by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2025, College Factual analyzed 10 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Visual & Performing Arts Master's Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 995 master's degrees in visual & performing arts to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
The visual & performing arts master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:
The overall quality of a master's degree school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To account for this we include a school's overall Best Colleges for a Master's Degree ranking which itself looks at a combination of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their master's degree from the school. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their master's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for visual & performing arts students working on their master's degree.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Visual & Performing Arts Master's Degree Schools in Illinois list, to help you choose the best school for you.
Learn about the top ranked colleges and universities for visual & performing arts students seeking a a master's degree.
Northwestern University is a wonderful choice for individuals interested in a master's degree in visual & performing arts. Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in visual & performing arts from Northwestern University
It's difficult to beat University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign if you wish to pursue a master's degree in visual & performing arts. UIUC is a very large public university located in the small city of Champaign.More information about a master’s in visual & performing arts from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a good option for individuals pursuing a master's degree in visual & performing arts. Located in the large city of Chicago, School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.More information about a master’s in visual & performing arts from School of the Art Institute of Chicago
DePaul University is one of the best schools in the country for getting a master's degree in visual & performing arts. DePaul is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Chicago.More information about a master’s in visual & performing arts from DePaul University
Columbia is a medium-sized private not-for-profit college located in the large city of Chicago.More information about a master’s in visual & performing arts from Columbia College Chicago
Located in the large city of Chicago, UIC is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a master’s in visual & performing arts from University of Illinois at Chicago
Roosevelt is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Chicago.More information about a master’s in visual & performing arts from Roosevelt University
Located in the town of Charleston, EIU is a public university with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a master’s in visual & performing arts from Eastern Illinois University
Illinois State is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized suburb of Normal.More information about a master’s in visual & performing arts from Illinois State University
Located in the suburb of Dekalb, NIU is a public university with a large student population.More information about a master’s in visual & performing arts from Northern Illinois University
Explore all the Best Visual & Performing Arts Colleges in the Great Lakes Area or other specific states within that region.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Music | 292 |
| Fine & Studio Arts | 278 |
| Arts & Media Management | 145 |
| Drama & Theater Arts | 121 |
| Design & Applied Arts | 82 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | 62 |
| General Visual & Performing Arts | 10 |
| Dance | 5 |
