Need a student loan? Easily find and compare lenders.

NEW 2025 Best Colleges Rankings!

NEW 2025 Hidden Gem Colleges!

Search for a different college major

Painting

Select Type of Degree:

Select State:


#1 #1 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Kansas City Art Institute Kansas City, MO Annually, Kansas City Art Institute awards around 27 degrees to those studying Illustration, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Painting, Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, Fiber, and Textile and Weaving Arts....view more Acceptance Rate 60% Annual Degrees Awarded 22 SAT Score 1,040–1,280 Est. Net Price * $30,142 Median Starting Salary $54,644
#2 #2 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Maryland Institute College of Art Baltimore, MD Every year, Maryland Institute College of Art grants around 93 degrees to those studying Illustration, which is the school’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 78% Annual Degrees Awarded 26 SAT Score 1,050–1,280 Est. Net Price * $43,066 Median Starting Salary $56,250
#3 #3 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, and Computer Graphics. In fact, Rhode Island School of Design awards 89 degrees every year to Illustration majors....view more Acceptance Rate 14% Annual Degrees Awarded 37 SAT Score 1,370–1,530 Est. Net Price * $42,106 Median Starting Salary $55,718
#4 #4 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 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 13 SAT Score 950–1,100 Est. Net Price * $5,047 Median Starting Salary $49,428
#5 #5 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 678 degrees per year to graduating Business Administration and Management, General students....view more Acceptance Rate 11% Annual Degrees Awarded 12 SAT Score 1,410–1,520 Est. Net Price * $27,551 Median Starting Salary $52,307
#6 #6 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 37 SAT Score 1,070–1,300 Est. Net Price * $46,524 Median Starting Salary $53,969
#7 #7 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Montserrat College of Art Beverly, MA Each year, Montserrat College of Art grants around 25 degrees to students majoring in Illustration, the school’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other, Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General, Animation, Interactive Technology, and Video......view more Acceptance Rate -- Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 810–1,230 Est. Net Price * $35,885 Median Starting Salary $54,325
#8 #8 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Temple University Philadelphia, PA Each year, Temple University grants around 334 degrees to students majoring in Psychology, General, the school’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Finance, General, Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 83% Annual Degrees Awarded 27 SAT Score 1,030–1,240 Est. Net Price * $29,641 Median Starting Salary $54,028
#9 #9 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Cleveland Institute of Art Cleveland, OH Each year, Cleveland Institute of Art awards about 31 degrees to those studying Illustration, the school’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, Industrial and Product Design, and Photography....view more Acceptance Rate 56% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 1,090–1,280 Est. Net Price * $33,527 Median Starting Salary $53,445
#10 #10 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Brigham Young University-Hawaii Laie, HI Each year, Brigham Young University-Hawaii awards around 106 degrees to students majoring in Business Administration and Management, General, which is the school’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 38% Annual Degrees Awarded 6 SAT Score 1,060–1,210 Est. Net Price * $17,887 Median Starting Salary $50,270
#11 #11 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 54% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,190–1,390 Est. Net Price * $31,221 Median Starting Salary $54,555
#12 #12 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, Marketing/Marketing Management, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 92% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,050–1,270 Est. Net Price * $20,696 Median Starting Salary $50,555
#13 #13 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, Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, and Cinematography and Film/Video Production....view more Acceptance Rate 77% Annual Degrees Awarded 27 SAT Score 990–1,180 Est. Net Price * $24,159 Median Starting Salary $57,230
#14 #14 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Pratt Institute-Main Brooklyn, NY Every year, Pratt Institute-Main grants about 123 degrees to students majoring in Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology, which is the school’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 53% Annual Degrees Awarded 28 SAT Score 1,230–1,430 Est. Net Price * $51,702 Median Starting Salary $54,861
#15 #15 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, Sculpture, and Illustration. In fact, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts awards 12 degrees every year to Painting majors....view more Acceptance Rate 88% Annual Degrees Awarded 12 SAT Score -- Est. Net Price * $45,518 Median Starting Salary $53,403
#16 #16 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, Communication, General, Dance, and General. In fact, SUNY at Purchase College awards 66 degrees per year to graduating Psychology, General students....view more Acceptance Rate 73% Annual Degrees Awarded 34 SAT Score 1,200–1,380 Est. Net Price * $18,651 Median Starting Salary $52,298
#17 #17 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 Painting. In fact, Pacific Northwest College of Art grants 23 degrees annually to Illustration majors....view more Acceptance Rate 69% Annual Degrees Awarded 13 SAT Score -- Est. Net Price * $42,195 Median Starting Salary $53,618
#18 #18 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA Every year, Virginia Commonwealth University grants about 502 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 93% Annual Degrees Awarded 32 SAT Score 1,040–1,280 Est. Net Price * $22,852 Median Starting Salary $51,475
#19 #19 Best College for Painting in the U.S. University of Houston Houston, TX Each year, the University of Houston awards about 605 degrees to those studying Psychology, General, the institution’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Finance, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, and Kinesiology and Exercise Science....view more Acceptance Rate 70% Annual Degrees Awarded 21 SAT Score 1,150–1,330 Est. Net Price * $13,738 Median Starting Salary $46,980
