STUDYING ART AFTER HIGH SCHOOL:
AN OVERVIEW
Options and expenses for post-secondary education range widely. Education at some institutions qualifies for Federal Student Loans, scholarships, and grants while other institutions may be exempt from this sort of assistance. Check with high school guidance counselors and school admissions counselors for more information on this.
Providers of arts-related education fall broadly into four categories: professional art colleges, liberal arts colleges and universities, associate degree and certificate programs, and on-the-job training. Tuition expenses, and time commitments vary widely among these options and may also vary depending upon other circumstances. Although not specifically directed at art, a study* by the Georgetown University Center for Education and the Workforce has shown that lifetime potential earnings are often significantly different based upon a worker's level of training, but this is not ALWAYS true. Families are encouraged to personally investigate a student's specific art career requirements and goals to balance education with the needs of their desired career or career goals.
READ BELOW FOR DESCRIPTIONS OF ART SCHOOLS and CLICK HERE to read interviews with three SASD students who are studying art at various types of schools.
Providers of arts-related education fall broadly into four categories: professional art colleges, liberal arts colleges and universities, associate degree and certificate programs, and on-the-job training. Tuition expenses, and time commitments vary widely among these options and may also vary depending upon other circumstances. Although not specifically directed at art, a study* by the Georgetown University Center for Education and the Workforce has shown that lifetime potential earnings are often significantly different based upon a worker's level of training, but this is not ALWAYS true. Families are encouraged to personally investigate a student's specific art career requirements and goals to balance education with the needs of their desired career or career goals.
READ BELOW FOR DESCRIPTIONS OF ART SCHOOLS and CLICK HERE to read interviews with three SASD students who are studying art at various types of schools.
PROFESSIONAL ART SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES
Professional art colleges are colleges that specialize in the training of artists. They generally offer four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees (B.F.A.) that translate into about 75% studio and art history classes and 25% liberal arts classes. They may also offer Associate degrees or certificates that are conferred after about 2 years of intensive study in studio only. Many of these schools also offer Master of Fine Arts degrees. The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) is the terminal degree (highest level degree) in studio art and involves deep, directed investigation (CLICK HERE for more information on M.F.A. study).
Professional art schools often offer a broad range of major subjects within art study such as painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, art history, etc. The B.F.A. degree is an appropriate degree for application into graduate study (Masters and Doctorate) programs. Depending upon the school and its reputation, there can be significant (but intangible) value-added benefits to an education at a professional art college through networking opportunities and school name recognition.
These schools are usually private and can be quite expensive; however, they qualify for financial aid, scholarships, and grants and may offer their own grants and scholarships. Some liberal arts colleges, including public universities, also offer B.F.A. programs and even Master's degrees in studio art. Admission to these schools can range from very liberal to extremely exclusive depending upon the size and reputation of the school; a portfolio review is almost always required. Professional degrees (in this case, the M.F.A.) are generally among the highest paying types of degrees in their fields in terms of lifetime earnings.* This generalization is not always true; personal investigation of specific art careers is encouraged to assure that education is balanced to the career requirements and goals.
Professional art colleges are colleges that specialize in the training of artists. They generally offer four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees (B.F.A.) that translate into about 75% studio and art history classes and 25% liberal arts classes. They may also offer Associate degrees or certificates that are conferred after about 2 years of intensive study in studio only. Many of these schools also offer Master of Fine Arts degrees. The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) is the terminal degree (highest level degree) in studio art and involves deep, directed investigation (CLICK HERE for more information on M.F.A. study).
Professional art schools often offer a broad range of major subjects within art study such as painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, art history, etc. The B.F.A. degree is an appropriate degree for application into graduate study (Masters and Doctorate) programs. Depending upon the school and its reputation, there can be significant (but intangible) value-added benefits to an education at a professional art college through networking opportunities and school name recognition.
These schools are usually private and can be quite expensive; however, they qualify for financial aid, scholarships, and grants and may offer their own grants and scholarships. Some liberal arts colleges, including public universities, also offer B.F.A. programs and even Master's degrees in studio art. Admission to these schools can range from very liberal to extremely exclusive depending upon the size and reputation of the school; a portfolio review is almost always required. Professional degrees (in this case, the M.F.A.) are generally among the highest paying types of degrees in their fields in terms of lifetime earnings.* This generalization is not always true; personal investigation of specific art careers is encouraged to assure that education is balanced to the career requirements and goals.
LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Liberal arts colleges and universities are those that generally offer a Bachelor of Art (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. These degrees require between 25% to 50% art study and 75% to 50% other liberal arts classes. Some of these schools may offer Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degrees that are about 75% art study and 25% other liberal arts subject matter. They are likely to offer fewer art major options than a professional art college. B.A., B.S., and B.F.A. degrees are all appropriate for admission into graduate programs, although some Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) programs give preference to those with B.F.A. degrees.
Depending upon the school, there may be significant (but intangible) value-added benefits such as networking opportunities and school name recognition.
