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

2026 Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in Virginia

9 Colleges in the United States
657 Fine & Studio Arts Degrees Awarded
$35,353 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

College Factual analyzed 36 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best fine & studio arts schools.

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/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/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 1
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 50.07), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Fine Arts (MFA) (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Fine Arts (MFA) (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 1
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 1 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 1
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 0 offers with relevance >= 0.9
DEBUG: Backfilling with 1 offers with relevance >= 0.8

Best Schools for Fine & Studio Arts in Virginia

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

Our analysis ranked James Madison University the best school in the country for a degree in fine & studio arts. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 142 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $33,501 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,001 to complete this degree. Get the full fine & studio arts details for James Madison University

2
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

University Of Richmond came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of Richmond in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $53,815 in their early career. University Of Richmond graduates carry a median of $21,634 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from University Of Richmond

3

College Of William And Mary is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. College Of William And Mary graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $29,752. Students borrow a median of $18,935 to complete this degree. Get the full fine & studio arts details for College Of William And Mary

4

A rank of #4 makes Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University one of the top schools for fine & studio arts. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 60 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $36,927 in their early career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $26,323 in student loans. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

5

University Of Virginia Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 27 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $23,372 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. Get the full fine & studio arts details for University Of Virginia Main Campus

6

George Mason University earned the #6 position for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. George Mason University awarded about 18 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from George Mason University earn around $63,131 in the first couple years of their career. 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

7
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Set in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public institution. University Of Mary Washington graduates 66% of students within six years. University Of Mary Washington awarded about 25 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $24,013. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Get the full fine & studio arts details for University Of Mary Washington

8

Virginia Commonwealth University placed #8 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 92 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $20,934 in their early career. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $23,374 in student loans. Get the full fine & studio arts details for Virginia Commonwealth University

9

Northern Virginia Community College came in at #9 for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. About 112 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Typical student debt for the program is $14,413. Get the full fine & studio arts details for Northern Virginia Community College

10

Old Dominion University placed #10 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 55 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $27,535 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Old Dominion University

11
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University came in at #11 for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. About 41 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Radford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $23,308. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full fine & studio arts details for Radford University

12
Hollins University crest
Hollins University
Roanoke, VA

Hollins University came in at #12 for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the suburb of Roanoke, Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Hollins University awarded about 19 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Hollins University earn a median of $26,798 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full fine & studio arts details for Hollins University

13

Norfolk State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. There were roughly 25 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Norfolk State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $54,971 in their early career. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Norfolk State University

14

Thomas Nelson Community College came in at #14 for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 12 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Thomas Nelson Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $36,758 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,402 to complete this degree. Get the full fine & studio arts details for Thomas Nelson Community College

ADBLOCK #173
View All Fine & Studio Arts Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 36 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