ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Painting Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

8 Colleges in the United States
159 Painting Degrees Awarded
$21,263 Avg Early-Career Salary

Painting programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools to find the best for painting students.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/painting/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/painting/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/painting/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/painting/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/painting/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/painting/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/painting/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget

Best Schools for Painting in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall painting education in the Middle Atlantic Region.

Top Schools in Painting

1
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Our analysis ranked Temple University the best school in the country for a degree in painting. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 painting degrees were awarded at Temple University in the most recent year. Graduates of the painting program make about $24,558 in their early career. Temple University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about the painting program at Temple University

2
Pratt Institute Main crest
Pratt Institute Main
Brooklyn, NY

Pratt Institute Main came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best painting schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 53 painting degrees were awarded at Pratt Institute Main in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Pratt Institute Main generally make around $25,616. Pratt Institute Main graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full painting program report for Pratt Institute Main

3

Students looking for a strong painting program will find one at Maryland Institute College Of Art, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Baltimore, Maryland Institute College Of Art is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 38 painting students who graduated with this degree at Maryland Institute College Of Art in the most recent data year. Students who receive their painting degree from Maryland Institute College Of Art earn around $25,693 in the first couple years of their career. Maryland Institute College Of Art graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in painting from Maryland Institute College Of Art

4

State University Of New York At New Paltz is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in painting, ranking #4. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 18 painting degrees were awarded at State University Of New York At New Paltz in the most recent year. Graduates of the painting program make about $18,842 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,562 to complete this degree. Get the full painting details for State University Of New York At New Paltz

5

Suny At Purchase College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best painting schools. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 painting degrees were awarded at Suny At Purchase College in the most recent year. Graduates of the painting program make about $14,984 in their early career. Suny At Purchase College graduates carry a median of $23,850 in student loans. More information about a degree in painting from Suny At Purchase College

6

Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts landed the #6 spot for painting this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 11 painting degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, painting degree recipients from Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts generally make around $17,887. Typical student debt for the program is $26,750. Read more about the painting program at Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts

ADBLOCK #173
View All Painting Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 15 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options