by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Digital Arts covers Digital Arts. A General, Undifferentiated Program That Focuses On The Use Of Computerized Digital Images As The Primary Medium Of Expression In The Visual And Performing Arts, And That May Prepare Individuals For A Wide Variety Of Careers Using New Media, Including Graphic Design, Digital Animation, Motion Graphics, 3d Visualization, Game And Interactive Media Design, Music And Sound Design, Video Production, Web Design, Photography, And Other Fields. Examples: [Digital Art]. Continue reading for the important information every digital arts major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering digital arts programs.
Across the country, digital arts is a widely-pursued major, with 3,892 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Digital Arts Schools ranking analyzes these 166 schools to determine the best overall colleges for digital arts students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of digital arts programs later in this article.
Coursework for Digital Arts emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations digital arts graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a digital arts program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a digital arts major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several digital arts degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 105 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 457 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,910 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 408 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 3 |
People currently working in careers related to digital arts tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 36.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 27.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 21.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.5% |
| Some college courses | 3.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.5% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in digital arts careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in digital arts prepares you for numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to digital arts.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to digital arts.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | 427,793 | 13.9% |
| Graphic Designers | 267,813 | 4.6% |
| Art Directors | 105,166 | 1.0% |
| Photographers | 81,551 | -3.6% |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | 40,928 | 6.1% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of digital arts graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $27,099 |
| 4 years | $37,427 |
| 5 years | $42,359 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for digital arts graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers digital arts grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Art Directors | $103,285 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,610 |
| Photographers | $75,743 |
| Graphic Designers | $66,386 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $57,836 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 166 different digital arts programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased digital arts school rankings to help you.
Those considering digital arts, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | 3,333 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
