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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Fine & Studio Arts Schools in the Southwest Region

40 Colleges in the United States
6,954 Fine & Studio Arts Degrees Awarded
$38,931 Avg Early-Career Salary

Fine & Studio Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 140 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 Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall fine & studio arts education in the Southwest Region.

Top Schools in Fine & Studio Arts

1

Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas At Austin the best school in the country for a degree in fine & studio arts. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 129 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $25,927. Typical student debt for the program is $24,057. See the full fine & studio arts program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

2

Southern Methodist University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in fine & studio arts, ranking #2. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $38,154 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,712. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Southern Methodist University

3

Baylor University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Baylor University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $49,888. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Baylor University

4

Arizona State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in fine & studio arts, ranking #4. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 234 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $31,093. Typical student debt for the program is $23,395. Get the full fine & studio arts details for Arizona State University

5

University Of Arizona came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. About 109 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $29,893 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,290 to complete this degree. Get the full fine & studio arts details for University Of Arizona

6

University Of Houston came in at #6 for fine & studio arts this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Houston awarded about 106 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $26,482 early in their careers. University Of Houston graduates carry a median of $21,845 in student loans. See the full fine & studio arts program report for University Of Houston

7

Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #7 for fine & studio arts this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Stillwater. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 51 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $36,547. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Oklahoma State University Main Campus

8

University Of North Texas ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. University Of North Texas graduates 61% of students within six years. About 295 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from University Of North Texas earn around $25,211 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of North Texas

9

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #9 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 36 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $27,218 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

10

Northern Arizona University placed #10 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. About 61% of students finish within six years. Northern Arizona University awarded about 17 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $24,172. Typical student debt for the program is $18,665. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Northern Arizona University

11

University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #11 among the best fine & studio arts schools. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. University Of Houston Clear Lake graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 51 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston Clear Lake in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from University Of Houston Clear Lake earn around $25,274 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,369. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Houston Clear Lake

12

Texas Womans University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. This large public university is located in the city of Denton. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas Womans University awarded about 31 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $35,115 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,019. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Texas Womans University

13

Texas Tech University came in at #13 for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Texas Tech University awarded about 47 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Texas Tech University earn around $34,428 in the first couple years of their career. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $27,846 in student loans. See the full fine & studio arts program report for Texas Tech University

14
Austin College crest
Austin College
Sherman, TX

Austin College earned the #14 position for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Sherman, Austin College is a small private not-for-profit university. Austin College graduates 67% of students within six years. About 10 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Austin College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Austin College generally make around $32,287. Austin College graduates carry a median of $24,264 in student loans. See the full fine & studio arts program report for Austin College

15

Texas State University San Marcos came in at #15 for fine & studio arts this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Texas State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. About 90 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $28,445 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,928. See the full fine & studio arts program report for Texas State University San Marcos

16

Arizona State University Skysong placed #16 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public institution. There were roughly 169 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of $27,762 early in their careers. Arizona State University Skysong graduates carry a median of $23,395 in student loans. See the full fine & studio arts program report for Arizona State University Skysong

17
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University placed #17 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. About 37% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Lamar University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Typical student debt for the program is $26,988. Get the full fine & studio arts details for Lamar University

18
Southwestern University crest
Southwestern University
Georgetown, TX

Southwestern University landed the #18 spot for fine & studio arts this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Georgetown. About 73% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Southwestern University in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Southwestern University earn a median of $36,990 early in their careers. Southwestern University graduates carry a median of $24,975 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Southwestern University

19

The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #19 position for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. The University Of Texas At Arlington awarded about 159 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from The University Of Texas At Arlington earn around $25,156 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,562. Get the full fine & studio arts details for The University Of Texas At Arlington

20

The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #20 spot for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. The University Of Texas At Tyler graduates 54% of students within six years. About 19 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Tyler in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $55,134. Students borrow a median of $20,959 to complete this degree. Get the full fine & studio arts details for The University Of Texas At Tyler

21

West Texas A And M University landed the #21 spot for fine & studio arts this year. This large public university is located in the town of Canyon. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. About 15 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at West Texas A And M University in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $43,515 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,333 to complete this degree. See the full fine & studio arts program report for West Texas A And M University

22

Mesa Community College placed #22 among the best fine & studio arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Mesa. Mesa Community College awarded about 911 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $54,730 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,750. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Mesa Community College

23

University Of Mary Hardin Baylor placed #23 among the best fine & studio arts schools. Located in the suburb of Belton, University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 10 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary Hardin Baylor in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $54,062 in their early career. University Of Mary Hardin Baylor graduates carry a median of $26,782 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from University Of Mary Hardin Baylor

24

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #24 position for fine & studio arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Odessa. About 40% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin awarded about 11 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Get the full fine & studio arts details for The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin

25

Austin Community College District earned the #25 position for fine & studio arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. About 76 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Austin Community College District in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Austin Community College District earn around $44,895 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Austin Community College District

Rest of the Top 50 Fine & Studio Arts Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong fine & studio arts education:

26
27
28
29
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX
30
31
Blinn College crest
Blinn College
Brenham, TX
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
Phoenix College crest
Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ
43
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 140 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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