Best Art & Design Colleges in Pennsylvania (2026)
Updated
This page ranks the 40 Art & Design programs in Pennsylvania by median earnings of Art & Design graduates four years after completing. Carnegie Mellon University ranks 1st on this list, with an admission rate of 12% and a six-year completion rate of 94%.
Across the 28 schools with a reported completion median, earnings range from $59,731 to $15,922, with a median of $42,301. For 7 of the listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
The list includes 12 public and 28 private nonprofit institutions. Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania posts the lowest average net price at $15,699, while University of Pennsylvania ranks 52nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median Art & Design Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carnegie Mellon University · Pittsburgh, PA | $61,334 | $31,944 | $9,097 | 11.7% |
| Carnegie Mellon University ranks 1st on this list and holds an Azimuth composite rank of 106th among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally, alongside a 94% six-year completion rate. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (53 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (33 graduates), Design and Applied Arts (31 graduates) | |||||
| 2 | Thomas Jefferson University · Philadelphia, PA | $59,731 | $28,928 | $22,537 | 81.0% |
| Thomas Jefferson University reports $59,731 in median earnings of Art & Design graduates four years after completing and admits 81% of applicants. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (57 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($59,731) | |||||
| 3 | Drexel University · Philadelphia, PA | $58,964 | $38,509 | $28,055 | 79.4% |
| With an average net price of $38,509, Drexel University posts a six-year completion rate of 78% and ranks 3rd on this list. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (169 graduates), Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management (81 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (54 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($66,294), Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management ($54,328) | |||||
| 4 | Lebanon Valley College · Annville, PA | $54,235 | $26,979 | $20,788 | 83.8% |
| Lebanon Valley College shows $54,235 in median earnings of Art & Design graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $20,788 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Music (28 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Music ($54,235) | |||||
| 5 | York College of Pennsylvania · York, PA | $52,222 | $18,556 | $12,927 | 73.7% |
| York College of Pennsylvania ranks 5th on this list with $52,222 in median earnings of Art & Design graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $18,556. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (14 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (6 graduates), Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($52,222) | |||||
| 6 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania · Indiana, PA | $47,793 | $16,804 | $12,364 | 90.8% |
| A public university in Indiana, Indiana University of Pennsylvania reports $47,793 in median earnings of Art & Design graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 91%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (48 graduates), Music (36 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (26 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($52,359), Music ($48,630), Fine and Studio Arts ($43,017) | |||||
| 7 | Moravian University · Bethlehem, PA | $47,737 | $30,670 | $24,609 | 54.2% |
| Moravian University posts a six-year completion rate of 72% and $47,737 in median earnings of Art & Design graduates four years after completing, ranking 7th on this list. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Music (22 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (20 graduates) | |||||
| 8 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus · Pittsburgh, PA | $47,360 | $30,434 | $14,709 | 58.1% |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus reports $47,360 in median earnings of Art & Design graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $14,709 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Film/Video and Photographic Arts (35 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (28 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Fine and Studio Arts ($57,705) | |||||
| 9 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania · Kutztown, PA | $46,527 | $21,331 | $15,957 | 90.8% |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania ranks 9th on this list, with $46,527 in median earnings of Art & Design graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 91%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (57 graduates), Visual and Performing Arts, General (30 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (26 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($53,312), Fine and Studio Arts ($34,337) | |||||
| 10 | Duquesne University · Pittsburgh, PA | $46,217 | $37,730 | $29,986 | 83.6% |
| Duquesne University reports $46,217 in median earnings of Art & Design graduates four years after completing and a six-year completion rate of 77%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Music (26 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Music ($46,217) | |||||
| 11 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus · University Park, PA | $45,831 | $32,875 | $19,845 | 60.6% |
| Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus posts $45,831 in median earnings of Art & Design graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $32,875, ranking 11th on this list. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Film/Video and Photographic Arts (68 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (41 graduates), Design and Applied Arts (37 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($58,105), Visual and Performing Arts, General ($45,170), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($44,913) | |||||
| 12 | Albright College · Reading, PA | $44,633 | $20,024 | $16,345 | 76.3% |
