Best Art & Design Colleges in New York (2026)
Updated
This page ranks the 62 schools in New York that offer Art & Design by the median earnings of Art & Design graduates four years after completing. Across the 41 schools with a reported completion median, median earnings range from $87,358 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to $19,683, with a median of $43,963. The gap between the top two schools is $23,699.
The list includes 23 public and 39 private nonprofit institutions. CUNY Hunter College reports the lowest average net price at $2,984, while Columbia University in the City of New York posts the highest six-year completion rate at 96%.
On Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College ranks 2nd.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median Art & Design Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute · Troy, NY | $87,358 | $36,228 | $24,078 | 63.5% |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute reports $87,358 in median earnings for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing, and ranks 392nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (41 graduates), Visual and Performing Arts, General (5 graduates) | |||||
| 2 | St. John's University-New York · Queens, NY | $63,659 | $29,999 | $27,787 | 83.4% |
| St. John's University-New York posts a six-year completion rate of 66% and an average net price of $29,999. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (23 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (7 graduates) | |||||
| 3 | Marist University · Poughkeepsie, NY | $61,116 | $41,544 | $26,083 | 56.5% |
| With an admission rate of 57%, Marist University shows median earnings of $61,116 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (44 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (37 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($66,010), Fine and Studio Arts ($55,296) | |||||
| 4 | Syracuse University · Syracuse, NY | $55,501 | $38,793 | $15,817 | 45.9% |
| Syracuse University ranks 497th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and carries an average net price of $15,817 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (100 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (61 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (51 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($71,527), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($44,045) | |||||
| 5 | Binghamton University · Vestal, NY | $55,134 | $21,620 | $12,171 | 38.6% |
| Binghamton University, a public university in Vestal, reports median earnings of $55,134 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (54 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (20 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (15 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Fine and Studio Arts ($60,299), Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($46,579) | |||||
| 6 | Pratt Institute-Main · Brooklyn, NY | $54,719 | $52,659 | $38,545 | 73.3% |
| Pratt Institute-Main admits 73% of applicants and posts an average net price of $38,545 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (273 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (71 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (64 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($59,792), Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($46,874), Fine and Studio Arts ($42,282) | |||||
| 7 | Fordham University · Bronx, NY | $53,938 | $44,338 | $32,474 | 59.3% |
| Fordham University graduates 82% of its students within six years, alongside median earnings of $53,938 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (57 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (52 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (32 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Fine and Studio Arts ($60,515), Dance ($47,036), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($46,317) | |||||
| 8 | Farmingdale State College · Farmingdale, NY | $53,896 | $10,867 | $4,933 | 63.3% |
| Farmingdale State College reports an average net price of $10,867 and ranks 128th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (43 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($53,896) | |||||
| 9 | The New School · New York, NY | $53,795 | $58,741 | $50,140 | 63.5% |
| The New School shows median earnings of $53,795 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing, with an admission rate of 63%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (476 graduates), Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management (150 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (107 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management ($74,936), Design and Applied Arts ($56,838), Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($48,557) | |||||
| 10 | St Lawrence University · Canton, NY | $53,720 | $28,651 | $13,420 | 54.3% |
| St Lawrence University posts a six-year completion rate of 79% and an average net price of $13,420 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (18 graduates), Music (11 graduates) | |||||
| 11 | Rochester Institute of Technology · Rochester, NY | $52,489 | $34,906 | $24,680 | 66.9% |
| Rochester Institute of Technology reports median earnings of $52,489 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing and ranks 363rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (122 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (113 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (9 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($52,970), Design and Applied Arts ($52,043) | |||||
| 12 | Russell Sage College · Troy, NY | $51,485 | $22,917 | $6,662 | 53.3% |
| Russell Sage College admits 53% of applicants and shows a six-year completion rate of 56%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (20 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (5 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($51,485) | |||||
| 13 | CUNY New York City College of Technology · Brooklyn, NY | $50,991 | $5,127 | $3,810 | 80.3% |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology reports $50,991 in median earnings for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $5,127. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (145 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (25 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($52,562), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($41,880) | |||||
| 14 | Manhattanville University · Purchase, NY | $50,416 | $20,991 | $13,548 | 87.3% |
| Manhattanville University admits 87% of applicants and posts a six-year completion rate of 58%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (24 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (9 graduates) | |||||
