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Art Studies Schools and Programs in The United States, viewing 101-119 of 119 total results

Study Art Studies in The United States

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Art Studies Studies in The United States

Art studies cover the making and understanding of visual art: drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, illustration, design and art history. In the United States the field is taught both in universities, where studio art sits next to other subjects, and in independent schools of art and design. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a number of colleges and universities offer bachelor's and master's degrees in fields related to fine and performing arts, and independent schools of art and design offer certificates and associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees in fine arts.

Degrees and how they are organised

There is no national list of degree titles in the US: each accredited college or university designs its own programmes. The usual levels are:

  • Associate degree (two years) at a community college, either as a vocational qualification or as the first half of a bachelor's degree
  • Bachelor's degree (four years), often a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or a Bachelor of Arts (BA)
  • Master's degree (typically two years), often a Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
  • Doctorate (five to eight years)

The College for Creative Studies in Detroit, for example, states that it offers MA, MFA and BFA degrees and has accelerated degrees that combine a BFA and an MFA. US credits reflect the hours a class meets each week; they are not ECTS credits. The academic year usually runs from August to May.

Many schools expect a portfolio with the application, so check each school's own admission page. The BLS notes that portfolios are essential in the working world too, because art directors, clients and others look at them when deciding whether to hire an artist or to buy the artist's work.

Admission, English and visa

For a bachelor's degree you need to have finished secondary school and generally be at least 17. Each university reviews foreign records itself, sometimes through a credential evaluation agency, and US universities require an English language proficiency test before admission.

Before applying for a student visa you must be accepted by an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which then issues a Form I-20 (or DS-2019 for exchange programmes). According to EducationUSA, recognition of credits and degrees by other institutions and by employers is linked to an institution's accreditation, so it is worth checking the accreditation of any school you consider.

Where to study art in the United States

This page lists 119 active schools in the US for art studies, spread across the country. Boston has four of them, Baltimore three, and Detroit, Madison, Cedar Rapids, Huntsville, Normal, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Dayton and Nashville two each. Examples include large public universities such as The Ohio State University, the University of Michigan, The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) and the University of Washington; private universities such as Stanford University, Yale University and Carnegie Mellon University; the College for Creative Studies in Detroit; and community colleges such as Alexandria Technical & Community College and Northeast Community College.

The kind of institution changes the experience. At Penn State, art sits inside the College of Arts & Architecture, which describes itself as a comprehensive college of arts and design, presentation and performance, with a School of Visual Arts and departments of art history, graphic design and landscape architecture. A specialist art and design college concentrates on studio work. A community college offers a two-year associate degree that can be a first step before transferring, if the receiving university accepts the credits, which should be confirmed in advance.

Careers

Work in the arts is varied and often self-employed, and the BLS figures show a small and competitive field. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for craft and fine artists was $55,290 in May 2025, and employment is projected to decline 1 percent from 2025 to 2035. Art directors, who are responsible for the visual style of magazines, packaging and film and television productions, typically need a bachelor's degree in fine arts, a design subject or a related field, and often have years of experience in another art or design occupation. The BLS reports a median annual wage of $114,850 for art directors in May 2025 and projects growth of 4 percent from 2025 to 2035.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a degree to work as an artist in the US?

Not formally. According to the BLS, a formal educational credential is typically not needed to be a craft artist, but most fine artists pursue postsecondary education to improve their skills and job prospects.

Is a master's degree needed to work as an art director?

Not necessarily. According to the BLS, art directors typically need a bachelor's degree, and some earn a master of fine arts (MFA) to supplement their work experience.

Do I need a portfolio to apply?

Many art programmes ask for one. The requirements are set by each school, so check the admission page of the programme you are considering.

Can I study at an art school and a university at the same time?

Some schools offer combined routes. The College for Creative Studies, for example, lists accelerated degrees that combine a BFA and an MFA.