15 Best Art Schools in the U.S. for 2025

Choosing the right art school is a pivotal decision for aspiring artists, as it shapes their creative journey and future career.

With so many prestigious institutions across the United States, selecting the best art school can be both exciting and overwhelming. 

Whether you’re into fine arts, digital design, animation, or photography, choosing a school with the right programs and resources is key to growing your talent.

In this guide, we’ll highlight the top art schools in the US, showcasing their unique strengths and programs to help you make an informed decision for your creative education.

Here are some of the best art schools in the US ranked, known for their exceptional programs, distinguished faculty, and successful alumni.

Art School	Location	Notable Programs	Tuition Fees (approx.)
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)	Providence, Rhode Island	Fine Arts, Industrial Design, Illustration	~$52,000/year
School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)	Chicago, Illinois	Painting, Animation, Fashion Design	~$50,000/year
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)	Valencia, California	Animation, Film, Fine Arts	~$50,000/year
Pratt Institute	Brooklyn, New York	Architecture, Industrial Design, Graphic Design	~$52,000/year
UCLA – School of the Arts and Architecture	Los Angeles, California	Film, Dance, Visual Arts	~$43,000/year (out-of-state)
Yale School of Art	New Haven, Connecticut	Fine Arts, Photography, Painting/Printmaking	~$45,000/year
The Cooper Union	New York City, New York	Architecture, Fine Arts	~$45,000/year
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)	Savannah, Georgia	Animation, Fashion Design, Graphic Design	~$39,000/year
NYU – Tisch School of the Arts	New York City, New York	Film, Performing Arts, Photography	~$60,000/year
Carnegie Mellon – College of Fine Arts	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	Drama, Design, Architecture, Fine Arts	~$61,000/year
Parsons School of Design	New York City, New York	Fashion Design, Product Design, Interior Design	~$51,000/year
Otis College of Art and Design	Los Angeles, California	Digital Media, Fashion Design, Fine Arts	~$49,000/year
ArtCenter College of Design	Pasadena, California	Industrial Design, Film, Illustration	~$48,000/year

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)

RISD is one of the oldest and most prestigious art schools in the US, located in Providence, Rhode Island. Known for its rigorous academic programs and renowned faculty, it offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in various art disciplines. This is globally considered one of the best art schools in the U.S. for painting and design.

Category	Details
Reputation	One of the top-ranked art schools globally
Famous Alumni	Shepard Fairey, Kara Walker, David Byrne
Notable Programs	Fine Arts, Industrial Design, Graphic Design, Illustration
Tuition Fees	~$52,000 per year

School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)

SAIC is famous for its interdisciplinary approach, blending fine arts with design and technology. Located in Chicago, it has a diverse and dynamic campus that offers unique creative programs.

Category	Details
Reputation	Known for innovative and interdisciplinary education
Famous Alumni	Georgia O'Keeffe, Jeff Koons, Grant Wood
Notable Programs	Painting, Drawing, Animation, Fashion Design
Tuition Fees	~$50,000 per year

California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)

Founded by Walt Disney, CalArts is renowned for its avant-garde approach and strong focus on animation and visual arts. It is located in Valencia, California, and has produced many successful alumni in the entertainment industry. It is considered one of the best art schools in the U.S. for animation.

Category	Details
Reputation	A hub for creativity, especially animation and design
Famous Alumni	Tim Burton, John Lasseter, Edie Falco
Notable Programs	Animation, Film, Music, Theatre, Fine Arts
Tuition Fees	~$50,000 per year

Pratt Institute

Located in Brooklyn, New York, Pratt is a renowned art and design school offering both undergraduate and graduate programs. Its reputation is particularly strong in architecture, design, and visual arts.

Category	Details
Reputation	Leading art and design school with a strong architecture focus
Famous Alumni	Robert Redford, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Ron Perlman
Notable Programs	Architecture, Industrial Design, Fine Arts, Graphic Design
Tuition Fees	~$52,000 per year

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) – School of the Arts and Architecture

UCLA offers a blend of traditional art programs and cutting-edge creative disciplines. As part of one of the top public universities in the US, it is known for its research and industry connections, especially in the entertainment sector.

Category	Details
Reputation	Part of a leading public university, strong research-oriented programs
Famous Alumni	James Franco, Francis Ford Coppola, Lorna Simpson
Notable Programs	Film, Television, Theater, Dance, Visual Arts
Tuition Fees	~$43,000 (out-of-state) per year

Yale School of Art

Yale's School of Art is known for its selective admissions and world-class faculty. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, it offers a graduate-level fine arts education with a strong emphasis on contemporary art practices.