| 15 | Skidmore College · Saratoga Springs, NY | $49,947 | $32,297 | $9,932 | 21.1% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 83%, Skidmore College graduates 83% of its students within six years and reports an admission rate of 21%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (42 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (16 graduates), Dance (15 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Fine and Studio Arts ($53,602) | |||||
| 16 | New York University · New York, NY | $49,634 | $37,050 | $16,977 | 9.2% |
| New York University ranks 146th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows median earnings of $49,634 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (416 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (407 graduates), Visual and Performing Arts, Other (125 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($58,720), Music ($52,841), Fine and Studio Arts ($49,478) | |||||
| 17 | Pace University · New York, NY | $49,492 | $30,892 | $26,473 | 75.9% |
| Pace University reports an average net price of $30,892 and median earnings of $49,492 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (79 graduates), Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management (75 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (69 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management ($62,064), Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($52,368), Fine and Studio Arts ($50,623) | |||||
| 18 | Vassar College · Poughkeepsie, NY | $48,808 | $39,343 | $15,953 | 18.6% |
| Vassar College admits 19% of applicants and graduates 91% of its students within six years. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (25 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (24 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (23 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Fine and Studio Arts ($63,418), Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($42,956), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($40,165) | |||||
| 19 | Villa Maria College · Buffalo, NY | $48,379 | $13,494 | $13,049 | 86.6% |
| Villa Maria College reports median earnings of $48,379 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing, with an admission rate of 87%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (21 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (6 graduates), Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management (5 graduates) | |||||
| 20 | Hofstra University · Hempstead, NY | $47,954 | $34,176 | $28,219 | 68.1% |
| Hofstra University shows a six-year completion rate of 69% and an average net price of $34,176. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (32 graduates), Dance (17 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (11 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Music ($56,847), Fine and Studio Arts ($49,233), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($44,388) | |||||
| 21 | Wagner College · Staten Island, NY | $46,636 | $28,241 | $20,993 | 88.0% |
| Wagner College reports median earnings of $46,636 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 88%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (43 graduates), Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management (16 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (10 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management ($65,373), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($39,664) | |||||
| 22 | Ithaca College · Ithaca, NY | $45,466 | $33,926 | $21,901 | 69.0% |
| Ithaca College ranks 1290th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and graduates 76% of its students within six years. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Film/Video and Photographic Arts (108 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (65 graduates), Music (47 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Music ($51,338), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($46,563), Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($44,829) | |||||
| 23 | CUNY Hunter College · New York, NY | $44,218 | $2,984 | $1,029 | 53.8% |
| CUNY Hunter College posts an average net price of $2,984 and ranks 20th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (90 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (52 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (29 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Fine and Studio Arts ($56,160), Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($46,545), Music ($39,600) | |||||
| 24 | SUNY Oneonta · Oneonta, NY | $44,124 | $19,158 | $11,044 | 69.6% |
| SUNY Oneonta admits 70% of applicants and reports an average net price of $19,158. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (66 graduates), Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management (49 graduates), Visual and Performing Arts, General (30 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management ($47,324), Visual and Performing Arts, General ($47,321), Fine and Studio Arts ($33,299) | |||||
| 25 | CUNY Lehman College · Bronx, NY | $44,094 | $3,148 | $1,589 | 56.6% |
| CUNY Lehman College ranks 42nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and admits 57% of applicants. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (48 graduates), Visual and Performing Arts, General (20 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Fine and Studio Arts ($50,334) | |||||
| 26 | SUNY at Fredonia · Fredonia, NY | $43,963 | $15,897 | $9,395 | 77.7% |
| SUNY at Fredonia reports $43,963 in median earnings for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 50%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (47 graduates), Music (38 graduates), Design and Applied Arts (23 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management ($50,671), Design and Applied Arts ($43,087), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($39,770) | |||||
| 27 | University at Buffalo · Buffalo, NY | $43,391 | $20,995 | $14,668 | 74.2% |
| With an admission rate of 74%, University at Buffalo graduates 75% of its students within six years and posts an average net price of $20,995. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Film/Video and Photographic Arts (65 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (64 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (31 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($45,677), Fine and Studio Arts ($43,584), Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($43,285) | |||||
| 28 | CUNY City College · New York, NY | $43,371 | $3,776 | $1,251 | 60.0% |
| CUNY City College shows a six-year completion rate of 57% and an average net price of $1,251 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (116 graduates), Music (44 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (34 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($46,801), Fine and Studio Arts ($45,656), Music ($44,058) | |||||