| Albright College ranks 12th on this list, with an average net price of $16,345 for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 51%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (24 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (8 graduates), Music (7 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($51,507), Fine and Studio Arts ($44,441) | |||||
| 13 | Mercyhurst University · Erie, PA | $43,957 | $19,444 | $22,626 | 81.0% |
| Mercyhurst University reports median earnings of $43,957 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate stands at 60%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (22 graduates), Dance (11 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($45,411) | |||||
| 14 | Robert Morris University · Moon Township, PA | $43,698 | $23,003 | $19,548 | 89.9% |
| Robert Morris University admits 90% of applicants and lists an average net price of $23,003. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($43,698) | |||||
| 15 | Temple University · Philadelphia, PA | $43,479 | $28,198 | $22,694 | 80.4% |
| Temple University, a public university in Philadelphia, ranks 15th on this list and posts a six-year completion rate of 75%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Film/Video and Photographic Arts (152 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (90 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (72 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($60,782), Visual and Performing Arts, General ($42,731), Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($42,526) | |||||
| 16 | Millersville University of Pennsylvania · Millersville, PA | $42,309 | $20,787 | $14,565 | 86.2% |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania shows median earnings of $42,309 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $20,787. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Music (44 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (28 graduates), Design and Applied Arts (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Fine and Studio Arts ($44,816) | |||||
| 17 | DeSales University · Center Valley, PA | $42,293 | $31,643 | $24,007 | 77.1% |
| DeSales University reports an average net price of $24,007 for families earning under $30,000, and its six-year completion rate is 72%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (32 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (12 graduates), Dance (11 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Film/Video and Photographic Arts ($46,847), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($42,571) | |||||
| 18 | Muhlenberg College · Allentown, PA | $39,933 | $28,905 | $12,302 | 72.0% |
| Muhlenberg College ranks 18th on this list and holds an Azimuth composite rank of 1003rd among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (72 graduates), Dance (24 graduates), Music (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Dance ($56,503), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($42,092) | |||||
| 19 | Point Park University · Pittsburgh, PA | $39,357 | $25,942 | $22,436 | 96.9% |
| Point Park University admits 97% of applicants and reports median earnings of $39,357 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (85 graduates), Dance (78 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (43 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($40,121), Dance ($37,205) | |||||
| 20 | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania · Shippensburg, PA | $39,127 | $23,726 | $18,709 | 86.5% |
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania posts a six-year completion rate of 56% and an average net price of $18,709 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (9 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Fine and Studio Arts ($39,127) | |||||
| 21 | Arcadia University · Glenside, PA | $38,659 | $29,466 | $23,127 | 80.2% |
| Arcadia University ranks 21st on this list and reports an average net price of $29,466 alongside a six-year completion rate of 67%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (14 graduates), Design and Applied Arts (13 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (13 graduates) | |||||
| 22 | Pennsylvania College of Art and Design · Lancaster, PA | $38,275 | $30,083 | $24,547 | 99.2% |
| Pennsylvania College of Art and Design admits 99% of applicants and reports median earnings of $38,275 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (30 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (8 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (6 graduates) | |||||
| 23 | Susquehanna University · Selinsgrove, PA | $38,012 | $28,819 | $19,757 | 81.4% |
| Susquehanna University ranks 23rd on this list and holds an Azimuth composite rank of 1305th among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (13 graduates), Music (10 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (8 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($59,551) | |||||
| 24 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania · Slippery Rock, PA | $37,866 | $19,608 | $12,555 | 71.5% |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania reports an average net price of $12,555 for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 66%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Music (17 graduates), Dance (16 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (14 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Dance ($40,797) | |||||
| 25 | University of Pennsylvania · Philadelphia, PA | $37,835 | $28,699 | -$3,012* | 5.4% |
| University of Pennsylvania posts a 97% six-year completion rate and an admission rate of 5%, ranking 52nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (40 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (20 graduates), Design and Applied Arts (15 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Fine and Studio Arts ($44,735) | |||||
| 26 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania · Bloomsburg, PA | $37,761 | $15,699 | $11,374 | 93.1% |
| Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania has an average net price of $15,699 and a six-year completion rate of 54%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (24 graduates), Music (19 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (12 graduates) | |||||
| 27 | Pennsylvania Western University · California, PA | $36,935 | $18,256 | $13,944 | 94.3% |
