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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the Southeast Region

106 Colleges in the United States
5,438 Fine & Studio Arts Degrees Awarded
$32,400 Avg Early-Career Salary

Fine & Studio Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their fine & studio arts programs.

College Factual analyzed 279 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best fine & studio arts schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Fine & Studio Arts in the Southeast 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.

Top Schools in Fine & Studio Arts

1
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in fine & studio arts. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. James Madison University awarded about 142 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from James Madison University earn around $33,501 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,001 to complete this degree. See the full fine & studio arts program report for James Madison University

2
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Students looking for a strong fine & studio arts program will find one at Vanderbilt University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 13 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Vanderbilt University

3

University Of Georgia is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in fine & studio arts, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Georgia awarded about 171 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $26,323 early in their careers. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,947 in student loans. Get the full fine & studio arts details for University Of Georgia

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the top schools for fine & studio arts. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. About 37 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $24,005 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,600 to complete this degree. Get the full fine & studio arts details for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

5
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

University Of Richmond is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Richmond in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from University Of Richmond earn around $53,815 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Richmond graduates carry a median of $21,634 in student loans. See the full fine & studio arts program report for University Of Richmond

6

College Of William And Mary ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from College Of William And Mary earn around $29,752 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,935 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from College Of William And Mary

7

North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #7 spot for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn around $30,577 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full fine & studio arts program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

8

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #8 position for fine & studio arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. About 86% of students finish within six years. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 60 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $36,927 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $26,323 in student loans. See the full fine & studio arts program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

9
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #9 position for fine & studio arts this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. Florida State University awarded about 116 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Florida State University earn around $28,775 in the first couple years of their career. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $20,222 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Florida State University

10
Davidson College crest
Davidson College
Davidson, NC

Davidson College came in at #10 for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Davidson College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Davidson College generally make around $41,505. Students borrow a median of $19,906 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Davidson College

11
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 20 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $57,234 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,750. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Miami

12

University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #12 spot for fine & studio arts this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 27 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $23,372 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Virginia Main Campus

13

George Mason University came in at #13 for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 18 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. See the full fine & studio arts program report for George Mason University

14
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #14 for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Florida awarded about 120 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $28,710 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,863. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Florida

15

University Of Alabama At Huntsville ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Huntsville. University Of Alabama At Huntsville graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 50 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Alabama At Huntsville in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $35,123 in their early career. University Of Alabama At Huntsville graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Alabama At Huntsville

16

Sewanee The University Of The South placed #16 among the best fine & studio arts schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Sewanee. Sewanee The University Of The South graduates 80% of students within six years. About 11 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Sewanee The University Of The South in the most recent year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Sewanee The University Of The South earn a median of $36,927 early in their careers. Sewanee The University Of The South graduates carry a median of $22,091 in student loans. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Sewanee The University Of The South

17

Middle Tennessee State University placed #17 among the best fine & studio arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Murfreesboro. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 109 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $29,084 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,760 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Middle Tennessee State University

18
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University landed the #18 spot for fine & studio arts this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. About 22 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $83,388 in their early career. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Get the full fine & studio arts details for Duke University

19

University Of Central Florida placed #19 among the best fine & studio arts schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Orlando. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 158 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $23,324 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,036. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from University Of Central Florida

20

Tulane University Of Louisiana came in at #20 for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Tulane University Of Louisiana awarded about 34 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $54,082 early in their careers. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Tulane University Of Louisiana

21
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas placed #21 among the best fine & studio arts schools. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. University Of Arkansas awarded about 68 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $24,970 early in their careers. University Of Arkansas graduates carry a median of $21,777 in student loans. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Arkansas

22

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #22 for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates 66% of students within six years. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College awarded about 151 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $23,348 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. See the full fine & studio arts program report for Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

23

The University Of Alabama came in at #23 for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. About 73% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 41 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Alabama in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $21,836 in their early career. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full fine & studio arts program report for The University Of Alabama

24

University Of Louisville ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Louisville. University Of Louisville graduates 61% of students within six years. About 68 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of Louisville in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $28,485 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Louisville

25

Florida Atlantic University came in at #25 for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Florida Atlantic University graduates 63% of students within six years. Florida Atlantic University awarded about 66 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Florida Atlantic University earn around $28,726 in the first couple years of their career. Florida Atlantic University graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. See the full fine & studio arts program report for Florida Atlantic University

Rest of the Top 50 Fine & Studio Arts Schools

These schools also placed among the best for fine & studio arts this year:

26
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA
27
28
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
29
30
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
31
32
33
34
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC
35
Covenant College crest
Covenant College
Lookout Mountain, GA
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY
48
49
50

Additional Fine & Studio Arts Award Winners

The following schools placed in the top tier for fine & studio arts:

Rank School Location
#52 Savannah College Of Art And Design Savannah, GA

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for fine & studio arts:

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View All Fine & Studio Arts Rankings >

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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 · 279 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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