Art is inherently subjective, and this fluidity of interpretation can make selecting top art colleges challenging for students! If you want to pursue a studio art major, then digging deeply into your individual priorities and college research are going to be necessary to find the right fit. Ask yourself: Do you want to be in a major urban environment with a thriving art scene? Are you inspired by nature and a peaceful setting? Do you want to have easy access to internships? Is it important to you to have a liberal arts education in addition to your art major? Do you want to double major or minor in a different field? What kinds of teachers and mentors do you hope to work with?
Reflecting on these questions will help you identify your best-fit college. The answers might lead you towards an art-focused college or alternatively, a university that houses an excellent art program within a broader range of majors and liberal arts curriculum.
No matter what type of art program you pursue, your current art teacher is a great resource to help you prepare for art portfolio requirements that will likely be a key part of your admissions process.
FUTURE ART MAJORS: HOW TO PLAN AHEAD
Prospective art majors should begin their research and planning well in advance to ensure they have ample time to develop a strong portfolio, alongside their other application requirements. After all, a high-quality portfolio cannot be created overnight. Additionally, participating in a summer program at an art school can provide valuable opportunities to create additional portfolio pieces while helping to refine your ideas about what kind of college environment you are seeking. This website, curated by a former RISD professor, lists some options for summer art programs for high school students to start your exploration. With a clear vision for your creative goals rooted in reflection and preparation, we are sure you will find an art program that allows you to flourish as an artist!
We’ve curated a list of leading art schools along with some of the best art programs within comprehensive university settings. There are many more excellent art schools to explore and hopefully, this is just the beginning of your research as you consider what type of program suits you best.
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SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN AND OTHER TOP ART SCHOOLS
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
SCAD is recognized for its expansive curriculum, offering degrees in Animation, Sequential Art, Interactive Design, Film & Television, and more. With campuses in Savannah, Atlanta, and an outpost in a 16th century farmhouse in Lacoste, France, SCAD allows students to experience a range of cultural and artistic influences. A key feature of SCAD’s curriculum is the ability to complement a major with one of over 70 minors, promoting interdisciplinary learning.
Dr. Tina Brooks, TTA Senior Private Counselor who spent some time at SCAD recently, notes: SCAD is unlike any other college campus, with facilities in 80 buildings around Savannah. From a VR volume (where a game design engine creates Virtual Reality filming sets), to a massive backlot where students can add to their portfolios by participating in professional film shoots, to 3-D printers for any student to use, to an extensive resource library of fabric samples to prep for a fashion show of student work, the resources and inspiration are all a creative student could want.
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
One of the most prestigious art and design schools in the world, RISD offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in various disciplines, including Painting, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Illustration, and Architecture. RISD emphasizes a strong foundation in studio-based learning while also integrating liberal arts courses. Additionally, its proximity to Brown University allows students to take advantage of cross-registration opportunities, adding depth to their education.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
Connected to the world-renowned Art Institute of Chicago, SAIC provides students with an interdisciplinary approach to art education. Students can explore programs such as Art Therapy, Comics & Graphic Novels, Visual Communication Design, Fiber & Material Studies, and Sound Art. The curriculum at SAIC is largely self-directed, allowing students to carve their unique artistic paths with the support of faculty and extensive facilities.
Pratt Institute
Located in Brooklyn, New York, Pratt Institute offers specialized BFA programs in disciplines like Fashion Design, Photography, Digital Arts, and Interior Design. The school strongly advises against applying as an undecided major, emphasizing the importance of early research into its diverse programs. Beyond studio courses, Pratt integrates liberal arts and humanities courses to foster critical thinking and contextual awareness in its artists and designers.
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)
Co-founded by Walt Disney, CalArts is famous for fostering creativity and innovation in the arts. The BFA programs span Animation, Experimental Film, Character Animation, and Fine Arts, among others. With a focus on experimental and avant-garde approaches, CalArts encourages students to push boundaries in their creative practice. The institute’s close ties to the film and animation industry make it an excellent choice for students looking to work in entertainment and media.
COLLEGES WITH STRONG UNDERGRADUATE ART PROGRAMS
While primarily known for their strengths in other fields, the following universities also offer top-tier undergraduate art programs with excellent faculty and resources:
New York University (NYU)
NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and the Steinhardt School offer programs in Fine Arts, Studio Art, and Digital Art. The integration of NYU’s extensive liberal arts curriculum with hands-on studio work makes it an appealing choice for students seeking a well-rounded education in the city that never sleeps.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT’s Arts, Culture, and Technology (ACT) program provides an interdisciplinary approach to art-making, often merging technology with creative expression. With resources such as the MIT Media Lab, students have access to cutting-edge research in interactive design, computational art, and digital fabrication.
Yale University
Yale’s School of Art offers rigorous undergraduate courses with a strong emphasis on conceptual development and critical discourse. While the only degree offered is the MFA, the undergraduate program provides a strong foundation in Painting, Sculpture, Graphic Design, and Printmaking.
Carnegie Mellon University
The School of Art at Carnegie Mellon University offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis on interdisciplinary practice, incorporating new media, robotics, and computational art. The program’s connection to CMU’s strong technology and engineering departments makes it ideal for students interested in digital and interactive media.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA’s School of the Arts and Architecture offers a competitive undergraduate art program with access to state-of-the-art studios and research opportunities. Areas of study include Painting & Drawing, Ceramics, Sculpture, and New Genres, encouraging experimental and multimedia approaches.
Princeton University
Though better known for its liberal arts and sciences programs, Princeton offers a highly selective Visual Arts program within the Lewis Center for the Arts. The program provides intimate studio courses and one-on-one faculty mentorship, allowing students to develop a deeply personal and reflective artistic practice and offers the Princeton community over 100 performances, exhibitions, readings, film screenings and lectures each year.
By conducting early research, attending summer programs, and thoughtfully preparing portfolios, aspiring art students can identify and apply to the programs that best fit their creative ambitions. These schools offer a diverse range of opportunities, from traditional fine arts to cutting-edge digital media, ensuring that every student can find a place where their artistic vision will thrive.
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