#20 #20 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 37 degrees to students studying Illustration, the school’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, Graphic Design, and Painting....view more Acceptance Rate 48% Annual Degrees Awarded 11 SAT Score 1,060–1,220 Est. Net Price * $27,031 Median Starting Salary $52,887
#21 #21 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Art Academy of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH Every year, the Art Academy of Cincinnati awards about 14 degrees to those majoring in Design and Visual Communications, General, the institution’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Illustration, Painting, and Photography....view more Acceptance Rate 33% Annual Degrees Awarded 8 SAT Score 740–1,170 Est. Net Price * $28,899 Median Starting Salary $53,636
#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, Accounting, Computer Engineering, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 44% Annual Degrees Awarded 12 SAT Score 1,290–1,510 Est. Net Price * $14,297 Median Starting Salary $49,926
#23 #23 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Maine College of Art & Design Portland, ME Each year, Maine College of Art & Design grants around 18 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 Photography....view more Acceptance Rate 78% Annual Degrees Awarded 10 SAT Score 870–1,190 Est. Net Price * $37,132 Median Starting Salary $55,105
#24 #24 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, Finance, and General. In fact, Washington University in St Louis grants 193 degrees annually to graduating Computer Science students....view more Acceptance Rate 12% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,480–1,560 Est. Net Price * $22,440 Median Starting Salary $52,175
#25 #25 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, Computer Graphics, and Industrial and Product Design....view more Acceptance Rate 73% Annual Degrees Awarded 14 SAT Score 940–1,220 Est. Net Price * $49,945 Median Starting Salary $51,893
#26 #26 Best College for Painting in the U.S. American Academy of Art College Chicago, IL Every year, American Academy of Art College awards around 14 degrees to those studying Illustration, which is the school’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Painting, Commercial and Advertising Art, Animation, Interactive Technology, and Video Graphics and Special Effects....view more Acceptance Rate 93% Annual Degrees Awarded 12 SAT Score -- Est. Net Price * $32,872 Median Starting Salary $52,476
#27 #27 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 43% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,190–1,390 Est. Net Price * $39,005 Median Starting Salary $53,217
#28 #28 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 202 degrees to those studying Psychology, General, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Elementary Education and Teaching, Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, and Sociology....view more Acceptance Rate 59% Annual Degrees Awarded 9 SAT Score 1,180–1,340 Est. Net Price * $17,848 Median Starting Salary $50,610
#29 #29 Best College for Painting in the U.S. University of Hartford West Hartford, CT Annually, the University of Hartford awards around 45 degrees to students studying Business Administration and Management, General, the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 83% Annual Degrees Awarded 10 SAT Score 1,110–1,290 Est. Net Price * $30,553 Median Starting Salary $54,385
#30 #30 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Bennington College Bennington, VT Every year, Bennington College awards about 22 degrees to students majoring in Visual and Performing Arts, General, the institution’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General, Computer Science, and General Literature....view more Acceptance Rate 48% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,320–1,420 Est. Net Price * $35,108 Median Starting Salary $56,932
#31 #31 Best College for Painting in the U.S. University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA Annually, the University of Puget Sound awards around 48 degrees to those majoring in Business Administration and Management, General, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Psychology, General, Kinesiology and Exercise Science, and Computer Science....view more Acceptance Rate 76% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 1,220–1,400 Est. Net Price * $42,301 Median Starting Salary $58,530
#32 #32 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Marywood University Scranton, PA At Marywood University, the most popular majors students study are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Architecture, Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, and Other. In fact, Marywood University awards 39 degrees per year to graduating Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse students....view more Acceptance Rate 84% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 1,060–1,240 Est. Net Price * $24,712 Median Starting Salary $55,082
#33 #33 Best College for Painting in the U.S. University of Evansville Evansville, IN At the University of Evansville, the three most popular college majors students study are Health and Physical Education/Fitness, Other, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, and Mechanical Engineering....view more Acceptance Rate 78% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,060–1,310 Est. Net Price * $21,611 Median Starting Salary $53,086
#34 #34 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Arcadia University Glenside, PA Every year, Arcadia University grants around 58 degrees to those studying Biology/Biological Sciences, General, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 79% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,110–1,320 Est. Net Price * $26,994 Median Starting Salary $54,144
#35 #35 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Mississippi College Clinton, MS At Mississippi College, the most popular majors students study are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Biomedical Sciences, and General. In fact, Mississippi College grants 123 degrees per year to graduating Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse students....view more Acceptance Rate 49% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 1,010–1,240 Est. Net Price * $21,135 Median Starting Salary $49,669
