1. Rhode Island School of Design has sixteen undergraduate degree options from painting and photography to multimedia and four fields of design.
2. Yale University School of Art offers single undergraduate major, but graduate programs with multiple disciplines.
3. School of the Art Institute of Chicago has undergraduate options that include a degree in Interior Architecture.
4. Cranbrook Academy of Art offers degrees in both 2D Design and 3D Design.
5. Maryland Institute College of Art offers a degree in Interaction Design and Art that combines technology with design principles.
6. Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts has eighteen undergraduate departments ranging from Theater to Fashion Design.
7. California Institute of the Arts offers comprehensive programs in both visual and performing arts.
8. Carnegie Mellon University College of Fine Arts offers Architecture, Design, Art, Drama and Music.
9. UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture has six widely diverse departments.
10. Alfred University–New York State College of Ceramics has the finest MFA in Ceramics in the nation.   
11. Art Center College of Design offers undergraduate programs in both Transportation Design and Entertainment Design.
12. California College of the Arts has twenty one undergraduate majors in fine arts and design.         
13. Columbia University School of the Arts offers Film, Theater, Writing and Visual Arts.
14. Temple University Tyler School of Art has twelve departments covering the visual arts and art history.
15. Bard College Division of the Arts offers undergraduate options in visual and performing arts.      
16. Pratt Institute School of Art and Design has undergraduate degrees in Industrial Design, Film and many other options.
17. School of Visual Arts in New York offers a tremendous range of undergraduate fine art options
18. UC San Diego Department of Visual Arts offers a Studio major that touches on painting, drawing, sculpture, performance, installation, media and new genres.     
19. University of Texas College of Fine Arts includes a School of Music, Department of Theater and Dance, and several other disciplines.        
20. Washington University in St. Louis School of Design and Visual Arts includes undergraduate programs in architecture and several art disciplines.
21. CUNY–Hunter College has Departments in Music, Theater and Art.         
22. Parsons School of Design has five schools including one dedicated to Fashion.     
23. Ohio State University Department of Art recently opened an Art and Technology Studio available for several academic majors         
24. Otis College of Art and Design includes Fine Arts as just one of its Departments. 
25. Rochester Institute of Technology College of Imaging Arts and Sciences has six schools dedicated to various art disciplines.
26. UC Davis Department of Art and Art History offers a major in Technocultural Studies.
27. University of Illinois School of Architecture and the Arts includes Performing Arts in its undergraduate programs.
28.  University of Iowa School of Art and Art History offers many of the Visual Arts, Art History and Art Education.
29. University of Wisconsin Art Department offers degrees in Woodworking, Glass & Neon and Digital Modeling.
30. Arizona State University Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts has 27 undergraduate and graduate degree choices.
31. Indiana University School of Fine Arts has Studio Art and Art History divisions.
32. Massachusetts College of Art offers twenty two majors for fine artists and art students.   
33. New York University Department of Art and Art Professions has a graduate program in Art Therapy.     
34. Rutgers – Mason Gross School of the Arts offers programs in Dance, Music, Theater and Visual Arts.
35. San Francisco Art Institute has several fine arts programs and a liberal arts degree as well.
36. UC Berkeley Department of Art Practice includes undergraduate programs in Studio Art, Performance Art, and Digital Art.
37. Minneapolis College of Art and Design offers a BFA program with fourteen majors.
38. Tufts University/School of the Museum of Fine Arts has eight study tracks that include Performing Arts.
39. University of Georgia Lamar Dodd School of Art has a BFA program with areas of concentration that include Scientific Illustration and Fabric Design.                 
40. University of Michigan School of Art and Design has a BFA in Interarts Performance that is a joint venture of the Theater, Music and Art& Design Schools.
41. University of Southern California Roski School of Fine Arts offers a BFA degree and a BFA/Studio Arts degree.
42. University of Washington School of Art has Art, Art History and Design Divisions.         
43. University of the Arts in Philadelphia offers Drama, Ballet, Jazz Studies and Film as undergraduate options.                       
44. Herron School of Art & Design is Indiana University’s home for Fine Arts.           
45. Stanford University Department of Art and Art History  offers undergraduate programs designed to lead to more focused graduate work in an artistic medium.  
46. University of Arizona College of Fine Arts has Schools of Art, Music, Dance, Theater and Media Arts.
47. University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art & Planning wraps its School of Art with schools dedicated to urban aesthetics.           
48. University of Pennsylvania School of Design offers an MFA program but no undergraduate fine arts option.
49. Claremont Graduate University Art Department has a range of fine art options.
50. Cleveland Institute of Art offers eighteen majors including Biomedical Art.          
51. Cornell University Department of Art offers dual degrees including a BFA/BS in Engineering.    
52. Pennsylvania State University School of Visual Arts includes a Studio Art undergraduate program incorporated with a liberal arts curriculum.   
53. Syracuse University Department of Art & Music Histories is oriented more to the liberal arts focus than studio work.
54. University of Minnesota Department of Art offers a range of graduate programs in the visual arts.
55. University of New Mexico College of Fine Arts has graduate programs in both Music and Theater & Dance.           
56. University of Tennessee – Knoxville School of Art has a highly regarded BFA in Graphic Design.
57. Boston University College of Fine Arts includes Schools of Music, Visual Arts and Theatre.        
58. California State University – Long Beach Department of Art has two thousand students enrolled in fifteen degree programs.        
59. California State University – Los Angeles Department of Art has a Studio Arts program with focal areas in several of the Visual Arts.
60. Mills College Art Department offers both Studio Art and Art History at the undergraduate level.
61. Ohio University College of Fine Arts includes Schools of Art, Dance, Music, Theater, and Film.
62. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is a school within a museum with extensive BFA and MFA choices.
63. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute School of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences offers some remarkable arts programs including a Department of Electronic Arts.           
64. SUNY–Purchase College School of the Arts offers Dance, Theatre Arts& Film, and Music.
65. San Diego State University School of Art, Design and Art History has undergraduate programs in both Graphic Design and Multimedia.
66. Southern Illinois University School of Art and Design has a Communications Design major for undergraduates.         
67. UC Irvine Department of Studio Art offers an MFA program with strong emphasis on contemporary art.
68. UC Santa Barbara Department of Art            works closely with the Department of Media Arts housed elsewhere in the University.
69. University of Chicago Department of Visual Arts has an MFA program with concentrations in photography, painting, performance art, sculpture, and new media.           
70. University of Colorado Department of Art and Art History  has an Integrated Arts Program offering a multidisciplinary opportunity to graduate students.   

