Top Ranked Programs
Maine College of Art & Design concentrates its program portfolio in visual and performing arts — a signature that reflects the institution's identity as a specialized design and art college. Design and Applied Arts is the largest program with 29 graduates, followed by Fine and Studio Arts with 24 graduates, Graphic Communications, and Film/Video and Photographic Arts with 8 graduates. Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 75 students annually, the institution's strength lies in the depth and breadth of its creative disciplines rather than in programs ranked at the national top quartile. The earnings pattern reflects the creative-industries focus. Film/Video and Photographic Arts leads with median earnings of $41,600 four years after enrollment, followed by Design and Applied Arts with graduates earning $39,443, and Fine and Studio Arts with graduates earning $34,720. These figures are characteristic of creative-field outcomes, where early-career earnings reflect entry into design studios, creative agencies, freelance work, and emerging creative roles rather than the higher starting salaries typical of engineering or finance fields. Maine College of Art & Design's program mix is anchored in Visual & Performing Arts, a portfolio that serves students seeking direct entry into creative careers and design-focused professional pathways. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how creative-field outcomes align with labor-market demand in design, media, and arts-adjacent sectors. For students prioritizing creative practice and artistic development over maximum early-career earnings, the institution's specialized focus and concentrated program depth offer a distinctive educational pathway.