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# Best Art & Design Colleges in Ohio (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Programs in this field[Music](/rankings/best-music-programs-in-ohio/)

This page ranks the 29 Art & Design programs in Ohio by the median earnings of Art & Design graduates four years after completing. Across the 19 schools with a published figure, median earnings range from $60,935 at [Miami University-Oxford](/school/miami-university-oxford/majors/) to $16,663, with a median of $37,688.

For 4 of the 29 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.

The list includes 12 public and 17 private nonprofit institutions. Ohio State University-Main Campus ranks 90th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and also posts the highest six-year completion rate on the page at 88%. Youngstown State University reports the lowest average net price, at $12,767.

## The ranked list

29 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median Art & Design Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Miami University-Oxford · Oxford, OH | $60,935 | $28,384 | $16,015 | 75.4% |
|  | [Miami University-Oxford](/school/miami-university-oxford/majors/) reports [$60,935 in median earnings](/school/miami-university-oxford/outcomes/) of Art & Design graduates four years after completing, the top figure on this list, alongside an average net price of $28,384. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (59 graduates), Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management (25 graduates), Music (23 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($67,981), Fine and Studio Arts ($55,891) |
| 2 | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus · Cincinnati, OH | No published median | $25,648 | $17,974 | 85.3% |
|  | [University of Cincinnati-Main Campus](/school/university-of-cincinnati-main-campus/majors/) ranks 2nd on this page and posts a [six-year completion rate of 75%](/school/university-of-cincinnati-main-campus/outcomes/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (219 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (70 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (62 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($71,605), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($54,000), Fine and Studio Arts ($37,025) |
| 3 | University of Dayton · Dayton, OH | No published median | $29,533 | $21,736 | 65.5% |
|  | A private nonprofit university in Dayton, [University of Dayton](/school/university-of-dayton/majors/) [admits 65% of applicants](/school/university-of-dayton/admissions/) and holds an average net price of $29,533. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (18 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (6 graduates), Music (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($66,679) |
| 4 | Kent State University at Kent · Kent, OH | $49,978 | $20,787 | $15,280 | 86.3% |
|  | [Kent State University at Kent](/school/kent-state-university-at-kent/majors/) shows [$49,978 in median earnings](/school/kent-state-university-at-kent/outcomes/) of Art & Design graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $15,280 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (250 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (58 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (49 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($56,540), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($36,429), Fine and Studio Arts ($35,710) |
| 5 | Ohio State University-Main Campus · Columbus, OH | No published median | $17,339 | $4,885 | 60.6% |
|  | [Ohio State University-Main Campus](/school/ohio-state-university-main-campus/majors/) graduates 88% within six years, reports an [average net price of $17,339,](/school/ohio-state-university-main-campus/cost/) and ranks 90th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (85 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (48 graduates), Design and Applied Arts (42 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($68,151), Music ($51,310), Fine and Studio Arts ($46,899) |
| 6 | Cedarville University · Cedarville, OH | No published median | $24,468 | $18,987 | 65.3% |
|  | [Cedarville University](/school/cedarville-university/majors/) ranks 6th on this list, with an [admission rate of 65%](/school/cedarville-university/admissions/) and a six-year completion rate of 73%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (45 graduates), Music (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($51,813) |
| 7 | Kenyon College · Gambier, OH | No published median | $38,512 | $18,242 | 31.0% |
|  | [Kenyon College](/school/kenyon-college/majors/) [admits 31% of applicants](/school/kenyon-college/admissions/) and reports an average net price of $18,242 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (23 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (15 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (9 graduates) |
| 8 | Columbus College of Art & Design · Columbus, OH | $46,310 | $29,439 | $24,204 | 67.7% |
|  | Columbus College of Art & Design reports $46,310 in median earnings of Art & Design graduates four years after completing and a six-year completion rate of 56%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (123 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (18 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (13 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($48,204), Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($43,661), Fine and Studio Arts ($32,061) |