Why should you major in art and design? If you are passionate about turning ideas into images, capturing images, creating things, or even just about art itself, then you will find an art or design degree to serve you well in your future. Not many people actually get the chance to have a career that they love. If you get that chance, you should grab it and run with it, because it is such a special thing. Art and design careers are leading many other industries right now in terms of job opportunities, future growth, and job security. This is yet another great reason to major in art and design.

With so many different careers out there to choose from, it can sometimes be difficult to think of picking just one career that you will love for the rest of your life. Of course, if you invest the time and education into a degree that you aren’t passionate about, you will likely regret your decision. However, if you love art or if you live for some type of art or design, making it a career is a great decision. There are plenty of schools and degree programs that are created just for people like you: people who are passionate and creative. Turning that creativity into a paycheck isn’t difficult with so many different art majors to choose from.

What types of people are best suited for art and design majors? Truthfully, as long as you have the passion for the craft, you can get an art degree. Anyone can major in art as long as they are able to learn the skills to do the job that they choose. Your reasons for majoring in a particular field or area of interest are yours alone. No one can tell you which educational path or career to choose, and no one can tell you why you should choose one career over another. Careers in art can be fun, rewarding, and very lucrative for many. They are a great choice for some, but they might not be for everyone. Take the time to look at the resources that you have and figure out what you want to do. 

Museums are big employers of art graduates. Those who hold degrees in art criticism, history, or even fine arts can find their own places in museums.

