Post job

Artistic associate education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an artistic associate. Artistic associates usually study graphic design, theatre, or fine arts. 74% of artistic associates hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 190 real artistic associate resumes to see exactly what artistic associate education sections show.

The most common colleges for artistic associates are the The Art Institute of California - San Diego and the The Art Institute of California - San Diego.

There are also many online artistic associate courses to help get the education required to be an artistic associate.

What education do you need to become an artistic associate?

What degree do you need to be an artistic associate?

The most common degree for artistic associates is bachelor's degree, with 74% of artistic associates earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 12% and associate degree degree at 9%.
  • Bachelor's, 74%
  • Associate, 12%
  • Master's, 9%
  • High School Diploma, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 1%

What should I major in to become an artistic associate?

You should major in graphic design to become an artistic associate. 19% of artistic associates major in graphic design. Other common majors for an artistic associate include theatre and fine arts.

Most common colleges for artistic associates

Artistic associates often get their degrees at The Art Institute of California - San Diego, Miami University, and Columbia College Chicago. Here are the most common colleges for artistic associates in the US based on their resumes.
Artistic associate common collegePercentages
The Art Institute of California - San Diego9.52%
Miami University7.14%
Columbia College Chicago7.14%
Academy of Art University7.14%
Temple University7.14%

Best majors for artistic associates

RankMajorPercentages
1Graphic Design18.8%
2Theatre17.3%
3Fine Arts13.5%
4Music7.5%
5Communication6.8%

Best colleges for artistic associates

The best colleges for artistic associates are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

An artistic associate with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for artistic associates. 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 artistic associates.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

3. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

4. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

6. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

7. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

8. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

9. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

10. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

20 best online courses for artistic associates

Advertising disclosure

1. User Experience Design Immersive (Full-time)

general_assembly

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)

general_assembly

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

udacity

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

udacity

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. Pixel Art for Video Games

coursera

This course is aimed to give you the tools and knowledge you need to start creating simple art for video games made in the Unity game engine. Through the aesthetic of pixel art we will explore artistic principals like shape language, color theory, and composition as well as show you a step by step workflow for creating assets that you can use to make your own games. The course is broken into 4 main modules, props, environments, characters, and animation. Each of these courses will have a series...

6. Low Poly Art For Video Games

coursera

This course is aimed to give you the tools and knowledge you need to start creating simple 3D art for video games made in the Unity game engine. Through the aesthetic of pixel art we will explore artistic principals like shape language, color theory, and composition as well as show you a step by step workflow for creating assets that you can use to make your own games. The course is broken into 4 main modules, props, environments, characters, and animation. Each of these courses will have a...

7. Learn Professional 2D Game Asset Graphic Design in Photoshop

udemy
4.8
(1,890)

Become an exquisite game designer and start creating game art today!...

8. Learn the Hand-Painted texturing style for video games

udemy
4.6
(558)

How to texture weapons and assets for your game props in the classic hand-painted texturing style!...

9. Visual Design (Part Time)

general_assembly

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...

10. Intro to UX Design

general_assembly

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!...

11. Unreal Engine: Intro to Game Design

udemy
4.5
(840)

Like Fortnite? Master the tools used to build it as we build a simple shooting gallery game using the Unreal Engine!...

12. Unreal Engine 5 Megacourse: Create Games in UE5 & Blender

udemy
4.5
(434)

Learn how to develop games in Unreal Engine 5 and to create assets in Blender with this project-based course!...

13. Unreal Engine 5 Blueprints: Develop Your First Two Games

udemy
4.6
(321)

Create a 3D platformer and shooter using Unreal Engine 5 Blueprints. Become a game developer!...

14. Model and Texture a Stylized Dungeon for Games

udemy
4
(456)

Learn the skills to create amazing models and textures to build a stylized environment from start to finish!...

15. Realistic Character Modeling For Game In Maya and Zbrush

udemy
4.6
(1,451)

An In depth Course on Modeling and Sculpting Realistic Human Character for Beginners to Intermediate Level...

16. Learn the ART of Video Games

udemy
4.7
(781)

Learn to create game environments. Draw concept art, create 3D models, texture in Substance Painter and build in Unity...

17. Learn Professional 2D Game Graphic Design in Photoshop

udemy
4.5
(2,171)

Learn how you can create your own professional game graphics quickly in Photoshop!...

18. Graphic Design Mastery- AI, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign

udemy
4.4
(4,233)

Graphic Design for beginners including Graphic Design Theories, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, AI & Creative Thinking...

19. Unreal Engine: Character Skill System

udemy
4.3
(513)

Master the tools used to build Fortnite as we craft our very own character skill system using the Unreal Engine!...

20. Unlocking the Unreal Engine Material Editor

udemy
4.7
(806)

Learn how to combine textures, color data, and math to create your own custom AAA quality shaders...

Top 10 most affordable universities for artistic associates

The most affordable schools for artistic associates are University of Florida, brooklyn college of the city university of new york, and lehman college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for artistic associates 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 artistic associates.

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. Lehman College of the City University of New York

Bronx, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,210

Cost of attendance

14,359

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

6. Queens College of the City University of New York

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,338

Cost of attendance

14,281

7. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

8. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

9. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

10. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for artistic associates

The hardest universities for artistic associates to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

Some great schools for artistic associates 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 artistic associates 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. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

4. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

5. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

6. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

7. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

8. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

10. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for artistic associates

The easiest schools for artistic associates to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, wayland baptist university, and mount saint mary's university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an artistic associate 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 artistic associates.

1. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

2. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

3. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

4. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

5. Grand View University

Des Moines, IA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,060

6. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

7. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

8. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

9. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

10. Linfield College

McMinnville, OR • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,117

Average artistic associate salary by education level

According to our data, artistic associates with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $89,737 annually. Artistic associates with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $80,937.
Artistic associate education levelArtistic associate salary
Master's Degree$89,737
Bachelor's Degree$80,937
Some College/ Associate Degree$71,235

Artistic associate education FAQs

Search for artistic associate jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs