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Illustration Degree Overview

A degree in illustration provides individuals with the skills and education necessary to work commercially as an artist. Illustrators must have an understanding of art both in the practical and theoretical sense. A student studying illustration will be give instruction on how to capture form on paper, understanding color, working with various mediums including painting, and how to bring together a composition. Most programs will also provide courses on the commercial applications of illustration for various fields.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$52,290

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

29.12%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

210,710

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Illustration Degree

Formerly an exclusive men’s school, this private research university has transformed into a coeducational institution from its conception in 1898. Its 73-acre urban campus is located in the Fenway Cultural District at the heart of downtown Boston, Massachusetts. Apart from its main campus, the university has regional campus sites including one in North Carolina, Seattle, and Vancouver. It adapts the cooperative education program that integrates classroom study with professional experience. Equipped with a highly comprehensive study abroad program, the institute incorporates nine colleges with more than 90 majors and concentrations offered for undergraduate and graduate studies. Approximately, it has a student population of about 27,000 of which 78% are receiving financial aid or scholarship grants. 

The BFA in Illustration and Design offers a broad understanding and principles in communication or action through diverse graphical design fields. It’s a practice-based discipline with holistic visualization and approach with research, analysis, and technology. This four-year study program consists of at least 68 credit unit hours with offered concentration options in graphic and information design, interaction design, or experience design. An option to study abroad is also given to selective students in the University of Arts London, the world’s capital of art. 

Acceptance Rate

18.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

UMich is a public research university established in 1817 through the Catholic community of Michigan. Originally catered only 40 acres, the university has grown into more than 3000 acres excluding the arboretum at 20,000 acres. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the university includes more than 584 major academic, research, and residential buildings. Most often denoted as a ‘Public Ivy’, this research university is organized with 19 schools and colleges offering over 200 undergraduate majors, 90 master's programs, and 100 doctoral programs. It is ranked third among the best public universities in the USA with a total of 46,000 students admitted annually. Noted alumni include 26 Nobel Prize winners, 6 Turing Award winners, and 26 living billionaires. 

The Illustration BFA comprises interdisciplinary courses that culminate creativity and mastery of techniques and craftsmanship in arts. This 128 credit hour program consists of studio and non-studio courses with electives taken during the second year of study. Moreover, the university offers a BA in Art and Design for students who want to pursue educational graduate studies in arts and design. Likewise, the 128 credit hour curriculum with exclusive foundational and elective courses in arts or drawing. Students and graduates will have an opportunity to immerse themselves in international experience through study abroad programs, internships, art contests, or field trips. 

Acceptance Rate

22.91

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

This private art and design school was started in 1876 upon the visit of Helen Adela’s Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia.  After the exhibition, Metcalf established a coeducational design school located in Providence, Rhode Island. Its 13-acre urban campus is just located at the base of College Hill along with the Brown University campus. Nearly offering across 19 majors providing bachelor's and master's degrees. Having nearly 30,000 alumni, the RISD community includes 2009 undergraduate and 492 graduate students with a 26% acceptance rate upon its 2020 admission. This RISD has a teaching faculty consisting of 181 full-time and 421 part-time staff. 

The Bachelor of Fine Arts major in Illustration is a creative discipline including all the tools required in painting, photography, film, and graphic design. This four-year program engages in a solid understanding of contemporary themes and concepts with combined conceptual thinking and mastery of manual skills and techniques in arts. RISD’s largest major, the program consists of at least 300 undergraduate students taught by a roster of visiting artists and art directors. Its three-semester curriculum includes a distinct degree project that will be mounted for display in a public illustration exhibition.

Acceptance Rate

25.76

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Named after the first president of the USA, this private university started as Columbian College approved by President Monroe in 1821. Later on, it was changed in 1904 to raise honor on the late president. It's organized into 14 colleges and schools taught by more than 6,000 faculty members, administrators, and support staff. It has three fully functioning campuses in the Washington DC area with the 43 acres Foggy Bottom main campus, Mount Vernon Campus, and the over 100 acres Virginia Science and Technology Campus. GWU admits more than 27,000 students annually with a diverse population in over 130 countries.  Notable alumni from this university include 27 US senators, 18 US Cabinet members, five Nobel laureates, and two Olympic medalists. 