| 29 | CUNY Brooklyn College · Brooklyn, NY | $43,144 | $3,103 | $1,029 | 58.4% |
| An average net price of $3,103 accompanies median earnings of $43,144 for Art & Design graduates four years after completing at CUNY Brooklyn College. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Film/Video and Photographic Arts (104 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (57 graduates), Music (27 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($44,032), Fine and Studio Arts ($42,362), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($41,233) | |||||
| 30 | University at Albany · Albany, NY | $42,540 | $17,167 | $11,112 | 69.1% |
| University at Albany admits 69% of applicants and posts an average net price of $11,112 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (33 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (12 graduates), Music (12 graduates) | |||||
| 31 | Barnard College · New York, NY | $41,789 | $28,800 | $11,600 | 8.8% |
| Barnard College, a private nonprofit college, reports $41,789 in median earnings for its Art & Design graduates two years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (40 graduates), Dance (12 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (11 graduates) | |||||
| 32 | CUNY Queens College · Queens, NY | $41,467 | $4,195 | $1,541 | 64.4% |
| CUNY Queens College ranks 61st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports $41,467 in median earnings for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (105 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (43 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (24 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($44,835), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($31,239) | |||||
| 33 | SUNY Brockport · Brockport, NY | $41,461 | $16,353 | $10,911 | 70.7% |
| SUNY Brockport shows a six-year completion rate of 55% and an average net price of $10,911 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (61 graduates), Dance (17 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (7 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Fine and Studio Arts ($44,092) | |||||
| 34 | Columbia University in the City of New York · New York, NY | $40,298 | $21,590 | $4,570 | 4.0% |
| Columbia University in the City of New York admits 4% of applicants and graduates 96% of its students within six years. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Visual and Performing Arts, Other (74 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (34 graduates), Music (17 graduates) | |||||
| 35 | Marymount Manhattan College · New York, NY | $39,560 | $36,861 | $30,722 | 82.6% |
| Marymount Manhattan College posts an average net price of $36,861 and ranks 1446th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (99 graduates), Dance (37 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (18 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($40,086), Dance ($38,227) | |||||
| 36 | Alfred University · Alfred, NY | $38,877 | $25,620 | $16,512 | 73.8% |
| Alfred University reports $38,877 in median earnings for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 74%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (69 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Fine and Studio Arts ($38,877) | |||||
| 37 | Long Island University · Brookville, NY | $38,423 | $33,062 | $22,019 | 86.2% |
| Long Island University ranks 37th on this list and posts a six-year completion rate of 57%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (36 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (8 graduates), Visual and Performing Arts, General (7 graduates) | |||||
| 38 | State University of New York at Plattsburgh · Plattsburgh, NY | $38,407 | $17,156 | $9,400 | 78.4% |
| State University of New York at Plattsburgh reports median earnings of $38,407 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (19 graduates), Music (6 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (5 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Fine and Studio Arts ($38,407) | |||||
| 39 | SUNY at Purchase College · Purchase, NY | $38,060 | $18,913 | $11,835 | 74.1% |
| An average net price of $11,835 for families earning under $30,000 accompanies a 74% admission rate at SUNY at Purchase College. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (149 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (65 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (62 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management ($51,954), Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($43,265), Music ($41,926) | |||||
| 40 | SUNY Buffalo State University · Buffalo, NY | $37,387 | $11,346 | $7,405 | 73.0% |
| SUNY Buffalo State University ranks 269th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows an average net price of $11,346. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (29 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (27 graduates), Music (12 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Fine and Studio Arts ($45,222), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($39,863) | |||||
| 41 | State University of New York at Oswego · Oswego, NY | $37,299 | $16,236 | $8,714 | 80.6% |
| A six-year completion rate of 60% and an admission rate of 81% are posted by State University of New York at Oswego, which ranks 41st on this list. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (48 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (47 graduates), Design and Applied Arts (20 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($44,939), Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($38,429) | |||||
| 42 | SUNY College at Potsdam · Potsdam, NY | $37,218 | $13,624 | $8,623 | 77.7% |
| SUNY College at Potsdam admits 78% of applicants and carries an average net price of $8,623 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Music (46 graduates), Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management (19 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (18 graduates) | |||||
| 43 | Cornell University · Ithaca, NY | $37,089 | $28,690 | $1,776 | 8.8% |
| With a 9% admission rate, Cornell University graduates 95% of its students within six years. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (37 graduates), Visual and Performing Arts, Other (18 graduates), Music (8 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Fine and Studio Arts ($41,784) | |||||
| 44 | The Juilliard School · New York, NY | $36,172 | $43,571 | $30,168 | 9.2% |
| The Juilliard School reports median earnings of $36,172 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 9%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Music (89 graduates), Dance (21 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (10 graduates) | |||||
| 45 | Adelphi University · Garden City, NY | $35,414 | $30,783 | $24,095 | 65.9% |
