Top Art and Design Schools

Art and design degrees are earned at many colleges and universities across the United States. Choosing the right art and design program can give you many advantages.

If you prefer to learn virtually, there are a number of online schools that offer quality art and design programs. Or if being in a classroom setting is your preference, a traditional college would offer in-class benefits.

Whether you are seeking an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree, a degree in the art and design field can prepare you to begin or move up in your career.

Art & Design Degree Programs

Degree programs at the art and design schools listed below may include:

• ceramics
• photography
• textiles
• architecture
• product design
• graphic design
• advertising design
• animation
• interior design
• fine arts

Top Art & Design Schools

1. Rhode Island School of Design

As a private fine arts school, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is one of the oldest art schools in the United States that offers bachelor's and master's degree programs.

Top Bachelor's degree programs include:

• ceramics
• interior design
• photography

Graduate degrees offered by RSD include a variety of specializations such as:

• painting
• graphic design
• sculpture
• script development.

RISD Continuing Education offers online courses that are flexible and can be taken from anywhere in the world. RISD CE brings together a community of thinkers and makers to achieve a high-quality education in the arts.

2. Yale University

According to U.S. News & World Report, Yale is ranked either the first or second best fine arts program in the fields of graphic design, painting/drawing, photography, and sculpture.

This Ivy League school offers the flexibility of learnings online for those that do not reside in the New Haven, Connecticut area.

3. University of California Los Angeles

UCLA has a highly reputable fine arts program with several top 2 ranked art and design programs.

Overall, U.S. News & World Report ranks UCLA as the best fine arts program in the United States.

Art and design degree programs include:

• painting/drawing
• photography
• sculpture
• time-based media/new media

4. School of the Art Institute of Chicago

If you are looking for a traditional bachelor's degree, a post-bachelor degree, or a professional certificate in the art and design industry, SAIC in Chicago has multiple top-rated options.

Programs offered by SAIC include:

• art education or administration
• art history
• art therapy
• designed objects
• studio art

With over 3,000 students, the School of the Art Institute in Chicago is one of the largest independent schools for art and design in the US.

SAIC offers online courses for those seeking a flexible learning path. SAIC continuing studies offer courses in digital design, art history, interior design, digital drawing, and more.

5. CUNY Queens

CUNY Queens offers art and design bachelor's and master's degree education programs. Specializations include art history, studio art, and design.

The BA in Studio Art degree may fulfill many qualifications to become an art teacher.

CUNY Queens offers art students many opportunities to study abroad, a benefit not offered at every art school.

6. Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU's Fine Arts school is highly rated and offers a diverse range of degree programs.

VCU's top-rated art programs include:

• sculpture
• printmaking
• graphic design
• painting/drawing
• fashion design
• communication arts

Virginia Commonwealth University offers several online learning options for those preferring to learn remotely.

7. Irvine Valley College

Located in Southern California, Irvine College offers art-time attendance opportunities for high school students, which allows them to earn college credits before graduating high school.

Art and design degree programs include:

• art history
• digital media art
• interactive media arts
• studio arts

8. Maryland Institute College of Art

Located in Baltimore, Maryland Institute College of Art has one of the best sculpting and graphic design programs in the country.

Other art majors and minors offered include:

• animation
• architectural design
• art education
• ceramics
• drawing
• film and video
• game design
• illustration
• painting
• photography
• product design

9. California Institute of the Arts

CIA is consistently ranked among the top five best art schools in the country. Offering bachelor's and master's degree programs, CIA has a wide range of art degree options.

Some of these fields of study include:

• art and technology
• character animation
• acting
• costume design
• dance
• digital arts
• directing
• film and video
• music technology
• photography and media
• variety of musical instrument programs

10. Alfred University

Based in New York, Alfred University offers traditional art and design degrees and is known for its master's program in electronic integrated arts.

Alfred University offers online learning options where you can take courses and get your degree entirely online.

Some art and design degree programs include:

• art
• ceramic art
• drawing, painting, and photography
• expanded media
• sculpture and dimensional studies
• art theory and history
• art education

Other Top-Rated Art & Design Programs

• The Art Center College of Design
• Carnegie Mellon University
• University of Michigan
• Bard College
• Columbia University
• Arizona State University
• Pratt Institute
• University of California-Berkeley
• Massachusetts College of Art
• University of Texas-Austin
• University of Iowa

Many of these institutions are highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report, which ranks academic institutions based on quality and value.

Find An Art and Design School Today

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