The BFA major in Illustration is a 120 credit hour program designed to focus on the aspects of art and design with courses geared to increase knowledge and skills on contemporary art. Courses on its curriculum include studies and experiential learning in ceramics, painting, drawing, and photography. Along with that, seminar training and a research study will be part of its coursework. Moreover, an option to opt for a dual degree course in BS Art History could be obtained upon the addition of 21 credit units. A combination of this program will expand every career opportunity that could be taken. Also, one will become aware of the art historical connections on different pieces projected. 

Acceptance Rate

40.84

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

This private research university was founded in 1831 as a seminary for Methodist Episcopal Church in New York. Converted into an independent college in 1870, the university until now still maintains a relationship with the church it formerly becomes closely affiliated with. It's primarily located in Syracuse, New York with an urban campus spanning 683 acres. Apart from that, it has two separate campuses in the downtown area and into the southern portion of the area. This university offers more than 200 majors to its thirteen undergraduate and graduate schools and colleges. Additionally, it consists of specialized and study abroad programs that are given to more than 40 countries around the world. It’s a renowned research institution with notable collaborations with CERN and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. 

The Bachelor of Fine Arts major in Illustration covers digital, traditional, and alternate media to develop unique artistic quality for gaining familiarity with illustration history and the contemporary field. Its courses focus on four specialties including visual development, editorial, sequential, and product. The 122 credit hour program consists of a series of studio courses embarking on individual research projects in specialized areas of illustration. Students could also participate in workshops, lectures, and seminars with two-week immersion in industry animation with film, advertising, comic books, or editorial illustration. Potential careers could be geared as a graphic designer, video game developer, print illustrator, and creative director. 

Acceptance Rate

44.38

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Founded in 1944, this public college is part of the University of New York System (SUNY) mainly focusing on art, business, and design concerning the fashion industry. Located in the metropolitan area of Midtown South Manhattan, New York City, this college consists of nine-buildings with classrooms, painting rooms, life-sketching rooms, a graphics laboratory, and television and studio labs. It was organized into two schools with about 27 major programs leading to AAS, BFA, and BS degrees. Apart from that, it offers seven graduate programs leading to master's studies. An accredited institution by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, it serves over 7000 full-time and 2000 part-time students. Notable alumni who attended this school include Norma Kamali, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, and Scott Salvator. 

Under the School of Arts and Design, the major in Illustration provides strategies, knowledge, and techniques for making traditional or technological-based art pieces. The study comprises mastery in a wide range of media including tools, and a nine-credit course on computer software for complete expertise. Also, the curriculum involves courses on business and management designed to prepare students for a career in a range of industries, from advertising, media, and retailing. 

Acceptance Rate

53.89

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Founded in 1848 by Sarah Worthington, this private college was the first women’s art school in the United States. Originally named as Philadelphia School of Design for Women, the institution was rebranded in 1932 after the endowment of Joseph Moore Jr. Today, the college is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania offering ten undergraduate majors, twelve minors, one post-baccalaureate program, and three graduate programs for continuing education. Its undergraduate programs are strictly for women’s enrollment with a student population of 500. Renowned graduates from this institution include different sculptors, painters, Pulitzer winners, Sharon Wohlmut, fashion designers, and children’s illustrators or authors. 

The four-year major program in Illustration prepares students in a highly diverse practical environment in the art and media industry. Its curriculum is combined with the traditional and digital technology centering on mastery of skills and techniques in graphic arts. Its core curriculum includes liberal art electives, studio courses, and technical workshops to enhance abilities in drawing or sketching. It also includes an in-depth internship accomplished during the last year of study. Potential employment and internship opportunities include Monroe Designs, Dynamite Entertainment, Penguin Group, and Bust Magazine. 