These institutions may be public or private and tuition rates vary widely. Nearly all of these schools are covered by financial aid programs, grants, and scholarships and offer their own scholarships and grants. Depending on the size and reputation of the school, admission ranges from liberal to quite exclusive; portfolio review may or may not be a requirement for admission. Bachelor’s degrees from these types of institutions are at about the middle level of potential for lifetime earnings as compared to other certifications and advanced degrees. The potential earnings are, on average, somewhat lower than those of a B.F.A. holder from a professional art college.* This is a generalization and is not always true; personally investigating specific art careers is encouraged to assure that education is balanced to the career requirements and goals.
Liberal arts colleges and universities are those that generally offer a Bachelor of Art (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. These degrees require between 25% to 50% art study and 75% to 50% other liberal arts classes. Some of these schools may offer Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degrees that are about 75% art study and 25% other liberal arts subject matter. They are likely to offer fewer art major options than a professional art college. B.A., B.S., and B.F.A. degrees are all appropriate for admission into graduate programs, although some Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) programs give preference to those with B.F.A. degrees.
Depending upon the school, there may be significant (but intangible) value-added benefits such as networking opportunities and school name recognition.
These institutions may be public or private and tuition rates vary widely. Nearly all of these schools are covered by financial aid programs, grants, and scholarships and offer their own scholarships and grants. Depending on the size and reputation of the school, admission ranges from liberal to quite exclusive; portfolio review may or may not be a requirement for admission. Bachelor’s degrees from these types of institutions are at about the middle level of potential for lifetime earnings as compared to other certifications and advanced degrees. The potential earnings are, on average, somewhat lower than those of a B.F.A. holder from a professional art college.* This is a generalization and is not always true; personally investigating specific art careers is encouraged to assure that education is balanced to the career requirements and goals.
ASSOCIATE DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
Associate and certificate programs are generally in the form of 2-year training. They are provided through an extremely wide range of providers from trade schools and community colleges to top art schools. They have the benefit of full immersion in art study and a short-term time commitment relative to bachelors degrees from colleges and universities.
They can be quite expensive or reasonably priced, depending on the institution. They are generally quite liberal in their admissions qualifications; portfolios may be helpful in gaining admission, but are rarely required. In general terms, the salaries of those with these degrees and certificates are in the lower half of potential lifetime earnings and are statistically significantly lower than those of Bachelors and more advanced degrees*; however, this is a generalization that is not always true. Personal investigation of specific art careers is encouraged to assure that education is balanced to the career requirements and goals.
Associate and certificate programs are generally in the form of 2-year training. They are provided through an extremely wide range of providers from trade schools and community colleges to top art schools. They have the benefit of full immersion in art study and a short-term time commitment relative to bachelors degrees from colleges and universities.
They can be quite expensive or reasonably priced, depending on the institution. They are generally quite liberal in their admissions qualifications; portfolios may be helpful in gaining admission, but are rarely required. In general terms, the salaries of those with these degrees and certificates are in the lower half of potential lifetime earnings and are statistically significantly lower than those of Bachelors and more advanced degrees*; however, this is a generalization that is not always true. Personal investigation of specific art careers is encouraged to assure that education is balanced to the career requirements and goals.
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING
On-the-job training refers here to specialized training that is presented through an employer while working within a vocation for which a college degree is not required. This training may be delivered by the employer, or through another service provider such as a community college or private source. This training may or may not include any level of certification.
The benefit to this training may be a promotion or expansion of the skill set within this vocation. It may or may not include a benefit to salary compensation. The downside to this sort of training is that it may not be recognized by other employers or industry-at-large. Generally speaking, those with little or no formal training beyond high school are among the lowest lifetime earners.* As previously mentioned, this generalization is not always true. Students and families are encouraged to personally investigate specific art careers to assure that education is balanced to the career requirements and goals.
On-the-job training refers here to specialized training that is presented through an employer while working within a vocation for which a college degree is not required. This training may be delivered by the employer, or through another service provider such as a community college or private source. This training may or may not include any level of certification.
The benefit to this training may be a promotion or expansion of the skill set within this vocation. It may or may not include a benefit to salary compensation. The downside to this sort of training is that it may not be recognized by other employers or industry-at-large. Generally speaking, those with little or no formal training beyond high school are among the lowest lifetime earners.* As previously mentioned, this generalization is not always true. Students and families are encouraged to personally investigate specific art careers to assure that education is balanced to the career requirements and goals.
*The College Payoff: Education, Occupations, Lifetime Earnings- Executive Summary, although this report notes that individual salary circumstances vary and that particular jobs, racial/ethnic factors, and gender can affect earnings both positively and negatively.
References:
Carnevale, Anthony P., Stephen J. Rose and Ban Cheah. The College Payoff: Education, Occupations, Lifetime Earnings, Executive Summary. The Georgetown University Center For Education And The Workforce. Georgetown University. Washington, DC. August 2011.
The Consortium of East Coast Art Schools. Art School Admissions: The High School Student’s Guide to Portfolio Preparation. 1986.