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#1

#1 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Rhode Island School of Design
Providence, RI

At Rhode Island School of Design, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Systems Science and Theory, Illustration, and Computer Graphics. In fact, Rhode Island School of Design awards 92 degrees every year to Systems Science and Theory majors....view more

Acceptance Rate

19%

Annual Degrees Awarded

56

SAT Score

1,400–1,530

Median Starting Salary

$55,718

#2

#2 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Kansas City Art Institute
Kansas City, MO

Annually, Kansas City Art Institute awards around 31 degrees to those studying Illustration, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, Painting, and Graphic Design....view more

Acceptance Rate

55%

Annual Degrees Awarded

21

SAT Score

890–1,230

Median Starting Salary

$54,644

#3

#3 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Pratt Institute-Main
Brooklyn, NY

Every year, Pratt Institute-Main grants about 129 degrees to students majoring in Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology, which is the school’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Graphic Design, Industrial and Product Design, and Illustration....view more

Acceptance Rate

73%

Annual Degrees Awarded

42

SAT Score

1,150–1,400

Median Starting Salary

$54,861

#4

#4 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Massachusetts College of Art and Design
Boston, MA

At Massachusetts College of Art and Design, the three most popular college majors students study are Illustration, Cinematography and Film/Video Production, and Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia....view more

Acceptance Rate

76%

Annual Degrees Awarded

24

SAT Score

990–1,180

Median Starting Salary

$57,230

#5

#5 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Escuela de Artes Plasticas y Diseno de Puerto Rico
San Juan, PR

Every year, Escuela de Artes Plasticas y Diseno de Puerto Rico awards about 21 degrees to students studying Painting, the school’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Fashion/Apparel Design, Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other, and Graphic Design....view more

Acceptance Rate

100%

Annual Degrees Awarded

21

SAT Score

950–1,100

Median Starting Salary

$49,428

#6

#6 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Maryland Institute College of Art
Baltimore, MD

Every year, Maryland Institute College of Art grants around 90 degrees to those studying Illustration, which is the school’s most popular major....view more

Acceptance Rate

77%

Annual Degrees Awarded

20

SAT Score

1,060–1,350

Median Starting Salary

$56,250

#7

#7 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Savannah College of Art and Design
Savannah, GA

At Savannah College of Art and Design, the most popular majors students pursue are Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, Illustration, and Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia....view more

Acceptance Rate

84%

Annual Degrees Awarded

47

SAT Score

1,080–1,280

Median Starting Salary

$53,969

#8

#8 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Cleveland Institute of Art
Cleveland, OH

Each year, Cleveland Institute of Art awards about 29 degrees to those studying Illustration, the school’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, Painting, and Industrial and Product Design....view more

Acceptance Rate

56%

Annual Degrees Awarded

12

SAT Score

1,090–1,280

Median Starting Salary

$53,445

#9

#9 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Minneapolis, MN

Each year, Minneapolis College of Art and Design grants about 45 degrees to students studying Illustration, the school’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, Painting, and Graphic Design....view more

Acceptance Rate

48%

Annual Degrees Awarded

12

SAT Score

1,170–1,380

Median Starting Salary

$52,887

#10

#10 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

SUNY at Purchase College
Purchase, NY

At SUNY at Purchase College, the three most popular college majors students study are Psychology, General, Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General, and Fine and Studio Arts Management. In fact, SUNY at Purchase College awards 59 degrees per year to graduating Psychology, General students....view more

Acceptance Rate

74%

Annual Degrees Awarded

25

SAT Score

1,210–1,380

Median Starting Salary

$52,298

#11

#11 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Every year, Virginia Commonwealth University grants about 458 degrees to those studying Psychology, General, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Health Teacher Education, Business/Commerce, and General....view more

Acceptance Rate

92%

Annual Degrees Awarded

33

SAT Score

1,040–1,310

Median Starting Salary

$51,475

#12

#12 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Boston University
Boston, MA

At Boston University, the most popular majors students pursue are Business Administration and Management, General, Computer Science, Economics, and General. In fact, Boston University grants 672 degrees per year to graduating Business Administration and Management, General students....view more

Acceptance Rate

11%

Annual Degrees Awarded

18

SAT Score

1,430–1,530

Median Starting Salary

$52,307

#13

#13 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Each year, Temple University grants around 355 degrees to students majoring in Psychology, General, the school’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Marketing/Marketing Management, General, Finance, and General....view more

Acceptance Rate

80%

Annual Degrees Awarded

25

SAT Score

1,130–1,370

Median Starting Salary

$54,028

#14

#14 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Maine College of Art & Design
Portland, ME

Each year, Maine College of Art & Design grants around 21 degrees to those studying Illustration, the school’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, Painting, and Graphic Design....view more

Acceptance Rate

78%

Annual Degrees Awarded

9

SAT Score

870–1,190

Median Starting Salary

$55,105

#15

#15 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

University of Houston
Houston, TX

Each year, the University of Houston awards about 693 degrees to those studying Psychology, General, the institution’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Finance, General, Computer and Information Sciences, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, and General....view more

