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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Fine Arts

740 Ranked Colleges
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Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major” ranking.

In 2021-2022, 11,681 people earned their degree in fine arts, making the major the 66th most popular in the United States.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major” ranking looked at 740 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in fine arts. That schools that top this list have a program in fine arts in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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The fine arts school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for fine arts students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Fine Arts

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend School of the Art Institute of Chicago. The school came in at #1 for the Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major. School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 713 ’s fine arts degrees in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full School of the Art Institute of Chicago Fine Arts Report

2
Maine Media College crest
Maine Media College
Rockport, Maine

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Maine Media College. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major. Maine Media College is a small school located in Rockport, Maine that handed out 5 ’s fine arts degrees in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 1 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Maine Media College Fine Arts Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development. The school came in at #3 for the Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major. Institute of American Indian Arts is a public institution located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The school has a small population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Fine Arts at Institute of American Indian Arts

4
PAFA crest
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s fine arts degrees to 33 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Fine Arts at PAFA

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. The school came in at #5 for the Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major. Cooper Union is located in New York, New York and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 62 ’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art Fine Arts Report

6

Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major ranking. This small school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 45 ’s fine arts degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Fine Arts at MIAD

7
8
LCAD crest
Laguna College of Art and Design
Laguna Beach, California

Laguna College of Art and Design ranked #8 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major list. Located in Laguna Beach, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 13 degrees to qualified ’s fine arts students in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Fine Arts at Laguna College of Art and Design

9

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major ranking. Pennsylvania College of Art and Design is located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 8 ’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Fine Arts at Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

10
Maine College of Art crest
Maine College of Art
Portland, Maine

With a ranking of #10, Maine College of Art did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major list. Portland, Maine is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s fine arts degrees to 9 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Fine Arts at Maine College of Art

11
Moore College crest
Moore College of Art and Design
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Moore College of Art and Design came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major ranking. Moore College is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 10 ’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Fine Arts at Moore College

12
Bard crest
Bard College
Annandale-On-Hudson, New York

Bard College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major ranking. Bard College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Annandale-On-Hudson, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 138 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Bard Fine Arts Report

13
Otis College of Art and Design crest
Otis College of Art and Design
Los Angeles, California

Otis College of Art and Design came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major ranking. This small school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 39 ’s fine arts degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Otis College of Art and Design Fine Arts Report

14
Alfred crest
Alfred University
Alfred, New York

Alfred University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major ranking. Alfred is a small school located in Alfred, New York that handed out 69 ’s fine arts degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Alfred University Fine Arts Report

15
VCFA crest
Vermont College of Fine Arts
Montpelier, Vermont

With a ranking of #15, Vermont College of Fine Arts did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major list. VCFA is located in Montpelier, Vermont and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 15 ’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Fine Arts at VCFA

16
Principia crest
Principia College
Elsah, Illinois

Principia College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Elsah, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 6 degrees to qualified ’s fine arts students in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Fine Arts at Principia

17
Cornish College of the Arts crest
Cornish College of the Arts
Seattle, Washington

With a ranking of #17, Cornish College of the Arts did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major list. Located in Seattle, Washington, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 17 degrees to qualified ’s fine arts students in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Cornish College of the Arts Fine Arts Report

18
19
SVA crest
School of Visual Arts
New York, New York

School of Visual Arts landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major ranking. School of Visual Arts is a private for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 84 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Fine Arts at School of Visual Arts

20

California Institute of the Arts did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Valencia, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 36 degrees to qualified ’s fine arts students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full California Institute of the Arts Fine Arts Report

21

Minneapolis College of Art and Design did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major ranking, coming in at #21. Minneapolis College of Art and Design is a small school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 20 ’s fine arts degrees in 2021-2022.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Fine Arts at Minneapolis College of Art and Design

22
Art Center College of Design crest
Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, California

Art Center College of Design landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major ranking. Pasadena, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s fine arts degrees to 37 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Art Center College of Design Fine Arts Report

23
Bryn Athyn College crest
Bryn Athyn College of the New Church
Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania

