# Fine and Studio Arts

> A general program that focuses on the introductory study and appreciation of the visual arts. Includes instruction in art, photography, and other visual communications media.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/programs/fine-and-studio-arts
- CIP code: 50.07 (Visual and Performing Arts)
- Colleges offering it: 1,052 at its most common degree level

## Outcomes by degree level (College Scorecard, 2025)

| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings 1 yr | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median federal debt |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Certificate | 139 | $39,034 | $40,573 | $27,000 |
| Associate's | 416 | $25,771 | $32,032 | $11,000 |
| Bachelor's | 1,052 | $31,161 | $41,550 | $21,250 |
| Master's | 272 | $39,982 | $49,053 | $41,000 |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Doctoral | 58 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| First professional | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 46 | not reported | not reported | not reported |

## Colleges whose graduates earn the most (Bachelor's)

Only programs with at least 10 graduates are listed.

| College | Location | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: |
| [University of Southern California](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-southern-california-usc-3050) | Los Angeles, CA | $72,428 | $19,875 |
| [Dartmouth College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/dartmouth-college-769) | Hanover, NH | $68,523 | not reported |
| [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor-main-campus-2956) | Ann Arbor, MI | $66,846 | $19,708 |
| [Vassar College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/vassar-college-3116) | Poughkeepsie, NY | $63,418 | not reported |
| [Connecticut College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/connecticut-college-700) | New London, CT | $61,321 | not reported |
| [Brown University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/brown-university-314) | Providence, RI | $60,985 | $17,420 |
| [Fordham University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/fordham-university-990) | Bronx, NY | $60,515 | $27,000 |
| [Binghamton University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/binghamton-university-suny-249) | Vestal, NY | $60,299 | $15,875 |
| [California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo-slo-360) | San Luis Obispo, CA | $59,721 | $18,250 |
| [Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/virginia-polytechnic-institute-and-state-university-3134) | Blacksburg, VA | $58,652 | $22,500 |

## Related careers (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk)

- [Art Directors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/art-directors): $114,850 median pay
- [Special Effects Artists and Animators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/special-effects-artists-and-animators): $102,030 median pay
- [Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/art-drama-and-music-teachers-postsecondary): $78,620 median pay
- [Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/secondary-school-teachers-except-special-and-career-technical-education): $72,040 median pay
- [Artists and Related Workers, All Other](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/artists-and-related-workers-all-other): $71,240 median pay
- [Appraisers of Personal and Business Property](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/appraisers-of-personal-and-business-property): $67,960 median pay
- [Archivists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/archivists): $64,550 median pay
- [Curators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/curators): $63,420 median pay
- [Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/fine-artists-including-painters-sculptors-and-illustrators): $55,490 median pay
- [Gem and Diamond Workers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/gem-and-diamond-workers): $52,540 median pay
- [Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/jewelers-and-precious-stone-and-metal-workers): $52,540 median pay
- [Museum Technicians and Conservators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/museum-technicians-and-conservators): $51,440 median pay
- [Craft Artists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/craft-artists): $46,080 median pay
- [Photographers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/photographers): $44,660 median pay

## More in Visual and Performing Arts

- [Music](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/music): 1,058 colleges
- [Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/drama-theatre-arts-and-stagecraft): 862 colleges
- [Design and Applied Arts](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/design-and-applied-arts): 652 colleges
- [Film/Video and Photographic Arts](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/film-video-and-photographic-arts): 427 colleges
- [Visual and Performing Arts, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/visual-and-performing-arts-general): 298 colleges
- [Dance](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/dance): 278 colleges
- [Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/arts-entertainment-and-media-management): 230 colleges
- [Visual and Performing Arts, Other](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/visual-and-performing-arts-other): 62 colleges

## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/