2026 Best Painting Master’s Degree Schools

1

Boston University
Boston, MA

Leading the list is Boston University, our #1 school for painting. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. About 16 painting degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Painting graduates of Boston University earn a median of $37,078 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full painting program report for Boston University

2

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in painting, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. University Of Houston graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of Houston awarded about 24 painting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $26,482. Students borrow a median of $21,845 to complete this degree. See the full painting program report for University Of Houston

3

Pratt Institute Main
Brooklyn, NY

Pratt Institute Main is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in painting, landing the #3 spot this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Brooklyn. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 53 painting degrees were awarded at Pratt Institute Main in the most recent year. Graduates of the painting program make about $32,780 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full painting details for Pratt Institute Main

4

Maryland Institute College Of Art
Baltimore, MD

Maryland Institute College Of Art is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in painting, ranking #4. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. Maryland Institute College Of Art awarded about 22 painting degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the painting program make about $30,247 in their early career. Maryland Institute College Of Art graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full painting program report for Maryland Institute College Of Art

5

Massachusetts College Of Art And Design
Boston, MA

A rank of #5 makes Massachusetts College Of Art And Design one of the top schools for painting. Set in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 painting students who graduated with this degree at Massachusetts College Of Art And Design in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Massachusetts College Of Art And Design generally make around $54,719. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the painting program at Massachusetts College Of Art And Design

6

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #6 position for painting this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 painting students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the painting program make about $19,952 in their early career. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $23,374 in student loans. Get the full painting details for Virginia Commonwealth University

7

Savannah College Of Art And Design
Savannah, GA

Savannah College Of Art And Design earned the #7 position for painting this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Savannah. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 23 painting degrees were awarded at Savannah College Of Art And Design in the most recent year. Painting graduates of Savannah College Of Art And Design earn a median of $40,980 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full painting program report for Savannah College Of Art And Design

8

Rhode Island School Of Design
Providence, RI

Rhode Island School Of Design landed the #8 spot for painting this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. Rhode Island School Of Design graduates 89% of students within six years. Rhode Island School Of Design awarded about 10 painting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Rhode Island School Of Design generally make around $28,281. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in painting from Rhode Island School Of Design

9

State University Of New York At New Paltz
New Paltz, NY

State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #9 spot for painting this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of New Paltz. State University Of New York At New Paltz graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 painting students who graduated with this degree at State University Of New York At New Paltz in the most recent data year. Students who receive their painting degree from State University Of New York At New Paltz earn around $18,842 in the first couple years of their career. State University Of New York At New Paltz graduates carry a median of $23,562 in student loans. Get the full painting details for State University Of New York At New Paltz

10

California College Of The Arts
San Francisco, CA

California College Of The Arts ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best painting schools. California College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 painting students who graduated with this degree at California College Of The Arts in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from California College Of The Arts generally make around $24,495. California College Of The Arts graduates carry a median of $29,250 in student loans. Get the full painting details for California College Of The Arts

11

Maine College Of Art
Portland, ME

Maine College Of Art came in at #11 for painting this year. Set in the city of Portland, Maine College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Maine College Of Art awarded about 10 painting degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Maine College Of Art generally make around $29,954. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in painting from Maine College Of Art

12

Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts
Philadelphia, PA

Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts earned the #12 position for painting this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts awarded about 11 painting degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their painting degree from Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts earn around $24,994 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,750. Get the full painting details for Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts