Students studying

Art and Art Studies Majors & Colleges

Art is for people who notice things. Light on a wall, a weird color combo in a sunset, the way a poster pulls your eye across the page. As an art major, you’ll make a lot of work, talk about it a lot, and slowly figure out what you’re actually trying to say visually. You’ll build skills, but you’ll also build taste, which is the underrated superpower.

What studying art is like

Most of your week revolves around studio classes. You’ll draw, paint, build, edit, revise, and sometimes restart. Critiques are a big deal. You put your work up, everyone looks, and you get feedback that helps you see what’s working and what’s not. It can be awkward at first, but it’s how you level up fast.

What you’ll learn

  • How to turn a rough idea into a finished piece
  • How composition, color, and contrast control what people notice first
  • How different materials behave, and how to pick the right one for the job
  • How to talk about your work without sounding like you’re writing a fortune cookie
  • How to document your projects and build a portfolio that actually makes sense

Common classes

  • Drawing (usually more than one)
  • Design foundations (2D and 3D)
  • Color theory
  • Painting, sculpture, printmaking, or ceramics
  • Digital art, photo, or new media
  • Art history (the context behind the work)
  • Portfolio or senior studio

Skills you’ll build

  • Visual problem-solving
  • Craft and technique
  • Taking feedback without spiraling
  • Finishing long projects on a deadline
  • Presenting your work in a way that feels intentional

What you can do with this major

A lot of art grads split into two lanes: making their own work, or using their art skills in creative industries.

  • Studio artist
  • Illustrator
  • Graphic designer
  • Photographer
  • Animator or motion designer
  • Art teacher (usually with additional certification)
  • Gallery or museum roles
  • Creative content roles for brands

Careers and job outlook

The “resume” for art is your portfolio. People want to see what you make, how consistent you are, and whether you can finish projects. Internships, freelance gigs, student shows, and even one solid passion project can do a ton of heavy lifting.

How to choose a program

  • Tour the studios if you can. Space and equipment matter.
  • Look at student work. If it’s all the same style, that’s a clue.
  • Ask how critiques work and how often you build portfolio pieces.
  • Check if there are internships, exhibitions, or client projects baked in.
  • See what digital tools you’ll get access to (and whether you’ll actually use them).

FAQs

Is an art major the same as graphic design?
No. Art is more exploration and studio practice. Graphic design is communication for an audience, often for clients or brands.

Do I need to be amazing at drawing already?
Not at all. You need consistency. People improve fast when they work regularly and get feedback.

What should I do outside class?
Make work, document it well, and post or share it somewhere. Apply for student shows. Take small gigs. Build a portfolio you can explain.

If you want, drop the vibe you’re aiming for (more playful, more serious, more “older sibling advice,” more artsy), and I’ll rewrite the landing page to match it.

736

Create a free account to find, finance and attend the college that's right for you.

Colleges

College placeholder image

American Samoa Community College is a 2-year institution located on the American territory’s largest island of Tutuila. ASCC is home to 17 academic departments including a Samoan Studies program offering classes in the territory’s language and...

“…

The school was the best. Things we learn here are way beyond the hardest. Kids are fun to hang out with.

” – Aska from American Samoa
College placeholder image

Sinte Gleska University is a 4-year, tribal institution located in Mission, South Dakota. Sinte Gleska offers over 20 academic programs, awarding certificates, associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees. The college’s campus...

“…

Sinte Gleska offers four year degree programs in Human Services, Business, Lakota Studies and Information Technology,generally, with several minors. The university is open to the general public and core studies involve the Lakota Culture. SGU is...

” – Alicia from Parmelee, SD
College placeholder image

Mesalands Community College is a 2-year college in eastern New Mexico. MCC offers 19 degree and eight certificate-granting programs, several of which are specific to the college’s western location such as Cowboy Arts and Farrier Science. The MCC Wind...

“…

Beautiful school, cheap rent on properties/rooms, low tuition but a great program. Champion Rodeo Team, Wind Energy Research, Iron Pour, plus great support if you need help in your classes. Can't Wait!

