Finding the perfect art school can feel overwhelming. Doesn’t matter if it's animation, painting, photography, or something else, picking the right one is key for a successful artistic future.
But how do you start choosing from all the great schools out there in the U.S.?
In this blog, readers will learn about the top art schools in the U.S., focusing on their programs, reputation, and successful alumni. By the end, it will be easier to see which schools are best for unlocking creative potential.
Let’s dive in!
On This Page
- 1. Top Art Schools in the U.S. (Ranked)
- 2. Best Art Schools in the U.S. for Specific Disciplines
- 3. Additional Blogs Worth Exploring
Top Art Schools in the U.S. (Ranked)
The U.S. has some of the best art schools, each offering different programs in fields like animation, painting, design, and photography. These schools are known for their great teachers, facilities, and opportunities for students to grow as artists.
Now, let’s look at some of the top art schools in the U.S. and what makes them special!
University | Top Ranking | Location | Acceptance Rate |
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) | #1 for Animation | Valencia, California | 25% |
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) | #2 for Fine Arts | Providence, Rhode Island | 26% |
Yale School of Art | #3 for Fine Arts | New Haven, Connecticut | 6% |
Parsons School of Design | #4 for Design | New York City, New York | 35% |
School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) | #5 for Fine Arts | Chicago, Illinois | 70% |
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) | #6 for Animation | Savannah, Georgia | 58% |
Pratt Institute | #7 for Design | Brooklyn, New York | 65% |
Ringling College of Art and Design | #8 for Animation | Sarasota, Florida | 70% |
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) | #9 for Fine Arts | Baltimore, Maryland | 63% |
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | #10 for Fine Arts | Los Angeles, California | 14% |
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)
Reputation: Innovative, Creative
Famous Alumni: Tim Burton, John Lasseter, Brad Bird
Notable Programs: Animation, Film, Fine Arts
Tuition Fees: Around $50,000 per year
Located in Valencia, California, CalArts is one of the best schools for animation and visual arts. The school is known for its creativity and pushing boundaries, especially in the field of animation. Many of its graduates have worked at top companies like Disney and Pixar. CalArts encourages students to think outside the box and develop their own unique style.
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
Reputation: Prestigious, Leading
Famous Alumni: James Franco, Kara Walker, Shepard Fairey
Notable Programs: Painting, Graphic Design, Industrial Design
Tuition Fees: Around $53,000 per year
RISD, located in Providence, Rhode Island, is one of the oldest and most respected art schools in the U.S. It’s known for fine arts, painting, and design programs. The school’s faculty is made up of top artists and designers, helping students develop their skills to the highest level. RISD alumni have gone on to become famous artists, designers, and creators in various industries.
Yale School of Art
Reputation: Famous, Intellectual
Famous Alumni: Chuck Close, Richard Serra, Eva Hesse
Notable Programs: Sculpture, Painting, Photography
Tuition Fees: Around $46,000 per year
Yale School of Art, in New Haven, Connecticut, is known for its strong focus on creativity and intellectual growth. It offers graduate programs in painting, sculpture, and photography, and its graduates are often recognized as leaders in the art world. Yale’s programs are designed to help students develop both their artistic skills and their ability to think critically about art.
Parsons School of Design
Reputation: Top-ranked, Creative
Famous Alumni: Donna Karan, Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs
Notable Programs: Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design
Tuition Fees: Around $49,000 per year
Parsons School of Design, located in New York City, is one of the best schools for students interested in fashion, graphic design, and interior design. The school is known for its strong focus on innovation and creativity. Its location in the heart of New York gives students access to the city’s vibrant arts scene, offering opportunities for internships and collaborations with top designers and artists.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
Reputation: Diverse, Creative
Famous Alumni: Georgia O'Keeffe, Grant Wood, Jeff Koons
Notable Programs: Fine Arts, Photography, Contemporary Art
Tuition Fees: Around $49,000 per year
SAIC, based in Chicago, offers a variety of art programs, including fine arts, photography, and contemporary art. The school’s creative approach encourages students to experiment with different art forms while developing their own unique artistic voice. SAIC is also known for its strong community of artists, making it a great place for students to connect and collaborate.
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
Reputation: Creative, Modern
Famous Alumni: Ellen DeGeneres, John Lasseter, Savannah Miller
Notable Programs: Animation, Fashion Design, Visual Effects
Tuition Fees: Around $40,000 per year
SCAD is known for its cutting-edge programs in animation, film, and visual effects. Located in Savannah, Georgia, SCAD provides students with access to state-of-the-art facilities and a strong connection to the entertainment and design industries. Many SCAD graduates work for major companies like Pixar and Disney, making it a top choice for students interested in animation and visual effects.
Pratt Institute
Reputation: Established, Prestigious
Famous Alumni: Jean-Michel Basquiat, Robert Redford, Mark Morris
Notable Programs: Architecture, Fine Arts, Industrial Design
Tuition Fees: Around $50,000 per year
Pratt Institute, based in Brooklyn, New York, is one of the most respected art schools in the U.S. It offers a variety of programs, including architecture, fine arts, and industrial design. The school’s location in New York City gives students access to a thriving arts scene and many opportunities for internships and collaborations with top companies in design and art.
