by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, art studies was the 56th most popular major nationwide with 18,323 degrees awarded. This 1,503 less than the prior year, a decrease of 8.2%.
This year's Best Art Studies Schools ranking compares 274 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom art studies rankings further below.
A major in art studies prepares you for careers in which talking to others to convey information effectively is crucial. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most art studies degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific art studies careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different art studies degree levels. You can get anything from a in art studies to the highest art studies degree, a . How long it takes to complete some common art studies degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to art studies, with approximately 28.3% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for art studies workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 28.0% |
| Master’s Degree | 22.8% |
| Doctoral Degree | 11.1% |
| High School Diploma | 10.1% |
| Some College Courses | 9.2% |
Most workers in art studies have at least a bachelor's degree. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in art studies have received.
The education level required is different depending on the art studies career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your art studies degree? Art Studies careers are expected to grow 6.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to art studies.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| High School Teachers | 1,095,500 | 7.5% |
| Photographers | 139,000 | -5.6% |
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | 137,200 | 12.0% |
| Fine Artists | 29,900 | 6.8% |
| Craft Artists | 13,100 | 4.8% |
As you might expect, salaries for art studies graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for art studies graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers art studies grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | $82,560 |
| High School Teachers | $64,340 |
| Fine Artists | $58,370 |
| Photographers | $42,770 |
| Craft Artists | $40,490 |
With over 1,163 different art studies degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased art studies school rankings to help you with this.
One of 12 majors within the Fine & Studio Arts area of study, Art Studies has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Fine Arts | 11,922 |
| Art History | 3,512 |
| Other Fine Arts & Art Studies | 837 |
| Intermedia/Multimedia | 805 |
| Painting | 646 |
Image Credit: By Jorge Royan under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