| Adelphi University ranks 370th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows a six-year completion rate of 67%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (18 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (15 graduates), Dance (11 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Fine and Studio Arts ($50,759), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($37,630) | |||||
| 46 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College · New York, NY | $35,060 | $3,033 | $607 | 47.5% |
| CUNY Bernard M Baruch College reports median earnings of $35,060 for its Art & Design graduates two years after completing and an average net price of $607 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Music (6 graduates) | |||||
| 47 | State University of New York at New Paltz · New Paltz, NY | $35,036 | $18,809 | $10,541 | 61.6% |
| An admission rate of 62% and a six-year completion rate of 72% are posted by State University of New York at New Paltz, which ranks 47th on this list. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (42 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (33 graduates), Design and Applied Arts (30 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Visual and Performing Arts, General ($41,097), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($39,521) | |||||
| 48 | Stony Brook University · Stony Brook, NY | $34,904 | $18,784 | $12,943 | 49.0% |
| Stony Brook University reports median earnings of $34,904 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $18,784. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (45 graduates), Music (16 graduates) | |||||
| 49 | University of Rochester · Rochester, NY | $34,888 | $29,278 | $9,678 | 40.1% |
| University of Rochester reports median earnings of $34,888 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $29,278. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Music (128 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (13 graduates), Dance (5 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Music ($34,888) | |||||
| 50 | Molloy University · Rockville Centre, NY | $34,822 | $24,347 | $17,548 | 81.7% |
| Molloy University admits 82% of applicants and shows a six-year completion rate of 70%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (23 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (7 graduates) | |||||
| 51 | Bard College · Annandale-On-Hudson, NY | $34,667 | $34,649 | $19,012 | 52.1% |
| Bard College posts an average net price of $19,012 for families earning under $30,000, alongside median earnings of $34,667 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (138 graduates), Music (13 graduates) | |||||
| 52 | Le Moyne College · Syracuse, NY | $34,283 | $22,277 | $14,535 | 83.0% |
| Le Moyne College ranks 52nd on this list, with a six-year completion rate of 73% and an admission rate of 83%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (10 graduates) | |||||
| 53 | Siena University · Loudonville, NY | $34,017 | $33,733 | $26,417 | 69.0% |
| Siena University reports an average net price of $26,417 for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 75%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Visual and Performing Arts, General (7 graduates) | |||||
| 54 | Nazareth University · Rochester, NY | $31,951 | $29,357 | $22,796 | 74.7% |
| Nazareth University admits 75% of applicants and posts an average net price of $29,357. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Music (16 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (15 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (14 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($36,117) | |||||
| 55 | College of Staten Island CUNY · Staten Island, NY | $31,874 | $5,579 | $3,903 | 92.3% |
| College of Staten Island CUNY, a public university, reports an average net price of $5,579 and ranks 93rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (28 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (20 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (6 graduates) | |||||
| 56 | Manhattan School of Music · New York, NY | $28,290 | $51,754 | $31,392 | 40.8% |
| Manhattan School of Music shows an admission rate of 41% and an average net price of $31,392 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Music (92 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (28 graduates) | |||||
| 57 | Daemen University · Amherst, NY | $26,353 | $18,693 | $10,773 | 68.3% |
| Daemen University reports median earnings of $26,353 for its Art & Design graduates two years after completing, and an average net price of $18,693. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Visual and Performing Arts, General (9 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (6 graduates) | |||||
| 58 | The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art · New York, NY | $24,920 | $13,269 | $3,749 | 20.7% |
| The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art admits 21% of applicants and reports median earnings of $24,920 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (62 graduates) | |||||
| 59 | Hamilton College · Clinton, NY | $24,772 | $28,985 | $8,028 | 13.6% |
| Hamilton College posts a six-year completion rate of 91% and an average net price of $8,028 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (28 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (9 graduates), Music (8 graduates) | |||||
| 60 | Mercy University · Dobbs Ferry, NY | $23,281 | $14,072 | $11,974 | 85.8% |
| Mercy University reports an average net price of $14,072 and a six-year completion rate of 46%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Music (25 graduates), Design and Applied Arts (5 graduates) | |||||
| 61 | SUNY College of Technology at Canton · Canton, NY | $21,964 | $15,268 | $10,908 | 92.2% |
| SUNY College of Technology at Canton reports median earnings of $21,964 for its Art & Design graduates two years after completing, and an average net price of $15,268. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (19 graduates) | |||||
| 62 | Hartwick College · Oneonta, NY | $19,683 | $31,320 | $22,584 | 69.6% |
| Hartwick College, a private nonprofit college in Oneonta, ranks 62nd on this list and shows a six-year completion rate of 53%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (9 graduates) | |||||
How this list is ordered
Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Art & Design graduates four years after completing, or two years for programs that report only a two-year figure, highest first. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled after completing. For 6 of the 62 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The figures cited on this page cover the 41 schools with a reported completion median. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute leads St. John's University-New York by $23,699, and the spread from top to bottom reaches $67,675.