Ringling College of Art and Design
Reputation: Specialized, Creative
Famous Alumni: Glen Keane, Tom Hanks, Chris Sondreal
Notable Programs: Animation, Illustration, Game Art
Tuition Fees: Around $48,000 per year
Located in Sarasota, Florida, Ringling College of Art and Design is known for its animation and game art programs. The school’s animation program is one of the best in the country, and many graduates go on to work at major animation studios like Pixar and DreamWorks. Ringling College also has strong programs in illustration and game design, making it a great choice for students interested in these fields.
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
Reputation: Established, Diverse
Famous Alumni: Grace Hartigan, Elizabeth Catlett, David Hasselhoff
Notable Programs: Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Printmaking
Tuition Fees: Around $45,000 per year
MICA, located in Baltimore, offers a range of programs in fine arts, graphic design, and printmaking. The school is known for its diverse student body and creative community. MICA encourages students to experiment with different mediums and develop their unique artistic styles. It’s a great place for students who want to explore different art forms while receiving solid technical training.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of the Arts and Architecture
Reputation: Prestigious, Global
Famous Alumni: James Franco, Tim Robbins, Francis Ford Coppola
Notable Programs: Theater, Film, Music
Tuition Fees: Around $45,000 per year
UCLA’s School of the Arts and Architecture offers a variety of programs in theater, film, and music. The school is known for its strong connection to the entertainment industry, and students often have the chance to intern or work with top companies in film, theater, and music. UCLA provides students with the skills they need to succeed in the creative industries while offering an academic environment that pushes students to grow intellectually and creatively.
Best Art Schools in the U.S. for Specific Disciplines
Every art field needs special skills and training. Some schools are better known for programs in animation, painting, photography, or illustration.
Let’s take a look:
Best Art Schools in the U.S. for Animation
Animation is a fast-growing field, and the best schools teach the latest skills and tools needed for careers in movies, video games, and digital media. Let's explore the best art schools for animation, including their programs, tuition, and other key details.
University | Programs Offered | Tuition Fees | Acceptance Rate | Location |
CalArts | Character Animation, Experimental Animation, Digital Arts | $47,000 | 26% | Valencia, California |
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) | Animation, Visual Effects, Game Design | $38,000 | 78% | Savannah, Georgia |
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) | Animation, Digital Media | $52,000 | 27% | Providence, Rhode Island |
University of Southern California (USC) | Animation & Digital Arts | $60,000 | 11% | Los Angeles, California |
Ringling College of Art and Design | Computer Animation, Game Art & Design | $46,000 | 70% | Sarasota, Florida |
Best Art Schools in the U.S. for Painting
Painting is one of the most respected art forms. The best schools for painting offer deep training in both traditional and modern techniques.
Let’s take a look at the best art schools for painting, their programs, tuition, and other important details.
University | Programs Offered | Tuition Fees | Acceptance Rate | Location |
Yale School of Art | Painting/Printmaking, Graphic Design | $50,000 | 6% | New Haven, Connecticut |
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) | Painting, Drawing, Printmaking | $52,000 | 27% | Providence, Rhode Island |
School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) | Painting, Sculpture, Drawing | $51,000 | 60% | Chicago, Illinois |
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | Painting & Drawing, Art History | $43,000 | 14% | Los Angeles, California |
California College of the Arts (CCA) | Painting, Drawing, Sculpture | $49,000 | 65% | Oakland, California |
Best Art Schools in the U.S. for Photography
Photography is a dynamic field that combines technical skills with artistic expression. The best schools offer strong photography programs, teaching students everything from darkroom techniques to digital photography.
Let’s check out the best schools for photography.
University | Programs Offered | Tuition Fees | Acceptance Rate | Location |
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | Photography, New Media | $43,000 | 14% | Los Angeles, California |
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) | Photography, Digital Media | $52,000 | 27% | Providence, Rhode Island |
Parsons School of Design | Photography, Documentary Photography | $50,000 | 35% | New York, New York |
School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) | Photography, Visual Arts | $51,000 | 60% | Chicago, Illinois |
California College of the Arts (CCA) | Photography, Visual Studies | $49,000 | 65% | Oakland, California |
Best Art Schools in the U.S. for Illustration
Illustration is an exciting field that includes everything from children’s books to comics and graphic novels. The best schools offer specialized programs for budding illustrators, focusing on both traditional drawing and digital techniques.
Let’s take a look at the top schools for illustration.
University | Programs Offered | Tuition Fees | Acceptance Rate | Location |
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) | Illustration, Graphic Design | $52,000 | 27% | Providence, Rhode Island |
California College of the Arts (CCA) | Illustration, Comics | $49,000 | 65% | Oakland, California |
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) | Illustration, Animation, Sequential Art | $38,000 | 78% | Savannah, Georgia |
Ringling College of Art and Design | Illustration, Visual Arts | $46,000 | 70% | Sarasota, Florida |
Pratt Institute | Illustration, Fine Arts | $50,000 | 50% | Brooklyn, New York |
In Conclusion!
Choosing the right art school can be tough, but knowing the best ones for your field makes it easier. Whether you want to study animation, painting, photography, or illustration, these schools offer great programs to help you grow as an artist.
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