Offering an elite MFA in Photography, this is ranked by some as the best art schools in the U.S. for photography.

Category	Details
Reputation	Highly selective, world-renowned for contemporary art education
Famous Alumni	Chuck Close, Richard Serra, Eva Hesse
Notable Programs	Fine Arts, Photography, Painting/Printmaking, Graphic Design
Tuition Fees	~$45,000 per year

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

The Cooper Union, located in the heart of New York City, is one of the most selective art and architecture schools in the U.S. Though full scholarships have been reduced, the school still provides substantial financial aid. 

Category	Details
Reputation	Known for prestigious design and architecture programs
Famous Alumni	Daniel Libeskind, Shepard Fairey, Bob Dylan
Notable Programs	Architecture, Fine Arts, Engineering
Tuition Fees	~$45,000 per year

Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)

SCAD is globally recognized for blending creative excellence with career preparation. With campuses in Savannah, Atlanta, and a strong online presence, SCAD offers one of the widest selections of art and design programs. 

Its programs are highly industry-focused, providing students with real-world experiences through collaborations with major companies in fashion, animation, and film.

Category	Details
Reputation	Globally recognized for its creative and professional programs
Famous Alumni	Simone Biles, Guy Harvey, Hayden Panettiere
Notable Programs	Animation, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Architecture
Tuition Fees	~$39,000 per year

New York University (NYU) – Tisch School of the Arts

Tisch School of the Arts at NYU is a world-renowned institution for film, theater, and performing arts. Located in New York City, Tisch offers unparalleled networking opportunities in the entertainment industry. 

The school fosters creative talent through hands-on training, industry internships, and access to Broadway, film studios, and off-Broadway theaters.

Category	Details
Reputation	Leading institution for performing and cinematic arts
Famous Alumni	Lady Gaga, Martin Scorsese, Alec Baldwin
Notable Programs	Film, Performing Arts, Photography
Tuition Fees	~$60,000 per year

Carnegie Mellon University – College of Fine Arts

Carnegie Mellon University is known for integrating arts and technology, creating a cutting-edge educational environment. Its College of Fine Arts fosters creativity through innovative programs in drama, design, architecture, and fine arts. 

Located in Pittsburgh, CMU is a leader in interdisciplinary learning, combining engineering, technology, and the arts.

Category	Details
Reputation	Known for innovation in art and technology
Famous Alumni	Andy Warhol, Billy Porter, Holly Hunter
Notable Programs	Drama, Design, Architecture, Fine Arts
Tuition Fees	~$61,000 per year

Parsons School of Design – The New School

Parsons, located in New York City, is a global leader in fashion and design education. The school is known for its forward-thinking approach, industry partnerships, and commitment to social responsibility. 

Students have access to NYC’s vibrant art and design community, and Parsons frequently collaborates with top fashion and design brands, offering students real-world experience.

Category	Details
Reputation	Leader in fashion and industrial design
Famous Alumni	Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan
Notable Programs	Fashion Design, Product Design, Interior Design
Tuition Fees	~$51,000 per year

Otis College of Art and Design

Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles is known for its industry-driven programs, especially in digital media, fashion, and fine arts. The school emphasizes hands-on learning and strong connections with industry leaders, providing students with opportunities to work with top companies in fashion, entertainment, and design.

Category	Details
Reputation	Strong focus on industry-driven programs
Famous Alumni	Rick Owens, Geoff McFetridge
Notable Programs	Digital Media, Fashion Design, Fine Arts
Tuition Fees	~$49,000 per year

ArtCenter College of Design

ArtCenter College of Design, located in Pasadena, California, is globally renowned for its programs in industrial, automotive, and entertainment design. ArtCenter graduates are often leaders in design industries, from concept cars to movie production.

Specializing in entertainment and concept art illustration, this is thought to be one of the best art schools in the U.S. for illustration.

Category	Details
Reputation	Industry leader in design innovation
Famous Alumni	Michael Bay, Syd Mead, Zack Snyder
Notable Programs	Industrial Design, Film, Illustration
Tuition Fees	~$48,000 per year

Choosing the right art school is a crucial step in shaping your creative future. The best art schools in the US offer diverse programs, renowned faculty, and opportunities to connect with industry leaders. 

By considering factors like program variety, tuition costs, and alumni success, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your creative vision. 

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