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Painting

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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 Illustration, Systems Science and Theory, Film/Video and Photographic Arts, and Other. In fact, Rhode Island School of Design awards 119 degrees every year to Illustration majors....view more Acceptance Rate 23% Annual Degrees Awarded 42 SAT Score 1,400–1,530 Median Starting Salary $36,900
#2 #2 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Pratt Institute-Main Brooklyn, NY Every year, Pratt Institute-Main grants about 222 degrees to students majoring in Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, which is the school’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 86% Annual Degrees Awarded 65 SAT Score 1,160–1,400 Median Starting Salary $39,000
#3 #3 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Kansas City Art Institute Kansas City, MO Annually, Kansas City Art Institute awards around 40 degrees to those studying Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Illustration, Painting, and Graphic Design....view more Acceptance Rate 55% Annual Degrees Awarded 26 SAT Score 1,040–1,280 Median Starting Salary $34,300
#4 #4 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Maryland Institute College of Art Baltimore, MD Every year, Maryland Institute College of Art grants around 91 degrees to those studying Illustration, which is the school’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 77% Annual Degrees Awarded 20 SAT Score 1,120–1,350 Median Starting Salary $30,700
#5 #5 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Maine College of Art & Design Portland, ME Each year, Maine College of Art & Design grants around 19 degrees to those studying Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, the school’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Illustration, Painting, and Sculpture....view more Acceptance Rate 76% Annual Degrees Awarded 14 SAT Score 870–1,190 Median Starting Salary $31,500
#6 #6 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 13 degrees to students studying Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other, the school’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Painting, Graphic Design, and Printmaking....view more Acceptance Rate 83% Annual Degrees Awarded 11 SAT Score 890–1,090 Median Starting Salary $20,400
#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 83% Annual Degrees Awarded 58 SAT Score 1,060–1,290 Median Starting Salary $37,300
#8 #8 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, Dance, General, Communication, and General. In fact, SUNY at Purchase College awards 59 degrees per year to graduating Psychology, General students....view more Acceptance Rate 74% Annual Degrees Awarded 23 SAT Score 1,210–1,380 Median Starting Salary $37,500
#9 #9 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA Every year, Virginia Commonwealth University grants about 510 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 91% Annual Degrees Awarded 27 SAT Score 1,020–1,280 Median Starting Salary $39,200
#10 #10 Best College for Painting in the U.S. University of Houston Houston, TX Each year, the University of Houston awards about 783 degrees to those studying Psychology, General, the institution’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Computer and Information Sciences, General, Finance, General, Management Information Systems, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 76% Annual Degrees Awarded 22 SAT Score 1,160–1,340 Median Starting Salary $41,600
#11 #11 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Temple University Philadelphia, PA Each year, Temple University grants around 345 degrees to students majoring in Psychology, General, the school’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Finance, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 86% Annual Degrees Awarded 20 SAT Score 1,030–1,240 Median Starting Salary $38,300
#12 #12 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Montserrat College of Art Beverly, MA Each year, Montserrat College of Art grants around 17 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, Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 67% Annual Degrees Awarded 5 SAT Score 810–1,230 Median Starting Salary $34,500
#13 #13 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, Psychology, and General. In fact, Boston University grants 812 degrees per year to graduating Business Administration and Management, General students....view more Acceptance Rate 13% Annual Degrees Awarded 10 SAT Score 1,430–1,530 Median Starting Salary $45,200
#14 #14 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MO At Washington University in St Louis, the most popular majors students study are Computer Science, Experimental Psychology, and Econometrics and Quantitative Economics. In fact, Washington University in St Louis grants 160 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 $46,200
#15 #15 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 52 degrees to students studying Illustration, the school’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 48% Annual Degrees Awarded 9 SAT Score 1,090–1,340 Median Starting Salary $29,300
#16 #16 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 83% Annual Degrees Awarded 13 SAT Score 990–1,180 Median Starting Salary $37,100
#17 #17 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 173 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 63% Annual Degrees Awarded 14 SAT Score 1,180–1,340 Median Starting Salary $39,200
#18 #18 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 Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology....view more Acceptance Rate 91% Annual Degrees Awarded 9 SAT Score 940–1,220 Median Starting Salary $42,000
#19 #19 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, Marketing/Marketing Management, and General. In fact, Texas Christian University grants 302 degrees per year to graduating Finance, General students....view more Acceptance Rate 48% Annual Degrees Awarded 6 SAT Score 1,170–1,370 Median Starting Salary $45,600
#20 #20 Best College for Painting in the U.S. University of Miami Coral Gables, FL At the University of Miami, the most popular majors students pursue are Finance, General, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Psychology, and General. In fact, the University of Miami grants 372 degrees every year to graduating Finance, General students....view more Acceptance Rate 18% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,340–1,480 Median Starting Salary $37,500
#21 #21 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Cleveland Institute of Art Cleveland, OH Each year, Cleveland Institute of Art awards about 33 degrees to those studying Illustration, the school’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, Game and Interactive Media Design, and Graphic Design....view more Acceptance Rate 61% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 1,050–1,310 Median Starting Salary $29,900
#22 #22 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Art Academy of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH Every year, the Art Academy of Cincinnati awards about 21 degrees to those majoring in Illustration, the institution’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Design and Visual Communications, General, Photography, and Painting....view more Acceptance Rate 32% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 740–1,170 Median Starting Salary $28,800
#23 #23 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Drake University Des Moines, IA Annually, Drake University awards around 41 degrees to students majoring in Psychology, General, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 65% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,110–1,350 Median Starting Salary $43,000
#24 #24 Best College for Painting in the U.S. University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA Annually, the University of Puget Sound awards around 43 degrees to those majoring in Business Administration and Management, General, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Biological and Physical Sciences, Psychology, General, and Sociology and Anthropology....view more Acceptance Rate 72% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,200–1,390 Median Starting Salary $39,400
#25 #25 Best College for Painting in the U.S. College of the Ozarks Point Lookout, MO Every year, the College of the Ozarks awards around 19 degrees to those majoring in Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, the school’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 11% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 1,050–1,220 Median Starting Salary $37,800
#26 #26 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....view more Acceptance Rate 96% Annual Degrees Awarded 6 SAT Score 1,130–1,320 Median Starting Salary $42,500