| 9 | Bowling Green State University-Main Campus · Bowling Green, OH | $44,698 | $24,022 | $18,396 | 81.0% |
|  | [Bowling Green State University-Main Campus](/school/bowling-green-state-university-main-campus/majors/) shows [$44,698 in median earnings](/school/bowling-green-state-university-main-campus/outcomes/) of Art & Design graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $24,022. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (59 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (39 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (29 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($54,274), Visual and Performing Arts, General ($46,944), Music ($44,037) |
| 10 | Ohio University-Main Campus · Athens, OH | $43,308 | $21,637 | $15,673 | 85.0% |
|  | [Ohio University-Main Campus](/school/ohio-university-main-campus/majors/) ranks 10th on this page, with an [admission rate of 85%](/school/ohio-university-main-campus/admissions/) and an average net price of $15,673 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Music (42 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (35 graduates), Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management (29 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($49,553), Music ($44,593), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($42,796) |
| 11 | Cleveland Institute of Art · Cleveland, OH | $43,288 | $29,208 | $23,423 | 61.4% |
|  | Cleveland Institute of Art reports $43,288 in median earnings of Art & Design graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 61%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (65 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (25 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (11 graduates) |
| 12 | Capital University · Columbus, OH | $43,125 | $22,576 | $19,062 | 70.2% |
|  | [Capital University](/school/capital-university/majors/) shows [$43,125 in median earnings](/school/capital-university/outcomes/) of Art & Design graduates four years after completing and a six-year completion rate of 60%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Music (28 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (5 graduates), Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management (5 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Music ($43,125) |
| 13 | Mount Vernon Nazarene University · Mount Vernon, OH | $40,641 | $22,421 | $22,358 | 84.2% |
|  | Mount Vernon Nazarene University reports median earnings of $40,641 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate reaches 68%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (6 graduates) |
| 14 | Oberlin College · Oberlin, OH | No published median | $38,645 | $18,774 | 34.2% |
|  | [Oberlin College](/school/oberlin-college/majors/) [admits 34% of applicants](/school/oberlin-college/admissions/) and carries an average net price of $38,645. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Music (140 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (35 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (21 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Music ($43,343) |
| 15 | Baldwin Wallace University · Berea, OH | No published median | $27,603 | $21,296 | 75.7% |
|  | With a [six-year completion rate of 67%](/school/baldwin-wallace-university/outcomes/), [Baldwin Wallace University](/school/baldwin-wallace-university/majors/) ranks 1059th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (31 graduates), Music (30 graduates), Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($36,251) |
| 16 | Art Academy of Cincinnati · Cincinnati, OH | $38,077 | $34,253 | $33,835 | 34.5% |
|  | Art Academy of Cincinnati posts median earnings of $38,077 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 34%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (25 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (15 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($42,224), Fine and Studio Arts ($31,166) |
| 17 | Cleveland State University · Cleveland, OH | $37,688 | $14,764 | $11,958 | 91.3% |
|  | A public university in Cleveland, [Cleveland State University](/school/cleveland-state-university/majors/) shows an [average net price of $14,764](/school/cleveland-state-university/cost/) and a six-year completion rate of 51%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Film/Video and Photographic Arts (60 graduates), Design and Applied Arts (17 graduates), Music (17 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($46,635), Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($37,745), Fine and Studio Arts ($36,603) |
| 18 | Cleveland Institute of Music · Cleveland, OH | $37,656 | $28,226 | $23,782 | 47.3% |
|  | Cleveland Institute of Music reports median earnings of $37,656 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing, and its admission rate stands at 47%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Music (45 graduates) |
| 19 | Mount St. Joseph University · Cincinnati, OH | $36,941 | $16,530 | $11,689 | 59.1% |
|  | Mount St. Joseph University reports median earnings of $36,941 for its Art & Design graduates two years after completing, and an average net price of $11,689 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (7 graduates) |
| 20 | Wright State University-Main Campus · Dayton, OH | $35,979 | $15,415 | $11,952 | 96.3% |