Acceptance Rate

46.99

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

This private college is an arts education school located in Detroit, Michigan, USA. It was founded in 1906 renowned for its worldwide success in providing a high-quality art education focusing on conceptual thinking, creative problem solving, and visual communication. Accredited by Michigan Education Department and other prestigious associations, the college offers 13 majors of Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a master of fine arts degree. It's an excellent college with more than 460 companies participating in its employment recruitment. Notable alumni from this college include entrepreneurs, modern automobile and furniture designers and artists, sculptors, and photographers. 

The online degree in Illustration occupies study in traditional and digital art space with dynamic medium possibilities to solve problems, convey ideas, and express one’s views. It’s a well-rounded program focusing on the fundamentals of image-making and visual storytelling with outputs in photography, brand imaging, advertising, gaming, and journalism. It includes an internship program with possible companies to consider such as Cartoon Network, Mattel Inc, Disney Consumer Products, The Rockhouse, and Kitchen Direct.

Acceptance Rate

43.78

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

This private university was founded by the American tycoon Charles Pratt in 1887. As he never had gotten a formal college education, the businessman established an institution wanting it available to all social classes. Located in the urban area of Brooklyn, New York, the university spans 25 acres with two accessible public entrances of which are heavily guarded by the security team. Apart from its main campus, the university has a satellite campus in Manhattan and an extension campus in Utica, New York. Organized into six schools, the university offers over 22 undergraduate majors and 25 graduate majors. It’s a highly accredited institution by the New York State Department of Education with student admission of about 3,500 undergraduates and 1,300 graduates who came from 78 countries and 48 states. 

Under the School of Arts, the undergraduate degree in Illustration consists of in-depth conceptual development and mastery of the practice of arts. Students may choose an area of emphasis for their field of practice which includes drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, integrated practices, and jewelry. The program is structured with 16 to 22 major credit units, core courses in Art History and Liberal Arts, and elective courses that include traditional art media such as charcoal drawing, bronze casting, and etching. All fine arts majors are required to partake in an internship and a thesis during their final years of study. 

Acceptance Rate

55.5

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

MICA is a private art and design institution established in the early 1840s through few rich and influential citizens of Baltimore, Maryland. It’s a 1.5-mile campus featuring historic architectural infrastructures with academic, residential, and recreational facilities offered for its attending students. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the college offers more than ten undergraduate and graduate degrees of which could be provided online or on-campus for maximum flexibility. It admits about 2,000 students with an acceptance rate of approximately 60%. After graduation, almost 80% of the alumni took a job placement in a related industry while the remaining 20% pursued graduate studies in the same college. 

The major in Illustration focuses on traditional and modern forms of arts fostering technical and entrepreneurial thinking to imaginatively solve problems and embrace proficiency. The four-year curriculum consists of a minimum of 120 credit hour units featured with specialized study including studio concentrations in book arts, animation, graphic design, and printmaking. For those seeking for master's or prompting to take liberal arts as a minor course, an additional six credits should be added to the existing credit units mentioned. Consequently, the last two semesters include portfolio building work with the application of research, entrepreneurship, artistic capability, and management skills to finish it successfully. 

Acceptance Rate

63.89

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

This private research university was founded in 1919 by some progressive and liberal intellectuals in New York. It seeks to start an educational system that’s free of understanding to the knowledge of art and sciences without being biased. It is primarily located in the metropolitan area of New York just about a few miles from Union Square. Prominently, the university’s main campus includes a 16 story building of which had gained controversies upon its conception in 2004. The university offers over 80 degree and diploma leading programs and majors organized into five academic divisions. Having a student-to-teacher ratio of 9:1, the student population is about 10,000 with academic faculty at 2,000. Notable alumni from this university include prominent people in the fashion industry such as Alexander Wang, Marc Jacobs, Gigi Hadid, and Donna Karan. 

The BFA Illustration program seeks to develop every student’s visual skills through learning to translate ideas to images for picture books, graphic novels, and advertising illustrations. This 120 credit hour curriculum explores various art and design concepts using strategies and theories that will be able to increase or enhance knowledge and skills. It pursues elective and internship programs with flexible courses essential for research writing, management, and entrepreneurship. 