#27 #27 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Mississippi Christian University Clinton, MS At Mississippi Christian University, the most popular majors students study are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Psychology, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 84% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 1,010–1,210 Median Starting Salary $34,100
#28 #28 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, Fine/Studio Arts, and General. In fact, Pacific Northwest College of Art grants 27 degrees annually to Illustration majors....view more Acceptance Rate 72% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $40,900
#29 #29 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Columbia College Columbia, MO Every year, Columbia College awards around 188 degrees to students majoring in General Studies, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Business/Commerce, General, Psychology, General, and Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration....view more Acceptance Rate 89% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 930–1,120 Median Starting Salary $40,600
#30 #30 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Arcadia University Glenside, PA Every year, Arcadia University grants around 51 degrees to those studying Biology/Biological Sciences, General, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 74% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 1,070–1,270 Median Starting Salary $35,000
#31 #31 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, Psychology, General, Marketing/Marketing Management, and General. In fact, Saint Ambrose University grants 78 degrees annually to Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse majors....view more Acceptance Rate 80% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 980–1,190 Median Starting Salary $40,000
#32 #32 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Lewis University Romeoville, IL Every year, Lewis University awards around 123 degrees to students studying Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, the school’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Aviation/Airway Management and Operations, Computer Science, Business Administration and Management, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 69% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 980–1,220 Median Starting Salary $37,400
#33 #33 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, Political Science and Government, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 73% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 1,120–1,360 Median Starting Salary $37,700
#34 #34 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, Music Teacher Education, and Elementary Education and Teaching. In fact, SUNY at Fredonia grants 53 degrees annually to graduating Psychology, General students....view more Acceptance Rate 78% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 1,160–1,360 Median Starting Salary $38,900
#35 #35 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Salem State University Salem, MA Every year, Salem State University grants around 126 degrees to students majoring in Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 96% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 990–1,160 Median Starting Salary $46,200
#36 #36 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Franklin College Franklin, IN Annually, Franklin College awards around 26 degrees to students studying Kinesiology and Exercise Science, the school’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Psychology, General, Biomedical Sciences, General, Chemistry, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 73% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,060–1,240 Median Starting Salary $35,700
#37 #37 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Daemen University Amherst, NY At Daemen University, the most popular majors students study are Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. In fact, Daemen University grants 105 degrees every year to graduating Natural Sciences students....view more Acceptance Rate 74% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 950–1,150 Median Starting Salary $44,700
#38 #38 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI Each year, Ferris State University grants around 147 degrees to those majoring in Business Administration and Management, General, the institution’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Criminal Justice/Police Science, General Studies, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse....view more Acceptance Rate 82% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 900–1,130 Median Starting Salary $35,600
#39 #39 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, Psychology, General, Business Administration and Management, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 89% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,070–1,280 Median Starting Salary $29,900
#40 #40 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Carson-Newman University Jefferson City, TN Every year, Carson-Newman University grants around 39 degrees to those majoring in Business Administration and Management, General, the institution’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Psychology, General, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse....view more Acceptance Rate 64% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,010–1,210 Median Starting Salary $40,300
#41 #41 Best College for Painting in the U.S. University of Southern Maine Portland, ME Every year, the University of Southern Maine awards around 123 degrees to those majoring in Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 82% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 1,030–1,260 Median Starting Salary $40,000
#42 #42 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Rhode Island College Providence, RI Each year, Rhode Island College awards around 135 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 86% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 870–1,120 Median Starting Salary $38,300
#43 #43 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 Criminal Justice/Safety Studies....view more Acceptance Rate 42% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $23,500
#44 #44 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, Elementary Education and Teaching, and General Studies....view more Acceptance Rate 84% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 980–1,240 Median Starting Salary $41,400
#45 #45 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Philadelphia, PA At Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, only three majors are offered: Painting, Illustration, and Printmaking....view more Acceptance Rate 91% Annual Degrees Awarded 16 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $28,900
#46 #46 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Dine College Tsaile, AZ Each year, Dine College awards about 22 degrees to students majoring in Psychology, General, the school’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Public Health, General, Biomedical Sciences, General, Business Administration and Management, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 100% Annual Degrees Awarded 5 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $40,100
*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 Postbaccalaureate certificate. Right now, 635 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.

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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.

Most In-Demand Careers

These are the careers in highest demand for Painting majors.

Student Demographics

Total Students

481

Female Students

397 (82%)

Male Students

84 (17%)

Resources for:

Articles

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Painting

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

23%

42

1,400–1,530

$36,900

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

86%

65

1,160–1,400

$39,000

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

55%

26

1,040–1,280

$34,300

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

77%

20

1,120–1,350

$30,700

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

76%

14

870–1,190

$31,500

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

83%

11

890–1,090

$20,400

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

83%

58

1,060–1,290

$37,300

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

74%

23

1,210–1,380

$37,500

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

91%

27

1,020–1,280

$39,200

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

76%

22

1,160–1,340

$41,600

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

86%

20

1,030–1,240

$38,300

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

67%

5

810–1,230

$34,500

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

13%

10

1,430–1,530

$45,200

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

12%

4

1,480–1,560

$46,200

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

48%

9

1,090–1,340

$29,300

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

83%

13

990–1,180