by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Painting explores Painting. A Program That Prepares Individuals Creatively And Technically To Express Emotions, Ideas, Or Inner Visions By The Application Of Paints And Related Chemical Color Substances To Canvases Or Other Materials. Includes Instruction In Color And Color Mixing, Surface Preparation, Composition, Oil And Acrylic Media, Watercolor Media, Painting Techniques, And Personal Style Development. Examples: [Painting (Fine Art)]. Read on to learn the essential details every painting student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering painting programs.
Across the country, painting is a widely-pursued major, with 607 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Painting Schools ranking analyzes these 50 schools to determine the best overall colleges for painting students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of painting programs later in this article.
Coursework for Painting build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations painting graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a painting program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a painting major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several painting degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 5 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 467 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 135 |
People currently working in careers related to painting tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 32.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 20.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 15.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 9.2% |
| Some college courses | 8.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 4.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.0% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in painting careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in painting can lead to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to painting.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to painting.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
| Craft Artists | 402,867 | 5.7% |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | 147,527 | -4.1% |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | 40,928 | 6.1% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of painting graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $25,613 |
| 4 years | $36,289 |
| 5 years | $41,536 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for painting graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers painting grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Craft Artists | $76,826 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $69,338 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $57,836 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 50 different painting programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased painting school rankings to help you.
Those considering painting, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Art/Art Studies, General | 18,711 |
| Fine/Studio Arts, General | 12,013 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation | 3,557 |
| Fine Arts and Art Studies, Other | 751 |
| Intermedia/Multimedia | 732 |
| Jewelry Arts | 483 |
| Drawing | 254 |
| Sculpture | 235 |
| Printmaking | 154 |
| Ceramic Arts and Ceramics | 153 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
