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

32 Colleges in the United States
1,248 Fine & Studio Arts Degrees Awarded
$36,657 Avg Early-Career Salary

Fine & Studio Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their fine & studio arts programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 160 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for fine & studio arts students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Fine & Studio Arts in the The Plains States Region

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

Top Schools in Fine & Studio Arts

1
Carleton College crest
Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Carleton College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in fine & studio arts. Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Carleton College awarded about 11 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Carleton College earn around $45,096 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,566 to complete this degree. Get the full fine & studio arts details for Carleton College

2

Washington University In St Louis came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 43 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $68,303 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete this degree. See the full fine & studio arts program report for Washington University In St Louis

3

University Of Missouri Columbia is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 55 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $23,034 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Missouri Columbia

4

South Dakota State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in fine & studio arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at South Dakota State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $51,260 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete this degree. See the full fine & studio arts program report for South Dakota State University

5
College Of Saint Benedict crest
College Of Saint Benedict
Saint Joseph, MN

College Of Saint Benedict came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Joseph, College Of Saint Benedict is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. College Of Saint Benedict awarded about 14 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of College Of Saint Benedict earn a median of $47,105 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,619. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from College Of Saint Benedict

6
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College earned the #6 position for fine & studio arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Northfield. About 84% of students finish within six years. St Olaf College awarded about 19 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from St Olaf College generally make around $26,870. St Olaf College graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from St Olaf College

7

University Of Nebraska At Kearney landed the #7 spot for fine & studio arts this year. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Nebraska At Kearney awarded about 35 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $47,980 early in their careers. University Of Nebraska At Kearney graduates carry a median of $16,101 in student loans. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Nebraska At Kearney

8
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College placed #8 among the best fine & studio arts schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Saint Paul. Macalester College graduates 87% of students within six years. About 14 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Macalester College in the most recent year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Macalester College earn a median of $42,517 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,147. See the full fine & studio arts program report for Macalester College

9

Fort Hays State University earned the #9 position for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Fort Hays State University in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $31,909 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,937 to complete this degree. Get the full fine & studio arts details for Fort Hays State University

10

Winona State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 18 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Winona State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $53,109 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,551 to complete this degree. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Winona State University

11

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #11 spot for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. About 72 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $20,192 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $23,956 in student loans. Get the full fine & studio arts details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

12
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa placed #12 among the best fine & studio arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 133 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $29,887 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Iowa

13

University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #13 spot for fine & studio arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lincoln. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 29 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn around $28,783 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from University Of Nebraska Lincoln

14
Hastings College crest
Hastings College
Hastings, NE

Hastings College landed the #14 spot for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the town of Hastings, Hastings College is a small private not-for-profit university. Hastings College graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Hastings College in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Hastings College earn a median of $42,417 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,125. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Hastings College

15

Washburn University came in at #15 for fine & studio arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Topeka. Washburn University graduates 44% of students within six years. Washburn University awarded about 11 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $50,955 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,175. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Washburn University

16

Gustavus Adolphus College earned the #16 position for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $44,396 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,197. See the full fine & studio arts program report for Gustavus Adolphus College

17

Pittsburg State University landed the #17 spot for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Pittsburg State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from Pittsburg State University earn around $50,003 in the first couple years of their career. Pittsburg State University graduates carry a median of $22,669 in student loans. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Pittsburg State University

18

University Of Minnesota Morris ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best fine & studio arts schools. University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public school located in the town of Morris. University Of Minnesota Morris graduates 62% of students within six years. About 13 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Morris in the most recent year. Graduates of the fine & studio arts program make about $44,479 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,797. Get the full fine & studio arts details for University Of Minnesota Morris

19
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University came in at #19 for fine & studio arts this year. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 49 fine & studio arts degrees were awarded at Lindenwood University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $48,197. Typical student debt for the program is $28,663. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from Lindenwood University

20

Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #20 position for fine & studio arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Mankato. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 35 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $38,717 early in their careers. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full fine & studio arts details for Minnesota State University Mankato

21

University Of Northern Iowa landed the #21 spot for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Northern Iowa awarded about 20 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $24,095. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Northern Iowa

22

Kansas State University earned the #22 position for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Kansas State University awarded about 26 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $28,218. Kansas State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at Kansas State University

23

University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #23 spot for fine & studio arts this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. University Of Missouri St Louis graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri St Louis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their fine & studio arts degree from University Of Missouri St Louis earn around $32,224 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,837 to complete this degree. See the full fine & studio arts program report for University Of Missouri St Louis

24

North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #24 position for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. North Dakota State University Main Campus awarded about 11 fine & studio arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, fine & studio arts degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $54,076. Students borrow a median of $25,153 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in fine & studio arts from North Dakota State University Main Campus

25

University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #25 for fine & studio arts this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 fine & studio arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent data year. Fine & Studio Arts graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $25,476 early in their careers. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Read more about the fine & studio arts program at University Of Missouri Kansas City

Rest of the Top 45 Fine & Studio Arts Schools

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

26
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO
27
28
29
30
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
31
32
33
34
Webster University crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO
35
Fontbonne University crest
Fontbonne University
Saint Louis, MO
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
Jefferson College crest
Jefferson College
Hillsboro, MO
44
45

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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 · 160 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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