Acceptance Rate

57.34

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

BYU is a private university established in 1862 through a man named Warren Dusenberry. Facing a closure, the school was sold to the president of the LDS church named Brigham Young who envisioned the institution as a church university. Currently, its main campus is located in Provo, Utah sitting approximately in a suburban 560-acre land with 295 buildings including a 19,000 seating capacity basketball arena and a campus-owned chapel of which LDS services are held. Apart from that, it has satellite campuses situated in Jerusalem and Salt Lake City. It offers about 179 undergraduate majors, 62 masters, and 26 doctoral degree programs. Being a religious university, it strictly follows an honor code prohibiting students' consumption of illegal drugs, tobacco, and alcohol. 

Part of the Department of Design, the BYU Illustration degree will prepare students for future careers as professional illustrators. The 72 credit hour curriculum is a limited enrollment program incorporating medium, skill and concept mastery, and entrepreneurship knowledge. It was completed with an internship and research work to develop practical work with application into careers in major animation studios, design firms, or freelance work. Potential employers after graduation include Pixar, Disney, and many more. 

Acceptance Rate

67.49

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

This private institution started as a branch of the Southern College in 1931. After its separation from the college, it became an independent art and design school in 1933. It officially gained school accreditation in 1984. Spanning at 48 acres, the urban college is located in Sarasota, Florida. It offers 13 undergraduate art majors and degrees and pre-college classes both provided through online and on-campus platforms. RCAD admits about 1,500 students with over 180 academic staff which includes teaching and non-teaching personnel. Known graduates from this small college comprise some contemporary painters, comic book writers, and television personalities. 

The General curriculum in Illustration at Ringling College is part of the Fine Arts program employed in this college. It incorporates modern technological advantages in 2D and 3D programs with learning fundamentals in color theory, composition, and anatomy. Studies consist of traditional and digital media with an internship opportunity to a reputable agency or digital studio. Moreover, this four-year program includes a visual development emphasis focusing on entertainment spectrum industries such as gaming, comics, and graphic novels, films, and television. Graduates of this program find illustration work in companies and agencies including American Greetings, Apple, Walt Disney, Cartoon Network, EA Games, and Google. 

Acceptance Rate

63.86

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Founded by an artist named Nossi Vatandoost, this private institution started as a fine arts school in 1973 with few courses in Madison, Tennessee. It gained accreditation in 1991 and expanded in 1991 offering college programs to its students. Currently, it’s relocated to Nashville sitting on a 10-acre hillside with a 55,000 square foot facility overlooking the downtown area. It offers five bachelor's degrees and few certificate programs including photography, commercial illustration, and graphic design media. It boasts a 2400 square feet instructional photography laboratory which is one of the largest in the country. It admits about 300 undergraduate students with a fairly competitive acceptance rate of 50%. 

The four-year program in Bachelor of Graphic Arts in Commercial Illustration is a 136 credit hour curriculum designed to master visual creativity in conceptual ideas. Its curriculum explores basic art theories, history, and pursues versatile art media including technological advancement for use in modern graphics for cinema and books. It also includes general courses in psychology, human resources, and literature to help students understand and appreciate art and develop effective human communication. Career outlooks in various industries most especially in television, films, books, and advertising is most coveted for this program. 

Acceptance Rate

50.22

Student to Faculty Ratio

8:1

Formerly known as the Prairieville Academy, this private liberal arts college was chartered through the efforts of Charles Carroll to which the school was named. It is primarily located in Waukesha, Wisconsin stretching about 132 acres constituting the main campus at 50 acres and four-acre graduate studies center. It currently offers more than 95 areas of study including masters and certificate programs. Affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, the university is the first four-year higher education learning in the Wisconsin area. It admits more than 2600 full-time undergraduate and 260 part-time graduate students. Notable alumni from this university include prominent personalities including athletes, politicians, and businessmen around the area. 

Under the College of Arts and Sciences, Carroll University’s Arts program helps students develop an imaginative process of ideas and work that will move into a practical and creative direction. It’s a general art course with versatile in-depth paths to different fields including teaching, museum, gallery work, design, graduate school, or studio works. It has only a single emphasis in Fine Arts that includes courses on preparing an art portfolio,  a professional art website, and a senior exhibition gallery. Moreover, it includes an internship with any arts center and museum throughout the country. A minor in arts is also available for those students opting to pursue it as a minor degree. 

Acceptance Rate

67.36

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

School of Visual Arts has been a leader in the education of artists, designers and creative professionals for more than seven decades. With a faculty of distinguished working professionals, a dynamic curriculum and an emphasis on critical thinking, SVA is a catalyst for innovation and social responsibility. Comprising 6,000 students at its Manhattan campus and 39,000 alumni in 128 countries, SVA also represents one of the most influential artistic communities in the world. For more information about the College’s 31 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and Continuing Education division, visit sva.edu. All programs:

Undergraduate Programs - 11 BFAs

  • BFA Advertising
  • BFA Animation
  • BFA Cartooning
  • BFA Computer Art, Computer Animation and Visual Effects
  • BFA Design
  • BFA Film
  • BFA Fine Arts
  • BFA Illustration
  • BFA Interior Design
  • BFA Photography and Video
  • BFA Visual & Critical Studies

Graduate Programs - 20 master’s degrees

  • MAT Art Education
  • MFA Art Practice
  • MPS Art Therapy
  • MPS Branding
  • MFA Computer Arts
  • MA Curatorial Practice
  • MFA Design
  • MFA Design for Social Innovation
  • MA Design Research, Writing and Criticism
  • MPS Digital Photography
  • MPS Directing
  • MPS Fashion Photography
  • MFA Fine Arts
  • MFA Illustration as Visual Essay
  • MFA Interaction Design
  • MFA Photography, Video and Related Media
  • MFA Products of Design
  • MFA Social Documentary Film
  • MFA Visual Narrative
The School of Visual Arts (SVA) been authorized by the New York State Board of Regents (www.highered.nysed.gov) to confer the degrees of Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Fine Arts, and Master of Professional Studies. Specific programs in which these degrees are offered, and data required by the U.S. Department of Education on "Gainful Employment" for each program, may be found on sva.edu. SVA is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (msche.org), and is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (nasad.arts-accredit.org). The Interior Design program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (accredit-id.org); the Art Therapy program is approved by the American Art Therapy Association, Inc.; and the Art Education program is accredited by the New York State Regents Accreditation of Teacher Education (RATE).

Acceptance Rate

72

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

This private university started as a female seminary in 1853. Currently affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, the university is located in Glenside, Pennsylvania spanning 76 acres of land area. Moreover, it has a medical campus situated in Christiana, Delaware.  It's organized into five colleges and schools offering more than 80 fields of study. Moreover, it includes graduate and certificate programs usually incorporated with workshops and training. One of the best schools with study abroad programs, the university serves more than 300 institutions around the world and operates in Chile, Australia, New Zealand, and many more. Having a student population of approximately 4000, the university includes over 60 active governing, academic, and religious clubs and organizations. 

The BFA Illustration program is an accredited curriculum by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) offering a comprehensive experience on art with exciting opportunities in the real-world including internships and apprenticeships mostly abroad. It consists of 14 different art concentrations including illustration, graphic design, painting, and photography. Consequently, it provides a wide range of academic and studio courses with annual field trips to different museums and internships to several businesses and organizations. Apart from that, students who graduated from this program could earn a certification in Art Education allowing them to take professional teaching experience on technical and skilled arts. 

Acceptance Rate

65.67

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Founded in 1930, this private college started with few classes in photography through Fred Archer as its first instructor. A highly accredited art center school, it stands on a 165-acre campus located in Pasadena, California. It has two existing campuses in the Pasadena area, the Hillside and South campuses of which include studio and exhibition labs with residential houses and classrooms. It currently offers 11 undergraduate and several master's degrees to choose from. Also, the college has vocational or certificate courses for students opting to study for a short period. Ranked as one of the best art and design schools in the USA, it admits about 1700 undergraduate and graduate students annually. 

The Illustration major curriculum uniquely transforms ideas into images through the creative imagination of the students. Its core studies equip students with practical skills in foundational art including painting and drawing. It centers into five specializations of which students are required to choose from namely a few includes Entertainment Arts, Illustration Design, and Fine Arts. Admission to this program requires a drawing or painting portfolio highlighting skills in illustration and a video or audio essay to introduce yourself and the portfolio you’ve submitted. 

Acceptance Rate

70.84

Student to Faculty Ratio

8:1

This private university has a co-educational curriculum with origins upon the affiliation of Lutheran Church. It started in 1881 in a basement of a local Lutheran Church with only 13 students. Through the years, the school-owned not just basic education programs but also undergraduate courses for students to attend. Organized into five schools or colleges, the university offers 70 undergraduate majors, 22 master's degree programs, and several doctoral degrees. Its campus spreads at about 200-acre land situated in a suburban setting of Mequon, Wisconsin. The largest student enrollment in any Lutheran university in the USA, it has a population of about 7,700. 

Under the Department of Art, the Bachelor of Arts in Illustration will help students develop unique art and design styles with use to any physical or digital medium. This 126 credit hour curriculum consists of 18 credits to learn technical concepts and skills and a 45 credit Liberal Arts core to introduce concepts in art and history. In partnership with the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD), this program is equipped with hands-on training and experiential learning including internships and field trips. Furthermore, it's recommended to own a Mac laptop as part of its requirements upon enrollment. After graduation, potential careers in the graphic and multimedia industry could be sought after. 

Acceptance Rate

64.13

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

This private Christian university was named after the founder of the institution. John Brown, an evangelical Christian envisions an affordable education centering on Christian moral values. Founded in 1919, the university started as a vocational school until its expansion in the late 1930s. Currently, it offers more than 41 undergraduate majors and 16 graduate studies degrees mostly liberal art-focused programs. Its 200-acre campus stands in the rural town of Siloam Springs, Arkansas with a cathedral, academic, and residential buildings for student’s use. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the university admits more than 2600 students annually. 

The four-year Major in Illustration exemplifies technical skills and versatility in art-related activities including various fields related to visual art. Its unique program features three art buildings with studio labs, a theater, a printmaking workshop, a woodshop, and MAC labs. Its minimum 120 credit hour curriculum demonstrates creative and innovative ability with two available concentrations in fine arts and illustration. It features a gallery display every year of which few students will have an opportunity to showcase their portfolio. It also includes summer studies trips to various international locations mostly in European destinations. 

Acceptance Rate

75.77

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

This private college started in 1885 upon the establishment of “The Sketch Club” by a few art enthusiasts in Kansas City. It officially started offering several programs in 1927 upon the purchase of a building and later on, expanded to 15 acres. An accredited member of multiple art organizations and governing bodies, KCAI offers a lot of comprehensive liberal arts degrees with majors including animation, filmmaking, and graphic design. Also, its collaborative program with Reigner Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation allows students to learn design and art entrepreneurship. KCAI has approximately 75 faculty members and more than 700 students. Notable alumni from this school include painters, sculptors,  film workers, and businessmen. 

The Illustration degree explores digital and traditional media through developing technical and aesthetic skills in art and illustration. Named as one of the top illustration programs in the country by the US Career Animation Review, its teaching faculty is proficiently experienced in the subject matter. Its 126 credit hours program consists of liberal arts, electives, and core courses for full application and flexibility of learning the program. Available internship and job opportunities for this program include magazine and book illustrations,  web design, digital animation, fashion illustration, and computer gaming. Before entry, each student must own a personal laptop with installed software applications including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and many more. 

Acceptance Rate

56.55

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

This private research university is the tenth largest private institution with the highest student population. It's founded in 1881 by Colonel Nathaniel Rochester and its associates offering only practical training to its students. Located in the suburban area of Henrietta, New York, its 1300 acre campus comprises 237 buildings and greeneries including a large swamp and woodland. It is organized into nine constituent schools and colleges offering 2,483 bachelor's degrees, 912 master's degrees, 10 doctorates, and 523 certificates and diplomas. The institution is mostly known for its leading deaf education with more than 1000 students attending the program. Notable alumni who’ve graduated from this university include 13 Pulitzer prize winners, CEOs of various companies such as LG, Associated Press, and Eastman Kodak Company, politicians, and various artists and journalists.  

The BFA Illustration degree prepares students for a variety of careers in the visual communication field. Its curriculum is incorporated with a combination of traditional drawing skills, the latest digital imaging technologies, and sculpted dimensional methods to promote a highly versatile creative development to its students. The 120 credit hours minimum coursework comprises liberal art courses, electives, and illustration courses to improve self-awareness and its conceptual knowledge. The program also has an immersion course and a portfolio requirement that should be accomplished upon attending the last semester of the program. Job opportunities after graduation are sought in various industries including performing and fine arts, journalism and publishing, advertising and marketing, and public relations. 

Acceptance Rate

70.73

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

This private college of art and design was established in 1869 upon integration as a department at the University of Cincinnati. In 1998, it became an independent college and broke its ties with the university. It currently offers eight undergraduate programs, an associate degree, and a master’s degree program. It consequently is located in Cincinnati, Ohio with more than 200 undergraduate students and 20 post-graduate students. Its studio spaces received a LEED Green Building certificate denoting energy and environmental sustainability. Along with the academy, it also runs a museum featuring three public art galleries yearly to create an opportunity for amateur and experienced talents to showcase their artworks. 

The BFA Illustration degree is a four-year undergraduate program that integrates various visual approaches including drawing, printmaking, photography, and art motion graphics to its communication and creativity. Its 120 credit hour curriculum includes liberal art courses, senior theses, and a professional internship to fully equipped students in the practice of real-world illustration work. Students encounter wide-ranging personal and professional experiences embodying self-expression towards gratifying careers in illustration. Career prospects for this program include contemporary illustration jobs such as animation, game and app designing, packaging design, and photography. 

Acceptance Rate

26.51

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

This public university was established in 1826 as Fredonia Academy with only eight students on its enrollment. It’s the second oldest institution in the USA offering over 80 majors and 50 minors on its undergraduate programs. Located in Fredonia, New York at the Chautauqua County, this institution is the westernmost member of the State University of New York system with a highly modernized campus exceptionally master-planned to fit into the 256-acre campus. It's organized into three colleges and two schools admitting about 4600 students including those studying undergraduate and graduate degrees. Notable alumni include prominent people in the field of business, entertainment, music, and politics. 

Under the Department of Visual Arts and New Media, the Animation and Illustration major is a four-year program focusing on drawing skills, mixed media processes, and critical thinking. The curriculum includes intensive hands-on training and lectures with 17 Mac Pros and 17 iMacs used on its visual studio labs. Fully accredited program by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD),  this 120 credit hour curriculum includes basic foundations in drawing, electives, core specializations either animation or illustration and internships. Admission process submission of a 700-word essay providing a background in visual arts and a portfolio consisting of 10 to 20 images demonstrate your best work at variety media. 

Acceptance Rate

71.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

This private university was established by the Sisters of Loretto in 1915. An exclusive women’s college back then, it began to admit male students upon changing its name to Webster College. Situated in Webster Groves, Missouri in the suburbs of St. Louis, it has a 47-acre campus with domestic and international campuses located in several European countries including Switzerland, Austria, Thailand, and China. The student population that’s enrolled is at 10,000 with students coming from 49 US states and over 122 countries.  Notable alumni include Academy Award winner, Tony Award winner, a Pulitzer Prize recipient, an Indonesian president, and CEOs of various businesses. 

The BFA in Art with an emphasis in Illustration includes a comprehensive examination of history and theories of virtual studies. Modern approaches in this study are suited for technical, editorial, or narrative illustration.  Its 78 credit hour curriculum comprises core, studio, and BFA-specific courses including senior theses and professional practice programs in the last year of the course. It's expected that at the end of the program successful graduates should be able to assemble a professional portfolio for graduate school or employers and apply skills and imagination through practicing visual areas of art or illustration.  

Acceptance Rate

56.88

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

What is the Difference Between an Illustrator and Graphic Designer?

While both an illustrator and graphic designer perform design work, their professions are different given the areas of specialty of each. For example, an illustrator will perform an array of duties for a commercial agency such as a magazine publisher, advertising agency, product manufacturer, or comic book publisher.

