Top Art Schools Ranking
According to the 2009 U.S. News & World Report rankings for the top art schools in the United States, the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) holds the distinction of being ranked first nationally for its Master of Fine Arts program. This prestigious recognition underscores RISD's exceptional commitment to excellence in fine arts education, as well as its ability to foster innovation and creativity across a range of disciplines. Following closely behind RISD are Yale University (ranked 2nd) and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (ranked 3rd). These institutions, along with other top contenders such as Cranbrook Academy of Art, Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), comprise some of the most distinguished art schools in the United States, offering comprehensive programs designed to prepare students for careers in the arts.
The Rhode Island School of Design’s top position is a reflection of its rigorous curriculum, emphasis on creative exploration, and its ability to cultivate some of the most talented artists and designers in the country. As a leader in art and design education, RISD offers its students the opportunity to study a variety of disciplines while focusing on cutting-edge practices in fine arts. RISD’s Master of Fine Arts program provides students with an intensive and immersive experience that encourages experimentation, research, and innovation. With its strong faculty, resources, and emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, RISD ensures that its students graduate not only with technical mastery but also with the ability to think critically and push boundaries within their creative practices.
Following RISD in the rankings is Yale University, which stands out as another pillar of American art education. Yale’s School of Art is well-regarded for its professional approach to graduate education, offering exclusively Master of Fine Arts degrees. Yale is distinct in that it provides these advanced degrees in specialized fields such as graphic design, painting/printmaking, photography, and sculpture. Yale’s ability to focus solely on graduate-level education has enabled it to maintain its reputation as one of the most selective and prestigious art schools in the United States. Yale’s School of Art is well known for its emphasis on fostering technical skill, creative innovation, and professional development while encouraging its students to engage deeply with the cultural and theoretical aspects of their work. Graduates of Yale’s MFA program have gone on to become influential figures in their respective fields, further solidifying the institution’s standing in the art world.
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is ranked third in the 2009 U.S. News & World Report survey and remains one of the most important fine arts colleges in the United States. Based in Chicago, Illinois, SAIC offers an intensive two-year Master of Fine Arts program that caters to a variety of specializations, including studio arts, writing, and new arts journalism. SAIC is notable for its interdisciplinary approach to education, combining critical inquiry with technical skill-building to prepare students for careers as versatile and innovative artists. The school’s commitment to promoting experimental practices and engaging with contemporary art theory makes it one of the most desirable programs for students aspiring to earn their MFA. Furthermore, SAIC's programs provide students with a unique combination of studio practice, critical research, and professional development, allowing graduates to thrive in competitive creative industries.
Cranbrook Academy of Art is another top contender in the U.S. News & World Report rankings, earning a spot as one of the top four art schools in the country. As noted in the 2009 edition of America’s Best Graduate Schools, Cranbrook is ranked fourth overall among the 220 Master of Fine Arts programs in the United States. One of the most impressive features of Cranbrook is its reputation for having all its departments placed within the top 10 of their respective specialties. These specialties include ceramics, fiber, graphic design (2D design), industrial design (3D design), metals/jewelry (metalsmithing), painting, photography, printmaking (print media), and sculpture. The institution’s emphasis on specialization allows students to refine their craft and gain technical mastery in their chosen field while being supported by a collaborative and innovative community of peers and professors.
The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) is another powerhouse institution in the fine arts education landscape. Ranked fourth overall in the national MFA rankings, MICA is celebrated for its excellence in numerous areas of study. In the specialty rankings, MICA’s graduate programs perform exceptionally well, with painting and drawing earning a fourth-place ranking, graphic design coming in sixth, sculpture ranked seventh, multimedia and visual communications at twelfth, and photography at fifteenth. MICA’s reputation for encouraging creativity, interdisciplinary study, and hands-on experience ensures that students graduate with a comprehensive understanding of both their medium and the cultural significance of their artistic contributions. With its commitment to experimentation and research, MICA remains one of the most competitive and sought-after MFA programs in the country.
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is also highly regarded and has earned a well-deserved place in the top tier of art schools in the United States. VCU is ranked fourth overall but stands out as the number one public university school of arts and design in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report. VCU excels in a number of disciplines, earning first-place rankings in sculpture and fourth in graphic design. The university is also ranked eighth in painting, ninth in multimedia and visual communications, twelfth in ceramics, seventeenth in printmaking, and fifth in glass. VCU’s emphasis on professional training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and research ensures that students receive a well-rounded education while engaging with the most pressing issues in contemporary art and design. VCU’s ability to provide students with practical experience, industry connections, and technical training has solidified its reputation as one of the most respected institutions in the fine arts community.
Other notable schools included in the top tier of the national rankings are the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), Carnegie Mellon University, UCLA, and Alfred University. Each of these institutions offers its own specialized strengths, interdisciplinary curriculum, and innovative creative opportunities for graduate students. CalArts, Carnegie Mellon, and UCLA are all ranked seventh in the national MFA rankings, highlighting their shared commitment to fostering creativity and interdisciplinary exploration. Alfred University rounds out the top 10, offering students access to diverse MFA programs and a rich educational experience rooted in technical skill and innovation.
The 2009 U.S. News & World Report survey demonstrates the dynamic landscape of art education in the United States, with these elite institutions leading the way. Each of these programs offers distinctive areas of study, specialized faculty, interdisciplinary collaboration, and industry connections that ensure their graduates are well-prepared for the modern art and design world. From the Rhode Island School of Design to Yale, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and beyond, these top art schools represent the best of American art education while inspiring creativity, innovation, and cultural engagement among their students.