Acceptance Rate

74%

Annual Degrees Awarded

22

SAT Score

1,160–1,340

Median Starting Salary

$46,980

#16

#16 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Montserrat College of Art
Beverly, MA

Each year, Montserrat College of Art grants around 21 degrees to students majoring in Illustration, the school’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, Graphic Design, and Painting....view more

Acceptance Rate

79%

Annual Degrees Awarded

6

SAT Score

850–850

Median Starting Salary

$54,325

#17

#17 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Art Academy of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH

Every year, the Art Academy of Cincinnati awards about 11 degrees to those majoring in Design and Visual Communications, General, the institution’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Illustration, Photography, and Painting....view more

Acceptance Rate

33%

Annual Degrees Awarded

4

SAT Score

740–1,170

Median Starting Salary

$53,636

#18

#18 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

At Washington University in St Louis, the most popular majors students study are Computer Science, Experimental Psychology, and Mechanical Engineering. In fact, Washington University in St Louis grants 159 degrees annually to graduating Computer Science students....view more

Acceptance Rate

12%

Annual Degrees Awarded

4

SAT Score

1,480–1,560

Median Starting Salary

$52,175

#19

#19 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

California College of the Arts
San Francisco, CA

At California College of the Arts, the most popular majors students study are Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, Illustration, and Industrial and Product Design....view more

Acceptance Rate

91%

Annual Degrees Awarded

12

SAT Score

940–1,220

Median Starting Salary

$51,893

#20

#20 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX

At Texas Christian University, the three most popular college majors students study are Finance, General, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Public Relations, Advertising, and and Applied Communication....view more

Acceptance Rate

44%

Annual Degrees Awarded

4

SAT Score

1,190–1,380

Median Starting Salary

$53,217

#21

#21 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

State University of New York at New Paltz
New Paltz, NY

Annually, State University of New York at New Paltz awards about 172 degrees to those studying Psychology, General, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Elementary Education and Teaching, Sociology, and Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia....view more

Acceptance Rate

62%

Annual Degrees Awarded

9

SAT Score

1,180–1,340

Median Starting Salary

$50,610

#22

#22 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Research and Experimental Psychology, Other, Computer Engineering, General, and Accounting....view more

Acceptance Rate

42%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

1,380–1,530

Median Starting Salary

$49,926

#23

#23 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Annually, Drake University awards around 42 degrees to students majoring in Marketing/Marketing Management, General, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more

Acceptance Rate

64%

Annual Degrees Awarded

5

SAT Score

1,110–1,350

Median Starting Salary

$55,998

#24

#24 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, WA

Annually, the University of Puget Sound awards around 60 degrees to those majoring in Business Administration and Management, General, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more

Acceptance Rate

72%

Annual Degrees Awarded

2

SAT Score

1,200–1,390

Median Starting Salary

$58,530

#25

#25 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Each year, Bradley University grants around 83 degrees to those majoring in Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, the school’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Psychology, General, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and General....view more

Acceptance Rate

77%

Annual Degrees Awarded

2

SAT Score

1,060–1,290

Median Starting Salary

$54,357

#26

#26 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

University of Dallas
Irving, TX

At the University of Dallas, the most popular majors students study are Business Administration and Management, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, English Language and Literature, and General....view more

Acceptance Rate

53%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

1,120–1,360

Median Starting Salary

$54,555

#27

#27 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

University of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

Annually, the University of Hartford awards around 61 degrees to students studying Psychology, General, the institution’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General, and Mechanical Engineering....view more

Acceptance Rate

96%

Annual Degrees Awarded

6

SAT Score

1,130–1,320

Median Starting Salary

$54,385

#28

#28 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Arcadia University
Glenside, PA

Every year, Arcadia University grants around 66 degrees to those studying Biology/Biological Sciences, General, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Psychology, General, Public Health, General, and Actuarial Science....view more

Acceptance Rate

80%

Annual Degrees Awarded

3

SAT Score

1,090–1,280

Median Starting Salary

$54,144

#29

#29 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

College of the Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO

Every year, the College of the Ozarks awards around 22 degrees to those majoring in Psychology, General, the school’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Business Administration and Management, General, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Animal Sciences, and General....view more

Acceptance Rate

12%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

1,050–1,220

Median Starting Salary

$49,849

#30

#30 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, IA

At Saint Ambrose University, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Psychology, and General. In fact, Saint Ambrose University grants 77 degrees annually to Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse majors....view more

Acceptance Rate

77%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

980–1,190

Median Starting Salary

$55,551

#31

#31 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

SUNY at Fredonia
Fredonia, NY

At SUNY at Fredonia, the most popular majors students study are Psychology, General, Business Administration and Management, General, and Elementary Education and Teaching. In fact, SUNY at Fredonia grants 67 degrees annually to graduating Psychology, General students....view more