Duties of an illustrator include the drawing, development, and integration of visual elements to meet customer expectations. A graphic designer, on the other hand, will perform design work specific to elements and structures with concentrations in web development, product design, or publication design.

Top Illustration Degrees

If you are considering a future as an illustrator, it is important to take the time to collect information about degrees available in the field of study.  Illustrators can choose from an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree from a number of accredited colleges and universities.  Program requirements will vary from school to school but will tend to share the same core components of illustration principles.

Associate Degree in Illustration

An associate degree in illustration is a 2-year program conferred as an Associate of Arts (AA) or an Associate of Fine Arts (AFA).  The two-year program will provide a mixture of core studio courses along with liberal arts education elements such as critical reasoning, English composition, history, communications, math, and psychology to provide a well-balanced education for students.

Core classes will provide students fundamental skills in areas of illustration such as drawing, art history, art, painting, sculpting, visual computing, history of illustration, and visual storytelling.  Graduating from an accredited college or university with an AA in illustration will help students begin their journey in the field of study in a number of entry-level positions from an editorial illustrator to fashion illustrator.

Bachelor Degree in Illustration

A bachelor’s degree in illustration will be conferred as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) depending on the school’s curricular design and program emphasis.  The bachelor degree is a 4-year program for full-time students and will take part-time students longer to complete the degree program depending on course load and pace.

Students in a BA or BFA program will take a number of general education courses in classes as anatomy, history, literature, creative writing, and sociology in addition to core curriculum.  The core classes in a bachelor’s degree program will typically include the following: digital coloring, hand lettering, etching, monoprint, advanced perspective, drawing with ink, watercolor techniques, figurative sculpture, modern illumination, collage illustration, digital painting, photocopy zines, low-tech illustration, storyboarding, artistic anatomy, character illustration, animal drawing, and computer imaging.

Students graduating with a BFA or BA in illustration will be equipped with requisite conceptual, communication, and technical design chops to make an impact in a wide variety of organizations.  Students will hone their craft by creating salient, effective content for various digital and print applications leveraging rich imagery for a company’s product, story, brand, or service.

Master Degree in Illustration

The master’s degree in illustration is typically a 2-3 year program for full-time students that that focuses on enhancing technical, conceptual, and research skills in the field.  The master’s degree is conferred as a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) or Master of Arts (MA) at accredited colleges and universities.

Core programs in the master’s degree track include upper-level classes such as: drawing critique, creative drawing, computer illustration, creative writing, painting, studio workshops, digital books, and storytelling.  During the second year of the master’s degree program, students will begin to work on their thesis project in illustration and continue the evolution of the thesis project through completion.

Graduate programs in illustration are for professionals in the field or qualifying students with work experience that are looking to advance in their field of study, upskill, remain relevant, or prepare for an upcoming job transition.

Employment Opportunities for Illustrators

A degree in illustration provides graduated with far more options to find gainful employment in the field as degree programs involve multiple mediums and a more in depth understanding of art. Often, if all else is equal, employers will choose a degree holder for employment due to their experience and discipline throughout their career in art school.

Additionally, degree holders tend to show more refinement in their work and have a broader base from which to draw experience from when working, thus require less training to accomplish tasks.

An illustrator who invests the time and energy to learn computer programs for illustration and animation tend to have more employment opportunities than those without these vital skills. The adoption of digital media by most studios, private firms, and others means that the more technically savvy the artist, the more likely he or she is to find work.

Job opportunities for an illustration major include the following:

  • Illustrator
  • Graphic Designer
  • Animator
  • Storyboard Artist
  • Pre-Visualization Specialist

Due to the nature of illustration there is no average wage available from the BLS. The varying nature of the work and the abilities of the artist often dictate one's wage. Data gathered by Glassdoor indicates a median wage for illustrators to be just over $53,000 per year. Further, salaried illustrators average approximately $42,000 per year, where as art directors tend to average $90,000 per year. Students interested in illustration may also be interested in art history, commercial art, fine art, graphic design, advertising, and animation.

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