Advertising agencies are also quite fond of artists. Their print ads and billboards don’t draw or create themselves, after all. Students with graphic design or commercial art degrees will be best suited for these positions.

The entertainment industry, specifically movies and TV, employ a lot of animation graduates and illustrators. These careers are very glamorous and are usually much more fun-oriented than other careers.

Interior design companies are a popular employer for art school graduates because of the high number of graduates who earn interior design degrees. This is a career field that is constantly growing, so this employer should always be on the list.

Magazines and newspapers employ their fair share of art graduates. They always have a need for artists, and can provide people with the careers that they need to utilize their degrees best. Often, graphic designers, commercial artist, and photojournalists will find the most work here.

Publishing companies employ a lot of illustrators and other art graduates. They utilize their services for books by authors who do not illustrate and for other purposes around the business.

Business and industry employers are another popular group on the list. These companies are known for having commercial artists and graphic designers on staff so that their advertising and marketing can be done in-house.

Depending on the art degree that you have, the employers that you have to choose from will be different than the ones on this list. Keep in mind that this list is in no particular order and simply serves to offer a sampling of the top employers that seek out art school graduates. It is designed to help you learn what to do with your career so that you can make the most of your education. By taking the time to learn about these things before you choose a school or degree, you might find yourself having an easier decision to make in the end. Of course, popularity doesn’t really matter as long as you find the right career for your needs in the end.

Rhode Island School of Design: This school makes the top spot for both undergraduate and graduate art degrees, and is based in Providence, Rhode Island.

Maryland Institute College of Art: The Maryland Institute is well known for being funky, urban, and hip. The campus is in Baltimore, Maryland.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago: The Art Institutes are one of the best-known schools in the country for arts and creative degrees. This Chicago-based school provides some of the best training in the Midwest.

Cleveland Institute of Art: Although this school started off as the Western Reserve School of Design for Women, it has blossomed into a very well-known and established art school for artists of all kinds.

Kansas City Art Institute: This art school is the alma mater of the late Walt Disney, and is located in Kansas City, Missouri. It has a range of programs for students in all disciplines.

California College of the Arts: This school is based in San Francisco, which is known for being a very art-friendly city in the first place.

Tyler School of Art: The Tyler School of Art is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is part of Temple University. It’s one of the most affordable art schools on the list.

Otis College of Art and Design: Otis is located in Los Angeles and caters to all the creative minds on the West Coast.

Pratt Institute: The Pratt Institute is located in Brooklyn, New York and is known for turning out the likes of Dave Berg, Harvey Fierstein, Robert Redford, and Rob Zombie.

Corcoran College of Art and Design: Located in Washington, D.C., this art school includes its own gallery that is considered one of the finest museums in the entire city.

These are the top undergraduate art schools in the United States, and they have great programs to choose from. Of course, the schools that come next through the 20 or 30^th spot are still great schools that are worth checking out if these ones don’t suit your tastes or goals.

• Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode Island
• Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
• Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
• Maryland Institute of Art, Baltimore Maryland
• Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
• California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, California
• UCLA, Los Angeles, California
• Alfred University, Alfred, New York
• Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, California
• California College of the Arts, San Francisco, California
• Columbia University, New York, New York

These schools are all ranked according to the standards set by U.S. News, and many of them are tied for spots. While this does list the top 12 schools, there are three tied for 4^th, three tied for 7^th, and three tied for 11^th place according to their score. The scores are determined based on expert opinions of program quality and statistics that are used to measure faculty, research, and students at any given college or university. The data used is collected from surveys that are done on more than 1,000 different programs and over 11,000 academics and professionals. Additionally, this information is the most current available and is based on information collected in the fall of 2008.

Finding the right college is hard enough, but finding the best graduate school is going to make all the difference in your career success. If you are going to go to the trouble of getting a graduate degree, you should seek out the best colleges and programs available so that you have the best chances of success possible. Everyone has different needs for their education and career, which is why the final decision will always be up to you in the end.

Keep in mind that while these schools are ranked as the best graduate schools for art, they are ranked as being the best fine art schools. Therefore, if you want to know how each one rates in a specific discipline of art, you will want to make sure that you ask questions and dig deeper to find the best program. Hopefully this information will help you pursue the best graduate degree possible.

-Fine arts (drawing, painting, sculpting, etc.)

-Art History (a very general degree, often for teaching)

-Graphic design

-3D Design

-Advertising art

-Animation

-Interior Design

-Fashion Design

-Illustration

-Multimedia

-Photography

-Web Design

These are just a short selection of the list of over 30 different majors that are available in the art discipline. Depending on which area of art interests you most, you can choose the degree program that suits your needs. If you want to create billboards, ads, and other marketing materials, choose Commercial Art or Advertising Art. If you’re a painter at heart, major in Fine Arts and see where your passion can take you. It doesn’t matter what your passion is, because there are plenty of options to choose from.

The most popular degrees for art design include:

Graphic Design: This degree includes education in analyzing, planning, and creating communication solutions. Being able to communicate verbally, in writing, and visually are important skills to have. Of course, creativity and artistic skills will definitely help.

Animation: A far cry from the hours of sketching and hand drawing, today’s animation professionals have a variety of tools that can be used to create the best cartoons, video games, and movies. Animation is a career that is in high demand right now, which is what makes it so popular.

Photography: A photography degree can offer a chance to start your own studio or photography business, or to work as a freelance photographer. Of course, you can find employed positions with companies, as well. Careers often include commercial photography, photojournalism, and professional self-employment.

Fashion Design: Clothing isn’t just practical. Fashion design careers can offer a chance to express yourself in a whole new way. There are all kinds of programs to choose from and a multitude of routes for career success. Whether you choose to work in high-end fashion or as a children’s clothing designer, a fashion design degree can turn your passion into paychecks.

Interior Design: A house is not a home until it is properly decorated, right? If you answered yes, this might be the art degree for you. Interior design consists of sketching and designing spaces in homes and commercial buildings. Interior designers must be detail-oriented, accepting of new ideas, have good communication skills, and be able to manage budgets, deadlines, and other people.

Hopefully this information has provided you with a little more insight on which art majors are best and how you can find the one that’s right for you. After all, when it comes to career success, that’s really all that matters. 

These are the top 10 art schools and their ranking, according to U.S. News and World Report. This periodical is known for publishing college lists every year for students who are starting their futures. They use expert opinion of programs along with statistics about faculty, programs, and students in order to compile the best and most accurate information. Schools are then ranked accordingly.

Choosing the best art schools is going to make a big difference in the success of any art career. Students need to make sure that they are utilizing the resources that they are given, and that they are able to make the most of their education by choosing the best schools that they can find. Art schools are very popular, and these are the best of the best, as ranked by an authority on colleges and rankings. Students who attend any of these schools can count on getting the best education possible and knowing that they got their education from the best schools in the country.

Art schools are also ranked by individual discipline or area of study. If you want to find the best graphic design schools, you will have a different list to choose from than someone looking for the best fine arts programs in the country. Take a look at the rest of the U.S. News website to see what else you can find out about your chosen degree or even to see if your chosen school made the list. In the end, it will be up to you to choose the right program for your needs, but with reliable and factual information, the decision should be much easier to make.

Animator: Animators create special effects and animations for TV, movies, and video games. Technology has changed the animation career very drastically in the past decade, and a new breed of professionals is in high demand.

Art Educator: Those who love art, but don’t want to be an artist, can find a career in education. Becoming an art teacher at any level of education is very rewarding. Many educators will obtain higher degrees in fine arts or general art studies to find the best careers.

Graphic Designer: Graphic designers are tasked with turning ideas and concepts into images and real products. This career generally requires a bachelor’s degree, as well as individuals who can turn concepts into tangible images.

Interior Designer: Interior design involves working with personal tastes, building codes and space limitations to maximize the appeal of any room or building. This job is perfect for anyone who enjoys making spaces more livable and enjoyable.

Art Therapist: Art therapy is a limited career field, but it has many options. Art therapists can work in counseling, private practice, and even in a medical setting. This career is perfect for those who enjoy helping others.