” – Sonja from Tucumcari, NM
College placeholder image

The University of New Mexico-Gallup is a 2-year community college in western New Mexico affiliated with the UNM system. UNM Gallup is home to four academic departments offering degrees and certificates in 22 fields of study. For students who wish to...

“…

At the University of New Mexico branch in Gallup, NM, I believe that I will most likely learn a lot. Students who are currently attending there say they are adapting to the learning environment quickly. They feel comfortable and welcomed. With these...

College placeholder image

Northwest College is a public, 2-year institution established in Powell, Wyoming, with four satellite facilities in Cody, Worland, and Shoshone National Forest. NWC offers over 30 CTE degree and certificate programs, as well as 48 transfer degree...

“…

it is very easy to learn a lot here because of the tiny class sizes and good professors.

” – Adeline from Shell, WY
College placeholder image

Established in 1946, Ohio University in Zanesville is a public, 4-year institution located in Muskingum County and is one of seven Ohio University campuses and centers. OU Zanesville offers five associate degree programs, 13 bachelor’s degree...

College placeholder image

Copper Mountain College is a public, 2-year institution established on a rural campus in Joshua Tree, California. CMC offers associate’s degrees and certificates in nearly 30 areas of study, with courses following a 2-year rotation cycle. The college...

College placeholder image

Surrounded by the Plumas National Forest, Feather River Community College is a 2-year institution in northern California. Among FRCC’s 24 academic programs, several courses utilize the campus’s rural and heavily wooded location to offer degrees in...

“…

Feather River College is a wonderful school and helps students transition from high school to the academic rigor of college. It is in a beautiful rural setting and professors are professional, knowledgeable, and there to help students succeed. FRC...

” – Brent from Quincy, CA
College placeholder image

With a campus overlooking the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, Fulton-Montgomery Community College is a 2-year institution and part of the State University of New York system. Fulton-Montgomery is home to over 35 academic programs granting...

“…

A great start to education for a career. The faculty are always ready to help and will know you on a personal level. They will get you ready for your future.

” – Reginald from Gloversville, NY
College placeholder image

Established in 1984, Stone Child College is a public, tribal institution located in Box Elder, Montana. SCC offers nearly 20 associate’s degree programs, a bachelor’s degree program in Elementary Education, and six career-oriented certificate...

College placeholder image

Surrounded by the Rio Grande Valley and Manzano Mountains, The University of New Mexico in Valencia county is a regional campus of the UNM system in central New Mexico. UNM-Valencia offers degrees and certificates in 30 academic subjects...

College placeholder image

Originally founded as a center for graduate studies, the University of New Mexico Los Alamos is a branch campus of UNM in northern New Mexico. UNM Los Alamos grants associate degrees and certificates in 23 fields of study. Additionally, students at...

College placeholder image

Nestled between the Rio Grande and Taos Pueblo, the University of New Mexico-Taos is a 2-year community college and a branch campus of the UNM system. UNM-Taos is home to over 30 associate degree and certificate-granting academic programs. In...

College placeholder image

Arizona State University at Skysong is an innovation center affiliated with ASU in Scottsdale. ASU Skysong combines academia with local industry by providing university programs to support entrepreneurs from area businesses. Skysong also facilitates...

College placeholder image

Northeast Lakeview College is a 2-year community college in the San Antonio metro area and a member of the Alamo Colleges system. NLC grants degrees and certificates in 48 academic fields of study. In addition, NLC makes six programs available...

College placeholder image

Clovis Community College is a 2-year community college in California’s Central Valley and part of the State Center Community College District. Clovis confers associate degrees in 33 academic fields of study and is home to 27 certificate-granting...

Concordia University-Montreal

Concordia University in Montreal is the best university in Canada under 50 years old, according to the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings, and among the largest, with 50,000 students. Montreal is the number one student city in North...

College placeholder image
School of Visual Arts