Bryn Athyn College of the New Church came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major ranking. Bryn Athyn College is located in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1 ’s fine arts degrees to qualified students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Fine Arts at Bryn Athyn College of the New Church

24
25

With a ranking of #25, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major list. Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design is a small private for-profit school situated in Lakewood, Colorado. It awarded 6 ’s fine arts degrees in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Fine Arts at RMCAD

Rest of the Best 50 in Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
28
Lyon crest
Lyon College
Batesville, AR
29
Brevard College crest
Brevard College
Brevard, NC
30
31
Cottey College crest
Cottey College
Nevada, MO
32
Knox crest
Knox College
Galesburg, IL
33
34
Keystone College crest
Keystone College
La Plume, PA
35
Carleton crest
Carleton College
Northfield, MN
36
37
Drew crest
Drew University
Madison, NJ
38
39
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41
Whitman crest
Whitman College
Walla Walla, WA
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43
Spalding crest
Spalding University
Louisville, KY
44
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48
Sweet Briar crest
Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar, VA
48
48

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Schools Highly Focused on Fine Arts Major

While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
51Hollins UniversityRoanoke, VA
52Ripon CollegeRipon, WI
53Wheaton College MassachusettsNorton, MA
54Birmingham Southern CollegeBirmingham, AL
55Holy Cross CollegeNotre Dame, IN
56LaGuardia Community CollegeLong Island City, NY
57Sierra Nevada CollegeIncline Village, NV
58California State University - FullertonFullerton, CA
59Guilford CollegeGreensboro, NC
60Fashion Institute of TechnologyNew York, NY
61Western Colorado UniversityGunnison, CO
62Beacon CollegeLeesburg, FL
63Hastings CollegeHastings, NE
64Randolph CollegeLynchburg, VA
65Otterbein UniversityWesterville, OH
RankCollegeLocation
66Maryville CollegeMaryville, TN
67Bethel College - North NewtonNorth Newton, KS
68Flagler College - St AugustineSaint Augustine, FL
69Rose State CollegeMidwest City, OK
70Eastern Connecticut State UniversityWillimantic, CT
71Colby CollegeWaterville, ME
72Hamilton CollegeClinton, NY
73Ringling College of Art and DesignSarasota, FL
74University of South Carolina - AikenAiken, SC
75Grinnell CollegeGrinnell, IA
76Oberlin CollegeOberlin, OH
77Rhode Island CollegeProvidence, RI
78The New SchoolNew York, NY
79Pitzer CollegeClaremont, CA
80Corning Community CollegeCorning, NY
81Asbury UniversityWilmore, KY
82University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver, CO
83Lesley UniversityCambridge, MA
84Clarke UniversityDubuque, IA
85Gordon CollegeWenham, MA
86Rosemont CollegeRosemont, PA
87Agnes Scott CollegeDecatur, GA
88Purdue University Fort WayneFort Wayne, IN
89University of Northern ColoradoGreeley, CO
90New England CollegeHenniker, NH
RankCollegeLocation
91University of South Carolina - BeaufortBluffton, SC
92Elmira CollegeElmira, NY
93Lewis & Clark CollegePortland, OR
94Salisbury UniversitySalisbury, MD
95Bridgewater CollegeBridgewater, VA
96Fontbonne UniversitySaint Louis, MO
97Georgetown CollegeGeorgetown, KY
98Beloit CollegeBeloit, WI
99The College of IdahoCaldwell, ID
100California State University - Long BeachLong Beach, CA
101Columbia-Greene Community CollegeHudson, NY
102Willamette UniversitySalem, OR
103Hunter CollegeNew York, NY
104Bristol Community CollegeFall River, MA
105Atlantic Cape Community CollegeMays Landing, NJ
106University of Saint Francis - Fort WayneFort Wayne, IN
107University of North GeorgiaDahlonega, GA
108Mount Holyoke CollegeSouth Hadley, MA
109University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha, NE
110MSU TexasWichita Falls, TX
111DePauw UniversityGreencastle, IN
112University of Mary Hardin - BaylorBelton, TX

Notes and References

References

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