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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Fine Arts Schools in the The Plains States Region

17 Colleges in the United States
412 Fine Arts Degrees Awarded
$34,830 Avg Early-Career Salary

Fine Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their fine arts programs.

College Factual analyzed 76 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 The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall fine arts education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Fine Arts

1

Washington University In St Louis is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in fine arts. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 29 fine arts degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $68,303 in the first couple years of their career. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Get the full fine arts details for Washington University In St Louis

2
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

A rank of #2 makes Macalester College one of the top schools for fine arts. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. Macalester College awarded about 13 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $42,517 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,147. Read more about the fine arts program at Macalester College

3

Fort Hays State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Fort Hays State University awarded about 32 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $31,909 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,937 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine arts program at Fort Hays State University

4

University Of Nebraska Lincoln is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in fine arts, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Lincoln. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. About 27 fine arts degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $28,783 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Read more about the fine arts program at University Of Nebraska Lincoln

5
Hastings College crest
Hastings College
Hastings, NE

A rank of #5 makes Hastings College one of the top schools for fine arts. Set in the town of Hastings, Hastings College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Hastings College graduates 49% of students within six years. Hastings College awarded about 17 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of Hastings College earn a median of $42,417 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete this degree. Get the full fine arts details for Hastings College

6

Washburn University earned the #6 position for fine arts this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Washburn University graduates 44% of students within six years. About 11 fine arts degrees were awarded at Washburn University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Washburn University earn around $50,955 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,175. More information about a degree in fine arts from Washburn University

7

Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best fine arts schools. This large public university is located in the city of Mankato. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 28 fine arts degrees were awarded at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $38,717 in their early career. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine arts from Minnesota State University Mankato

8

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #8 for fine arts this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 19 fine arts degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from University Of Northern Iowa earn around $24,095 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree. See the full fine arts program report for University Of Northern Iowa

9

Kansas State University earned the #9 position for fine arts this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 26 fine arts degrees were awarded at Kansas State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $28,218 in their early career. Kansas State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full fine arts program report for Kansas State University

10

University Of Missouri St Louis placed #10 among the best fine arts schools. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. About 57% of students finish within six years. University Of Missouri St Louis awarded about 30 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $32,224. University Of Missouri St Louis graduates carry a median of $28,837 in student loans. Read more about the fine arts program at University Of Missouri St Louis

11

University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #11 position for fine arts this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates 54% of students within six years. About 13 fine arts degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from University Of Missouri Kansas City earn around $25,476 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine arts program at University Of Missouri Kansas City

12
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University came in at #12 for fine arts this year. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Truman State University awarded about 14 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Truman State University earn around $15,998 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full fine arts program report for Truman State University

13

University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best fine arts schools. This large public university is located in the city of Omaha. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. University Of Nebraska At Omaha awarded about 49 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine Arts graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $28,942 early in their careers. University Of Nebraska At Omaha graduates carry a median of $26,202 in student loans. Get the full fine arts details for University Of Nebraska At Omaha

14
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas placed #14 among the best fine arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lawrence. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. University Of Kansas awarded about 26 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $22,868 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,361 to complete this degree. Get the full fine arts details for University Of Kansas

15

Missouri Southern State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best fine arts schools. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. Missouri Southern State University graduates 40% of students within six years. Missouri Southern State University awarded about 14 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $29,309 in their early career. Missouri Southern State University graduates carry a median of $22,241 in student loans. Read more about the fine arts program at Missouri Southern State University

16
Fontbonne University crest
Fontbonne University
Saint Louis, MO

Fontbonne University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best fine arts schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. Fontbonne University awarded about 11 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine arts degree from Fontbonne University earn around $46,039 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $33,503. More information about a degree in fine arts from Fontbonne University

17

Minneapolis College Of Art And Design ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best fine arts schools. Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 fine arts students who graduated with this degree at Minneapolis College Of Art And Design in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from Minneapolis College Of Art And Design generally make around $19,524. Typical student debt for the program is $30,250. See the full fine arts program report for Minneapolis College Of Art And Design

18
Jefferson College crest
Jefferson College
Hillsboro, MO

Jefferson College placed #18 among the best fine arts schools. Set in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public institution. About 14 fine arts degrees were awarded at Jefferson College in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine arts program make about $47,560 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete this degree. See the full fine arts program report for Jefferson College

19

East Central College placed #19 among the best fine arts schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Union. East Central College awarded about 12 fine arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine arts degree recipients from East Central College generally make around $37,925. East Central College graduates carry a median of $12,062 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine arts from East Central College

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 76 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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