Illustrator: The role of the illustrator is to create images for digital and print media. There are many fields that can be chosen, from medical services and textbook illustration to advertising and marketing. Over 60% of illustrators are self employed.

Fine Artist: The fine artist, to many, is the true artist. These are painters, sketch artists, drawing professionals, and even sculptors. A degree in fine arts can lead to a rewarding career creating art purely for enjoyment. This career is one of the most difficult to get into when it comes to art and design jobs.

Commercial Artist: A commercial artist typically works for an advertising agency or another similar business. Commercial art is anything created for public use, such as billboards, magazine ads, and other advertising materials.

Photographer: Photographers can work in a variety of different environments. Whether they choose to work in freelance photography or working for a company, there is plenty of success to be found. Photographers will take pictures of events, for commercial use, or for photojournalism.

Web Designer: Web designers are in high demand right now. There are literally billions of websites already online, along with plenty more to come in the future. If you enjoy customizing websites, web design can be a great career choice. These professionals learn design coding, style and art, and related courses to use in their careers.

Why not turn your passion into a great career with one of these choices today?

-Start by choosing a few schools. You can have a list that consists of 5-10 schools that you want to consider. Realistically, you need to check out multiple schools but you shouldn’t apply to more than you can handle. If you don’t apply to them all at first, you can always go back and apply later if you want to consider them.

-Read instructions. This is the most important rule of applying to art school, or any college for that matter. Read the application instructions thoroughly before you even let your pen touch the page. Make sure that you fully understand what is expected of you and how to properly fill out the application. If you mess up on the application, schools are probably not going to take you very seriously.

-Ask for help when you need it. You should know your personal information, high school information, and other relevant parts of your life. However, when it comes to personal statements, essays, and sample submissions for art school, it never hurts to ask for help if you don’t understand something or you aren’t sure what to do or say. It is better to get an opinion from someone else than to just wing it and hope that it turns out okay.

-Get two applications and fill out the first one in pencil. It may sound tedious, but you will be able to change things until you are certain that it is exactly right. Then, use ink on the second application and fill it out by copying the first one. Don’t change things once you switch to the pen, because if you have an error it’s hard to fix.

-Use online applications or online submission whenever you can. Not only will it get to the school faster and save them the hassle of opening and reading through your application packet, but it will get you an answer faster in most cases. By applying online you can make their life and your life easier.

These are some great tips to help you when it comes to applying for art school programs. The exact program that you choose doesn’t matter, because these tips will work in any situation.

You SHOULD consider online art degrees if you:

-Are self-motivated

-Need a faster education

-Are looking for flexible classes

-Live in a remote area and need accessibility

-Are disciplined and organized

-Are furthering your current career with continuing education

You SHOULD NOT consider online art degrees if you:

-Are lazy or lacking direction

-Are looking for the ultimate educational experience

-Are a hands-on learner

-Are accessible to better art school programs in your community

-Can afford a traditional education

-Have the time to attend typical classes and want to do so

-Cannot stay organized or maintain your own daily schedule

Taking online classes is a really great way to get a degree for people who might not have been able to otherwise. However, it is not to be used as a copout for people who just don’t want the ‘hassle’ of going to a traditional class. There are many great advantages to online education, including the fact that it is affordable, flexible, and accessible. That said, you should also keep in mind that the disadvantages might outweigh these perks in certain situations.

Online courses can be effective. They allow people to make the most of their careers in a limited time. You can obtain a certificate, diploma, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, and even master’s or PhD with online courses in many disciplines. Keep in mind, though, that art is a very hands-on career field and might benefit from a traditional education in some cases. There is a different answer for every individual because each situation is different. Don’t let others tell you that you should or shouldn’t take classes online. Use the information that is available (like this article) to determine for yourself what is best.

If you do choose to study at an art school online, you will have many great programs to choose from. Some of the top art schools in the country have turned their programs into online courses, allowing anyone to get a degree for their new career no matter what situation they might be in. For the most part, this is a very circumstantial decision that you have to make on your own. Review the facts, take a long, hard look at yourself and your habits, and then figure out what’s right for your education.