Fine & Studio Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 242 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for fine & studio arts students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Fine & Studio Arts in the Great Lakes 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 & studio arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than University Of Chicago this year for fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 23 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from University Of Chicago earn around $81,002 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for University Of Chicago
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in fine & studio arts, ranking #2. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 165 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $31,367. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,319 in student loans.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Students looking for a strong fine & studio arts program will find one at Illinois State University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 98 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $35,967 in their early career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $20,125 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Illinois State University
University Of Notre Dame is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 15 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $69,494 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,891.
Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Notre Dame
University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 174 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $30,719 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,316 to complete this degree.
Get the full fine & studio arts details for University Of Wisconsin Madison
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 83 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $33,265. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for Indiana University Bloomington
Loyola University Chicago earned the #7 position for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans.
Get the full fine & studio arts details for Loyola University Chicago
Kenyon College came in at #8 for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Kenyon College awarded about 29 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Kenyon College earn a median of $23,082 early in their careers. Kenyon College graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for Kenyon College
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #9 position for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire awarded about 47 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $34,582. Typical student debt for the program is $25,371.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Lake Forest College landed the #10 spot for fine & studio arts this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lake Forest. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. Lake Forest College awarded about 14 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Lake Forest College generally make around $41,168. Lake Forest College graduates carry a median of $26,661 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Lake Forest College
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #11 position for fine & studio arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $27,114 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,128.
More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Purdue University Main Campus
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #12 for fine & studio arts this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. About 81 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $29,186 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,849 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Ohio State University Main Campus
Kalamazoo College came in at #13 for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Kalamazoo College awarded about 11 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Kalamazoo College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. Kalamazoo College graduates carry a median of $26,118 in student loans.
Get the full fine & studio arts details for Kalamazoo College
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #14 among the best fine & studio arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 35 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $28,669. Typical student debt for the program is $21,356.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of Wisconsin Stout placed #15 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Stout in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $30,077 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,821.
Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Wisconsin Stout
Ball State University earned the #16 position for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Ball State University graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 39 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Ball State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $28,405 in their early career. Ball State University graduates carry a median of $25,637 in student loans.
More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Ball State University
Eastern Illinois University earned the #17 position for fine & studio arts this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 58 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Eastern Illinois University earn around $40,891 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Eastern Illinois University
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #18 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 96 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn around $27,595 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete this degree.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Northern Illinois University placed #19 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northern Illinois University awarded about 89 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $26,795 in their early career. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $25,781 in student loans.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for Northern Illinois University
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #20 spot for fine & studio arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Chicago. Northeastern Illinois University graduates 22% of students within six years. About 13 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $30,845 in their early career. Northeastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $20,319 in student loans.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for Northeastern Illinois University
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 51 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $21,954 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from University Of Illinois At Chicago
Miami University Oxford ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 28 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $24,912. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full fine & studio arts program report for Miami University Oxford
Saint Xavier University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 13 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Saint Xavier University in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $51,753 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,735 to complete this degree.
Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Saint Xavier University
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #24 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 53 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $31,128 early in their careers. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Bowling Green State University Main Campus
College Of Dupage ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. College Of Dupage awarded about 13 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $43,025 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,492.
More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from College Of Dupage
Rest of the Top 50 Fine & Studio Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s fine & studio arts ranking:
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 · 242 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
