Top 8 Best Art Schools in the United States

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Arts have become increasingly prominent in many people’s lives with the emergence of innovative art forms like fashion and cinema. Over the years, social media has profoundly endorsed the global spread of artistic expression, crossing borders to inspire and engage creative minds worldwide. 

Aspiring artists seeking to refine their craft and explore their vision often turn to art schools that offer exceptional educational opportunities. The United States has a renowned reputation for nurturing artistic talent, with its art schools producing prominent figures across various creative industries.

Taking into account factors like ranges of majors, tuition fees, and post-graduation employment rates, here is a list of the top 8 best art schools in the US, according to data published by Art & Object and Admission Sight. 

1. Savannah College of Art and Design 

Founded in 1978, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) remains a pioneer, scoring a spectacular post-graduation employment rate of 99%. Notable alumni include Octavia Spencer (Academy Award-winning actress), India Arie (Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter), and Jeremiah Brent (Interior designer and television personality). 

While the admission rate stays about 70%, SCAD offers more than a hundred degree programs in the fine arts that explore drawing, animation, sculpture, and even preservation design. To secure a place at this esteemed campus, aspiring students are evaluated based on their artistic potential and academic achievements. 

2. School of the Art Institute of Chicago 

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), renowned as one of the prestigious independent art and design schools, has an extensive curriculum to facilitate the most talented and dedicated students. The substantial curriculum is reflected through a 92% post-graduation employment rate.  

Since its early days in 1866, the school has established a reputation in the art world for its low acceptance rate. Only 30% of the applicants are accepted following a thorough evaluation. The school offers exceptional programs that cater to various artistic interests, including fashion design, photography, and art education.  

3. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) 

Rhode Island School of Design has a well-maintained reputation within the arts industry. Offering programs like apparel design, painting, and ceramics, the school has a fantastic tuition fee starting from US$61,564. Still, it is well-justified by the school’s exceptional post-graduation employment rate of 97%. 

4. Yale University School of Art 

As a distinguished member of the Ivy League, Yale University is an intimidating choice with an acceptance rate of 4.4%. The school boasts impressive studios, advanced art technologies, and museums located in New Haven, Connecticut. While the tuition fee, starting at US$67,250, may be on the higher side, the school’s academic reputation is beyond the fence. 

5. Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt)

Massachusetts College of Art and Design has 18 undergraduate programs that include architecture, illustration, animation, painting, and metal-smithing. The school’s excellence is not the only factor attracting aspiring artists. Its convenient location with easy access to the public transportation system, provides students with easy mobility and connectivity. Additionally, the school presents a generous array of grants offered by the MassArt Foundation of Scholarships. 

6. New York University 

New York University has a wealth of opportunities for creative minds, providing students with the choice of either enrolling in Steinhardt School, Tisch School of the Arts, or the Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Its prime location in New York will be a pivotal hub for artists to access hundreds of world-class museums and galleries like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Guggenheim Museum, and the Frick Collection.

7. Parsons School of Design 

Parsons School of Design offers exceptional facilities, including the expansive 35,000-square-foot Making Center, which provides students with advanced tools for woodworking, digital fabrication, textiles, and metalworking. 

The school’s strong academic reputation is further showcased by its impressive list of alumni, including renowned names like Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Ai Weiwei, and Alexander Wang.

8. Carnegie Mellon University School of Art

Situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon focuses on an innovative approach to combining traditional arts with cutting-edge technology. The school encourages students to dwell in a comprehensive curriculum that combines traditional practices in visual arts with advanced technology. The school offers rigorous coursework through collaborative efforts with CMU’s School of Computer Science, Robotics Institute as well as the Entertainment Technology Center.

Editor’s Choice: 10 Most Educated States in U.S., Where Does Your State Rank?

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