Acceptance Rate

79%

Annual Degrees Awarded

4

SAT Score

1,080–1,310

Median Starting Salary

$54,693

#32

#32 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Carson-Newman University
Jefferson City, TN

Every year, Carson-Newman University grants around 50 degrees to those majoring in Business Administration and Management, General, the institution’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Psychology, General, and Kinesiology and Exercise Science....view more

Acceptance Rate

90%

Annual Degrees Awarded

5

SAT Score

1,010–1,210

Median Starting Salary

$52,037

#33

#33 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Salem State University
Salem, MA

Every year, Salem State University grants around 163 degrees to students majoring in Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, the institution’s most popular major....view more

Acceptance Rate

96%

Annual Degrees Awarded

3

SAT Score

1,020–1,180

Median Starting Salary

$52,160

#34

#34 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Each year, Oakland University awards around 479 degrees to those studying Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, which is the school’s most popular major....view more

Acceptance Rate

88%

Annual Degrees Awarded

5

SAT Score

920–1,180

Median Starting Salary

$50,511

#35

#35 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Aquinas College
Grand Rapids, MI

Annually, Aquinas College awards about 45 degrees to those majoring in Business Administration and Management, General, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more

Acceptance Rate

90%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

920–1,150

Median Starting Salary

$54,532

#36

#36 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

At the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, the most popular majors students pursue are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Other, Criminology, Psychology, and General....view more

Acceptance Rate

91%

Annual Degrees Awarded

3

SAT Score

1,070–1,280

Median Starting Salary

$50,555

#37

#37 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Each year, Ferris State University grants around 150 degrees to those majoring in Business Administration and Management, General, the institution’s most popular major....view more

Acceptance Rate

92%

Annual Degrees Awarded

2

SAT Score

900–1,130

Median Starting Salary

$50,925

#38

#38 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

Each year, Rhode Island College awards around 121 degrees to those studying Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Psychology, General, Social Work, Business Administration and Management, and General....view more

Acceptance Rate

92%

Annual Degrees Awarded

5

SAT Score

870–1,120

Median Starting Salary

$51,677

#39

#39 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

University of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

Every year, the University of Southern Maine awards around 168 degrees to those majoring in Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more

Acceptance Rate

79%

Annual Degrees Awarded

3

SAT Score

1,010–1,250

Median Starting Salary

$49,569

#40

#40 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

SUNY Buffalo State University
Buffalo, NY

At SUNY Buffalo State University, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Business Administration and Management, General, Criminal Justice/Safety Studies, and Elementary Education and Teaching....view more

Acceptance Rate

74%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

990–1,250

Median Starting Salary

$51,343

#41

#41 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Pacific Northwest College of Art
Portland, OR

At Pacific Northwest College of Art, the most popular majors students pursue are Illustration, Digital Arts, and Graphic Design. In fact, Pacific Northwest College of Art grants 33 degrees annually to Illustration majors....view more

Acceptance Rate

75%

Annual Degrees Awarded

2

SAT Score

--

Median Starting Salary

$53,618

#42

#42 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Inter American University of Puerto Rico-San German
San German, PR

At Inter American University of Puerto Rico-San German, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, and Sport and Fitness Administration/Management....view more

Acceptance Rate

51%

Annual Degrees Awarded

3

SAT Score

--

Median Starting Salary

$46,813

#43

#43 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Philadelphia, PA

At Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the most popular majors students pursue are Painting, Illustration, and Sculpture. In fact, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts awards 11 degrees every year to Painting majors....view more

Acceptance Rate

86%

Annual Degrees Awarded

11

SAT Score

--

Median Starting Salary

$53,403

#44

#44 Best College for Painting in the U.S.

Dine College
Tsaile, AZ

Each year, Dine College awards about 14 degrees to students majoring in Public Health, General, the school’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Bilingual and Multilingual Education, Psychology, General, Business Administration and Management, and General....view more

Acceptance Rate

60%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

--

Median Starting Salary

$51,847

*The estimated net prices above are College Raptor’s estimate. Please contact the college financial aid office for actual net cost figures.

About Painting

Painting programs prepare individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by the application of paints and related chemical color substances to canvases or other materials. Includes instruction in color and color mixing, surface preparation, composition, oil and acrylic media, watercolor media, painting techniques, and personal style development.

Those who are interested in Painting can study up to a Bachelors degree. Right now, 633 students earn a some level of degree in Painting around the country each year. More students graduate with a degree in Painting in New York than any other state. The average starting salary for an undergraduate degree in Painting is $37,200.

Popularity of Painting Degrees in the U.S.
This heat map represents the states that have the highest percent of Painting degrees compared to all other degrees awarded in that state.
Less Popular
More Popular

Careers

The highest paying career for Painting majors is Special Effects Artists and Animators. But, another thing to consider is how many job openings there currently is. A job that is in high need that a degree in Painting can prepare you for is Special Effects Artists and Animators.

Top Paying Careers

These are the highest paying careers for Painting majors.

Student Demographics

Total Students
497
Female Students
390 (78%)
Male Students
107 (21%)

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