avg Early-Career Salary

Fine Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 77 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 the Southwest 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

Leading the list is The University Of Texas At Austin, our #1 school for fine arts. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 72 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $25,927 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,057. Read more about the fine arts program at The University Of Texas At Austin

2

Southern Methodist University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best fine arts schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dallas. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $38,154 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. Read more about the fine arts program at Southern Methodist University

3

Baylor University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 30 fine arts degrees were awarded at Baylor University in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $49,888 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine arts program at Baylor University

4

University Of Arizona is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 96 fine arts degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $29,893 in their early career. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $19,290 in student loans. Get the full fine arts details for University Of Arizona

5

Students looking for a strong fine arts program will find one at University Of North Texas, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Denton. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 158 fine arts degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent year. Fine Arts graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $25,211 early in their careers. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine arts from University Of North Texas

6

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #6 for fine arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norman. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $27,218 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine arts program at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

7

Northern Arizona University landed the #7 spot for fine arts this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Northern Arizona University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $24,172 in their early career. Northern Arizona University graduates carry a median of $18,665 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine arts from Northern Arizona University

8

University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #8 among the best fine arts schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 51 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston Clear Lake in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $25,274 in their early career. University Of Houston Clear Lake graduates carry a median of $21,369 in student loans. Read more about the fine arts program at University Of Houston Clear Lake

9

Texas State University San Marcos earned the #9 position for fine arts this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 68 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Texas State University San Marcos earn around $28,445 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,928. Read more about the fine arts program at Texas State University San Marcos

10
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University came in at #10 for fine arts this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Lamar University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Lamar University earn around $52,678 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,988. See the full fine arts program report for Lamar University

11
Southwestern University crest
Southwestern University
Georgetown, TX

Southwestern University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best fine arts schools. Southwestern University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Georgetown. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Southwestern University in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of Southwestern University earn a median of $36,990 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,975 to complete this degree. See the full fine arts program report for Southwestern University

12

The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #12 spot for fine arts this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 98 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $25,156. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates carry a median of $26,562 in student loans. Read more about the fine arts program at The University Of Texas At Arlington

13

West Texas A And M University earned the #13 position for fine arts this year. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. About 48% of students finish within six years. About 10 fine arts degrees were awarded at West Texas A And M University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from West Texas A And M University earn around $43,515 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,333. Read more about the fine arts program at West Texas A And M University

14

Mesa Community College earned the #14 position for fine arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Mesa. There were roughly 14 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Mesa Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $54,730 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,750. Read more about the fine arts program at Mesa Community College

15

University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earned the #15 position for fine arts this year. Set in the suburb of Belton, University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of Mary Hardin Baylor graduates 49% of students within six years. About 10 fine arts degrees were awarded at University Of Mary Hardin Baylor in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $54,062 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,782. See the full fine arts program report for University Of Mary Hardin Baylor

16
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System came in at #16 for fine arts this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Lone Star College System awarded about 14 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Lone Star College System graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. See the full fine arts program report for Lone Star College System

17

Texas A And M University Commerce placed #17 among the best fine arts schools. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. About 43% of students finish within six years. About 23 fine arts degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Commerce in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. Texas A And M University Commerce graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Read more about the fine arts program at Texas A And M University Commerce

18

Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best fine arts schools. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. About 42% of students finish within six years. About 10 fine arts degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Kingsville in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Texas A And M University Kingsville earn around $44,510 in the first couple years of their career. Texas A And M University Kingsville graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. Get the full fine arts details for Texas A And M University Kingsville

19

The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best fine arts schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 90 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas Pan American in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $21,891 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,687 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in fine arts from The University Of Texas Pan American

20

Estrella Mountain Community College landed the #20 spot for fine arts this year. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. Estrella Mountain Community College awarded about 10 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,752. Read more about the fine arts program at Estrella Mountain Community College

21

The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #21 among the best fine arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Antonio. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 22 fine arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At San Antonio in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $23,551. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full fine arts details for The University Of Texas At San Antonio

22

Sam Houston State University landed the #22 spot for fine arts this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 fine arts degrees were awarded at Sam Houston State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Sam Houston State University earn around $30,999 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. Read more about the fine arts program at Sam Houston State University

23

Chandler Gilbert Community College landed the #23 spot for fine arts this year. Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public school located in the city of Chandler. About 13 fine arts degrees were awarded at Chandler Gilbert Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Chandler Gilbert Community College earn around $46,943 in the first couple years of their career. Chandler Gilbert Community College graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine arts from Chandler Gilbert Community College

24

Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture came in at #24 for fine arts this year. Located in the rural area of Santa Fe, Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture is a small public university. Roughly 11% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 fine arts degrees were awarded at Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture earn around $29,835 in the first couple years of their career. Read more about the fine arts program at Institute Of American Indian And Alaska Native Culture

25
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University placed #25 among the best fine arts schools. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 17 fine arts degrees were awarded at Angelo State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Angelo State University earn around $24,783 in the first couple years of their career. Angelo State University graduates carry a median of $21,477 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine arts from Angelo State University

Rest of the Top 33 Fine Arts Schools

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

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
Rose State College crest
Rose State College
Midwest City, OK

Narrow Fine Arts Schools by State

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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 · 77 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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