| Pennsylvania Western University admits 94% of applicants and shows a six-year completion rate of 52%, ranking 590th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (88 graduates), Design and Applied Arts (25 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (9 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Fine and Studio Arts ($37,684) | |||||
| 28 | Marywood University · Scranton, PA | $35,823 | $23,388 | $18,941 | 60.6% |
| Marywood University reports median earnings of $35,823 for its Art & Design graduates two years after completing, alongside a 72% six-year completion rate. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (12 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (9 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (5 graduates) | |||||
| 29 | Messiah University · Mechanicsburg, PA | $35,403 | $26,502 | $19,393 | 79.0% |
| Ranking 1292nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, Messiah University has an average net price of $26,502 and an admission rate of 79%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (18 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (6 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (6 graduates) | |||||
| 30 | Lycoming College · Williamsport, PA | $34,936 | $19,140 | $12,151 | 74.1% |
| Lycoming College graduates earn a median of $34,936 four years after completing their Art & Design program, with an average net price of $19,140. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (16 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (5 graduates), Music (5 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Fine and Studio Arts ($34,936) | |||||
| 31 | Seton Hill University · Greensburg, PA | $34,890 | $22,204 | $15,143 | 79.5% |
| An admission rate of 80% and a six-year completion rate of 67% accompany median earnings of $34,890 for Art & Design graduates of Seton Hill University four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (11 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (10 graduates), Dance (8 graduates) | |||||
| 32 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania · West Chester, PA | $33,231 | $23,331 | $17,018 | 78.4% |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania reports median earnings of $33,231 for its Art & Design graduates two years after completing, and an average net price of $17,018 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Music (58 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (46 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (15 graduates) | |||||
| 33 | Moore College of Art and Design · Philadelphia, PA | $33,200 | $43,086 | $34,834 | 56.5% |
| Moore College of Art and Design has an average net price of $43,086 and a six-year completion rate of 57%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (48 graduates), Visual and Performing Arts, General (28 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Design and Applied Arts ($38,831) | |||||
| 34 | Allegheny College · Meadville, PA | $32,925 | $22,940 | $18,495 | 54.6% |
| Graduates of Allegheny College earn a median of $32,925 two years after completing their Art & Design program, and the school admits 55% of applicants. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Design and Applied Arts (8 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (7 graduates) | |||||
| 35 | Lafayette College · Easton, PA | $31,904 | $34,433 | $12,716 | 31.5% |
| Lafayette College admits 31% of applicants and reports an 88% six-year completion rate, with median earnings of $31,904 for its Art & Design graduates two years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Film/Video and Photographic Arts (17 graduates), Fine and Studio Arts (16 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (11 graduates) | |||||
| 36 | Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts · Philadelphia, PA | $31,131 | $42,454 | $39,928 | Not reported |
| Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts reports median earnings of $31,131 for its Art & Design graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $42,454. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (23 graduates), Design and Applied Arts (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Fine and Studio Arts ($31,131) | |||||
| 37 | Dickinson College · Carlisle, PA | $29,685 | $37,607 | $40,755 | 42.1% |
| Dickinson College reports median earnings of $29,685 for its Art & Design graduates two years after completing, and its six-year completion rate stands at 80%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (11 graduates), Music (6 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (5 graduates) | |||||
| 38 | Cedar Crest College · Allentown, PA | $29,141 | $18,659 | $21,044 | 84.1% |
| With an average net price of $18,659, Cedar Crest College admits 84% of applicants and ranks 831st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (11 graduates) | |||||
| 39 | East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania · East Stroudsburg, PA | $27,827 | $18,134 | $15,365 | 92.1% |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, a public university in East Stroudsburg, has a six-year completion rate of 43% and an average net price of $15,365 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Visual and Performing Arts, General (10 graduates), Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (8 graduates) | |||||
| 40 | Gettysburg College · Gettysburg, PA | $15,922 | $31,490 | $13,625 | 38.9% |
| Gettysburg College ranks 40th on this list with median earnings of $15,922 two years after completing, and admits 39% of applicants. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Fine and Studio Arts (12 graduates), Film/Video and Photographic Arts (11 graduates), Music (8 graduates) | |||||
* Net price can be negative: when grants and scholarships exceed the listed cost of attendance, students can receive the difference as a refund for other expenses.
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 reflects federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled after completing. For 7 of the 40 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 28 schools with a reported completion median. The spread from Carnegie Mellon University to the bottom of the list is $43,809.