|  | [Wright State University-Main Campus](/school/wright-state-university-main-campus/majors/) [admits 96% of applicants](/school/wright-state-university-main-campus/admissions/) and reports median earnings of $35,979 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (38 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (24 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (19 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($35,148), Fine and Studio Arts ($34,704) |
| 21 | Shawnee State University · Portsmouth, OH | $35,757 | $14,381 | $12,310 | Not reported |
|  | Graduating 48% of its students within six years, Shawnee State University reports median earnings of $35,757 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (29 graduates), Design and Applied Arts (11 graduates) |
| 22 | University of Toledo · Toledo, OH | $35,458 | $17,249 | $13,524 | 92.0% |
|  | [University of Toledo](/school/university-of-toledo/majors/) carries an [average net price of $17,249](/school/university-of-toledo/cost/) and reports median earnings of $35,458 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (19 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (5 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (5 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Fine and Studio Arts ($33,409) |
| 23 | University of Akron Main Campus · Akron, OH | No published median | $13,946 | $10,413 | 59.7% |
|  | An [admission rate of 60%](/school/university-of-akron-main-campus/admissions/) and a six-year completion rate of 52% accompany [University of Akron Main Campus](/school/university-of-akron-main-campus/majors/)'s position at 407th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (31 graduates), Music (22 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($50,484), Fine and Studio Arts ($36,233) |
| 24 | Ohio Northern University · Ada, OH | $34,445 | $24,478 | $18,525 | 74.4% |
|  | [Ohio Northern University](/school/ohio-northern-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $34,445](/school/ohio-northern-university/outcomes/) for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing, and a six-year completion rate of 75%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (12 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (6 graduates) |
| 25 | Youngstown State University · Youngstown, OH | No published median | $12,767 | $9,328 | 84.5% |
|  | [Youngstown State University](/school/youngstown-state-university/majors/) reports an [average net price of $12,767](/school/youngstown-state-university/cost/) and admits 84% of applicants. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (26 graduates), Music (15 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (10 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Fine and Studio Arts ($36,539) |
| 26 | Otterbein University · Westerville, OH | No published median | $19,237 | $12,458 | 84.5% |
|  | [Otterbein University](/school/otterbein-university/majors/) [admits 85% of applicants](/school/otterbein-university/admissions/) and graduates 68% of its students within six years. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (20 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (15 graduates), Music (8 graduates) |
| 27 | Ohio Wesleyan University · Delaware, OH | $23,649 | $20,897 | $15,412 | 55.6% |
|  | Ohio Wesleyan University reports median earnings of $23,649 for its Art & Design graduates two years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 59%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (7 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (6 graduates) |
| 28 | Denison University · Granville, OH | $18,966 | $40,007 | $16,656 | 17.4% |
|  | [Denison University](/school/denison-university/majors/) is the most selective school on the page, admitting 17% of applicants, and its Art & Design graduates earn a [median of $18,966](/school/denison-university/outcomes/) two years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (9 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (8 graduates), Music (5 graduates) |
| 29 | The College of Wooster · Wooster, OH | $16,663 | $23,458 | $12,512 | 59.5% |
|  | The College of Wooster ranks 926th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports a six-year completion rate of 74%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (13 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (9 graduates), Music (6 graduates) |

## How this list is ordered

Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Art & Design graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only schools with a reported Art & Design earnings cohort in Ohio appear. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after finishing. For 4 of the 29 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 range and median below cover the 19 schools with a published figure. The spread from Miami University-Oxford to University of Cincinnati-Main Campus is $44,272.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Art & Design Colleges in the United States](/rankings/best-art-and-design-colleges/)
-   [Best Colleges in Ohio](/rankings/best-colleges-in-ohio/)
-   [Best Art & Design Colleges in Florida](/rankings/best-art-and-design-colleges-in-florida/)
-   [Top Art & Design Colleges in California by Earnings](/rankings/best-art-and-design-colleges-in-california/)
-   [Best Art & Design Colleges in Kentucky](/rankings/best-art-and-design-colleges-in-kentucky/)
-   [Best Art & Design Colleges in Georgia](/rankings/best-art-and-design-colleges-in-georgia/)
-   Art & Design Colleges in Ohio for Social Mobility