#36 #36 Best College for Painting in the U.S. The University of the Arts Philadelphia, PA Each year, The University of the Arts awards around 66 degrees to students studying Dance, General, which is the school’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Music Management, Musical Theatre, and Illustration....view more Acceptance Rate 78% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 930–1,170 Est. Net Price * $44,510 Median Starting Salary $58,523
#37 #37 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, Business Administration and Management, and General. In fact, SUNY at Fredonia grants 75 degrees annually to graduating Psychology, General students....view more Acceptance Rate 79% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 1,080–1,310 Est. Net Price * $15,830 Median Starting Salary $54,693
#38 #38 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Aquinas College Grand Rapids, MI Annually, Aquinas College awards about 42 degrees to those majoring in Business Administration and Management, General, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 71% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,000–1,210 Est. Net Price * $19,890 Median Starting Salary $54,532
#39 #39 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Salem State University Salem, MA Every year, Salem State University grants around 155 degrees to students majoring in Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 96% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 990–1,160 Est. Net Price * $19,324 Median Starting Salary $52,160
#40 #40 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, Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Psychology, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 69% Annual Degrees Awarded 5 SAT Score 1,010–1,210 Est. Net Price * $19,755 Median Starting Salary $52,037
#41 #41 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI Each year, Oakland University awards around 520 degrees to those studying Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, which is the school’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other, Psychology, General, and Mechanical Engineering....view more Acceptance Rate 70% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,000–1,190 Est. Net Price * $15,734 Median Starting Salary $50,511
#42 #42 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI Each year, Ferris State University grants around 222 degrees to those majoring in Criminal Justice/Police Science, the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 81% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 900–1,130 Est. Net Price * $13,154 Median Starting Salary $50,925
#43 #43 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Daemen University Amherst, NY At Daemen University, the most popular majors students study are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Natural Sciences, and Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies. In fact, Daemen University grants 104 degrees every year to graduating Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse students....view more Acceptance Rate 76% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 950–1,150 Est. Net Price * $18,944 Median Starting Salary $52,634
#44 #44 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Rhode Island College Providence, RI Each year, Rhode Island College awards around 150 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, Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 81% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 860–1,160 Est. Net Price * $11,549 Median Starting Salary $51,677
#45 #45 Best College for Painting in the U.S. University of Southern Maine Portland, ME Every year, the University of Southern Maine awards around 158 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 1 SAT Score 1,010–1,280 Est. Net Price * $12,006 Median Starting Salary $49,569
#46 #46 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, Microbiology, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 51% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score -- Est. Net Price * $9,192 Median Starting Salary $46,813
#47 #47 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 76% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 960–1,190 Est. Net Price * $13,735 Median Starting Salary $51,343
#48 #48 Best College for Painting in the U.S. Dine College Tsaile, AZ Each year, Dine College awards about 16 degrees to students majoring in Elementary Education and Teaching, the school’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Psychology, General, Public Health, General, Business Administration and Management, and General....view more Acceptance Rate -- Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score -- Est. Net Price * $10,354 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, 485 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.

Most In-Demand Careers

These are the careers in highest demand for Painting majors.

Student Demographics

Total Students

485

Female Students

389 (80%)

Male Students

96 (19%)

Resources for:

Articles

Resources for:

Painting

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

60%

22

1,040–1,280

$30,142

$54,644

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

78%

26

1,050–1,280

$43,066

$56,250

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

14%

37

1,370–1,530

$42,106

$55,718

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

100%

13

950–1,100

$5,047

$49,428

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

11%

12

1,410–1,520

$27,551

$52,307

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

84%

37

1,070–1,300

$46,524

$53,969

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

--

4

810–1,230

$35,885

$54,325

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

83%

27

1,030–1,240

$29,641

$54,028

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

56%

3

1,090–1,280

$33,527

$53,445

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

38%

6

1,060–1,210

$17,887

$50,270

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

54%

1

1,190–1,390

$31,221

$54,555

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

92%

2

1,050–1,270

$20,696

$50,555

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

77%

27

990–1,180

$24,159

$57,230

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