Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Artist/illustrator education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an artist/illustrator. Artist/illustrators usually study graphic design, fine arts, or animation. 74% of artist/illustrators hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 509 real artist/illustrator resumes to see exactly what artist/illustrator education sections show.
The most common colleges for artist/illustrators are the School of Visual Arts and the School of Visual Arts.
There are also many online artist/illustrator courses to help get the education required to be an artist/illustrator.
What education do you need to become an artist/illustrator?
What degree do you need to be an artist/illustrator?
- Bachelor's, 74%
- Associate, 15%
- Master's, 4%
- High School Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become an artist/illustrator?
- Graphic Design, 38%
- Fine Arts, 27%
- Animation, 7%
- Other Majors, 24%
Most common colleges for artist/illustrators
| Artist/illustrator common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| School of Visual Arts | 12.99% |
| The Art Institute of Pittsburgh | 10.39% |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | 7.79% |
| Syracuse University | 6.49% |
| Academy of Art University | 5.19% |
Best majors for artist/illustrators
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Graphic Design | 37.7% |
| 2 | Fine Arts | 27.2% |
| 3 | Animation | 6.9% |
| 4 | Design And Visual Communication | 3.9% |
| 5 | Business | 2.3% |
Best colleges for artist/illustrators
The best colleges for artist/illustrators are University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, and Northwestern University.
An artist/illustrator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for artist/illustrators. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become artist/illustrators.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
5. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
6. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
8. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
9. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
10. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
20 best online courses for artist/illustrators
Advertising disclosure
1. User Experience Design Immersive (Full-time)
Launch a future-proof career designing digital experiences that power revenue, user loyalty, and product success. Distinguish yourself as a designer by compiling a portfolio to showcase solo, group, and client projects to employers based on UI design and Agile methodologies...
2. User Experience Design (Part Time)
Translate user wants and needs into intuitive digital experiences that power revenue, loyalty, and product success. Build confidence and credibility to tackle complex design problems on the job. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...
3. UX Designer
Design impactful user experiences for products in today’s digital world. Build a portfolio that showcases your ability to transform user research to high-fidelity interactive designs...
4. Product Design
Learn the steps you need to turn an idea into reality. By the end of this course you’ll learn how to bring an idea from concept to hand off for development and onto creation of a prototype...
5. Graphic Design Mastery- AI, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign
Graphic Design for beginners including Graphic Design Theories, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, AI & Creative Thinking...
6. T-Shirt Design Workshop 02: Mixed Media Design
Create T-Shirt Designs using Photoshop, Illustrator, and hand-drawing techniques...
7. Visual Design (Part Time)
Gain the vocabulary and tools to tackle diverse design challenges on the job. Kickstart your portfolio and create beautiful, responsive designs for the web. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...
8. Intro to UX Design
Are you interested in UX Design, but have no prior experience or an idea of where to start? You’ve come to the right place! In this two-hour livestream, we’ll explore the decision-making process that separates a good user experience from a great one, and learn some tools that you can implement in your own UX process today. All in real time, taught by an industry professional. Come learn the basics and gain the skills you need to begin your UX Design journey!...
9. The Complete Drawing & Painting Illustration Course
Create professional illustrations with over 20 projects to learn from...
10. Adobe Illustrator CC: Essential Illustrator CC Training
Learn Graphic Design in Adobe Illustrator CC: Create Vector Graphics, Logo Design, Icon Design with 30+practice projects...
11. Adobe Illustrator for Mobile Game Art - A Beginners Guide
Create mobile game art in Adobe illustrator just by using basic concepts, essential tools and proven workflows...
12. Logo Design Mastery In Adobe Illustrator
Learn Logo Design Theory, The Creative Process, How to Work With Clients & Master Adobe Illustrator Tools...
13. Logo Design Masterclass: Learn Logo Design and Illustrator
Learn logo design by applying principles and techniques in Adobe Illustrator CC and Dimension CC. For beginners + more...
14. Illustrator CC: Design and drawing from scratch to expert!
The definitive guide to create stunning designs graphics, pictures and icons in Adobe Illustrator CC...
15. Graphic Design Masterclass - Learn GREAT Design
The Ultimate Graphic Design Course Which Covers Photoshop, Illustrator, In Design,Design Theory, Branding and Logo Design...
16. Adobe Illustrator CC - Essentials
Learn Adobe Illustrator CC - from zero to beyond - with this practical and easy to follow course!...
17. Learn to draw fashion with Adobe Illustrator CC - Beginners
Illustrator training specifically tailored for fashion designers...
18. How To Learn Illustrator by Designing Awesome Logos
Logo design in Illustrator. Fundamentals of logo design in Illustrator Logo design form scratch Logo design basics...
19. Graphic Design Bootcamp: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
Bestselling Beginner Course! Use Photoshop, Illustrator, & In Design for logo design, web design, poster design, and more...
20. Adobe Illustrator CC - Essentials Training Course
Learn Adobe Illustrator CC graphic design, logo design, and more with this in-depth, practical, easy-to-follow course!...
Top 10 most affordable universities for artist/illustrators
The most affordable schools for artist/illustrators are University of Florida, brooklyn college of the city university of new york, and fashion institute of technology.
If the best universities for artist/illustrators are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for artist/illustrators.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
3. Fashion Institute of Technology
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$5,740
Cost of attendance
17,864
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
6. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
7. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
8. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
9. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
10. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for artist/illustrators
The hardest universities for artist/illustrators to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for artist/illustrators are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for artist/illustrators based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
2. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
5. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
6. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
8. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
9. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
10. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for artist/illustrators
The easiest schools for artist/illustrators to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, mount saint mary's university, and wayland baptist university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an artist/illustrator without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for artist/illustrators.
1. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
2. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
3. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
4. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
5. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
6. Marymount University
Arlington, VA • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,065
7. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
8. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
9. Centenary University
Hackettstown, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
67%
SAT average
987
10. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
Average artist/illustrator salary by education level
| Artist/illustrator education level | Artist/illustrator salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $86,742 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $76,658 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $65,789 |
Artist/illustrator education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.
Search for artist/illustrator jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025