Arts Schools and Programs in The United States

Arts Studies in The United States

Arts degrees in the United States cover studio art (painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, ceramics and new media), art history and, at many universities, the performing arts in a single college of fine arts. Studio programmes combine practical work with art history and, at most universities, general education courses such as English and the social and natural sciences. The aim is to develop a personal practice and a portfolio, which, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), is what clients, galleries and art directors look at when they decide to hire an artist or buy work.

How the degree is organised

There is no national list of degree titles; each accredited institution designs its own programmes. Art is taught at universities, liberal arts colleges, community colleges and independent schools of art and design. The usual qualifications are:

• Certificate or associate degree (two years), often at a community college, either for a job or as a step towards a bachelor's degree
• Bachelor's degree (four years), either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in art or a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in a specific discipline
• Master of Fine Arts (MFA), the graduate degree for studio artists, often two years in residence ending with a thesis exhibition or presentation

At a liberal arts college, students take 25 to 50 percent of their courses in their major, so a B.A. in art leaves room for other subjects. Some universities group all the arts together: Boston University's College of Fine Arts has a School of Music, a School of Theatre and a School of Visual Arts; the latter offers a BA in Art and BFAs in graphic design, painting, printmaking, sculpture and art education, plus several MFA programmes. At graduate level, the Yale School of Art, which opened in 1869 as the first art school affiliated with a US university, offers MFA programmes in graphic design, painting/printmaking, photography and sculpture; students stay in residence for at least two years and finish with coursework and a thesis presentation.

Accreditation

US universities hold institutional accreditation, usually from a regional agency, and art programmes can also be accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), which sets national standards for undergraduate and graduate art degrees and has about 346 accredited institutional members. Boston University's School of Visual Arts, for example, is NASAD-accredited. According to EducationUSA, recognition of credits and degrees by other institutions and employers is linked to accreditation, so check it before you apply.

Admission, portfolio and visa

For a bachelor's degree you need to have finished secondary school and generally be at least 17, and US universities require an English proficiency test before admission. Art programmes usually add a portfolio of your work; at Boston University's College of Fine Arts, for instance, the three schools require auditions or portfolio submissions for various programmes, on top of the university's general application. Before applying for a student visa you must be accepted by an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP); degree students normally use the F visa.

Costs

Tuition is set by each institution. State universities are generally larger and less expensive than private ones, and community colleges have lower costs and easier admission. International students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week in their first year.

Where to study art in the United States

Art is taught across the country. Boston has the most schools on this page (three), followed by New Haven, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Albany (two each). Examples include Yale University and Albertus Magnus College in New Haven; Boston University and Suffolk University in Boston; Drexel University in Philadelphia; large public universities such as The Ohio State University, the University of Michigan, The University of California Los Angeles, Florida State University and the University of North Texas; liberal arts colleges such as Wellesley College and Hope College; New York University; and community colleges such as Bucks County Community College and Baltimore City Community College.

Careers

Art graduates work as painters, sculptors, illustrators and craft artists, and in teaching. According to the BLS, craft and fine artists held about 53,400 jobs in 2025, and 58 percent were self-employed. Their median annual wage was $55,290 in May 2025; employment is projected to decline 1 percent from 2025 to 2035, but about 4,300 openings are expected each year as artists retire or change jobs. Teaching art in public primary or secondary schools usually requires a teaching certificate in addition to a bachelor's degree.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a B.A. and a B.F.A. in art?

Both are four-year bachelor's degrees. A B.A. in art usually sits within a broader liberal arts education, while B.F.A. degrees often focus on one discipline, such as painting or graphic design at Boston University. Compare the share of studio courses in each programme.

Do I need a portfolio to apply?

For most studio art programmes, yes. Requirements vary by school, so check the portfolio guidelines of each programme.

How long is an MFA in the United States?

Usually two years. At the Yale School of Art, for example, students stay in residence for at least two years and finish with a thesis presentation.

What is NASAD accreditation?

The National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredits art and design programmes and sets national standards for art degrees. It has about 346 accredited institutional members.