15 Art Schools in New York | Fees & Details

Did you know that lots of art schools in New York are ranked among the top 20 art schools in the United States, in fact, some are even ranked as the best art school in the world.

This doesn’t come as a surprise because New York has always embraced art right from birth, they love it, they preach it and they act it. That’s why their public library has the largest accessible collection related to the history of art.

Also, Wikipedia Noted that “the Big Apple,” as they are popularly known, is a global center for the international art market, and is known as the cultural capital of the World. Largely because many cultural movements started in this state, their fashion week is one of the best in the world, and the city government funds their art with lots of city government funds.

So, studying in one of these art schools in New York could be your life-changing choice, New York is also known to house some of the best Medical schools. In addition, there are Community Colleges in New York, where their tuition is moderately low, or you can even choose to study in one of their online colleges, where you can study from anywhere you are.

NYC is a place full of life, that is why it is mostly called “City That Never Sleeps,” and it is known as the richest city in the world. Maybe because it is accommodating around 500,000 of the world’s millionaires and billionaires.

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Before we dive into these art schools in New York, let’s see what it will cost you to learn in one of these colleges.

Average Cost of Going to Art School in New York

You should know that some factors are considered while assigning costs to students, such as; in-state, out-of-state, international, program, program length, and kind of school (public or private). An in-state student will always pay the least fee, whereas an international student will always pay the highest.

  • Undergraduate Average Tuition
    • NY Resident Public institution: $5,930
    • Non-NY Resident Public institution:$9,490
    • NY Resident Private Institution: $26,444
    • Non-NY Resident Private Institution: $45,424
  • Graduate Average Tuition
    • NY Resident Public institution: $11,090
    • Non-NY Resident Public institution: $25,650
    •  Private Institution: $33,440

Requirements for Art Schools in New York

For you to study in one of these art schools in New York, you need to meet certain entry requirements, we will list general requirements you might see. But, each school might demand more entry requirements or less. 

Here are the entry requirements for Bachelor’s Degree;

  • Submission of Application Letter
  • Might require a non-refundable application fee
  • Submission of statement of purpose
  • Submission of personal essay
  • Submission of Portfolio
  • Submission of letter of recommendation
  • Submission of official transcripts
  • Submission of standardized test scores, that is, SAT or ACT scores.
  • Submission of English Language Proficiency Test Results for students whose first language is not English

To further your master’s degree in one of these art schools in New York you will need;

  • Completion of Bachelor’s Degree
  • Transcript of your baccalaureate degree and other master’s degrees you must have done.
  • All materials must be submitted directly not through any third party
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Might require a non-refundable application fee

art schools in New York

Art Schools in New York

1. Alfred University

Alfred University is not well known for lots of things in New York and the United States, but there is one area they have come out to be the best in, and it’s the area of art. They are named the 10th best School to Study fine art and the 1st Best School to learn Ceramics by U.S. News and World Report.

There is nothing as interesting as finding an area you’re good at and being perfect in that area, Alfred University does it best by giving you the space to thrive on your true artistry calling. You’re allowed to activate and master your creativity without any constraint, you are also surrounded by an environment that encourages creativity.

There are museums to explore, and galleries to see some amazing works created by present and past alumni. And, if you love ceramics, then you have met the god of ceramics creativity because they are the best in it.

Alfred University is one of the few art schools in New York that allows you to grab your bachelor’s degree in art and master’s degree within 5 years. They have 7 art Undergraduate programs which are;

  • Art
  • Art – Ceramic Art
  • Art – Drawing, Painting & Photography
  • Art – Expanded Media
  • Art – Sculpture/Dimensional Studies
  • Art History & Theory
  • Education – Art

And 4 art graduate programs, which are;

  • Ceramic Art
  • Electronic Integrated Arts
  • Alfred-Düsseldorf Painting
  • Sculpture-Dimensional Studies

Their tuition varies based on resident and degree choice, for

  • Undergraduate
    • NY Resident: $21,248
    • Non-NY resident: $36,444
  • Graduate: $23,400

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2. Bard College

Bard College is one of the art schools in New York that is ranked as the best art school in the United States. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranked them together with Alfred University and Columbia University as the 10th best Art School in the United States.

Not just that, they also came out to be the 5th Best Painting and Drawing School in the U.S, the 9th Best Photography School in the U.S, the 8th Best Sculpture School in the U.S, and many more.

Their division of the Arts offers amazing majors on;

  • Architecture
  • Art history and visual culture
  • Dance
  • Film and electronic arts
  • Music
  • Photography
  • Studio arts
  • Theater and performance

Undergraduates pay a little bit higher at Bard college, the average annual tuition here is $59,800.

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3. Columbia University

Columbia University is known for so many reputable accolades, including being the 22nd best university in the World, and the 2nd best university in the United States by QS World University Rankings and U.S. News and World Report respectively. They are also one of the art schools in New York that is ranked the 10th best in Fine Arts, 4th best in Painting and Drawing, and 9th best in Sculpture all by U.S. News and World Report.

Columbia University has lots of students that, through their studies have found their passion and have become world stars, some have even gone ahead to win amazing awards in their specific fields. They offer amazing art programs that help you to master your creativity, such as;

  • Visual arts
  • Dance
  • Architecture
  • Theater
  • Art initiative
  • Art History
  • Film
  • Literary arts
  • Music

Columbia University Undergraduate students will need to pay an annual average fee of $47,136 whereas their graduates will pay an annual average tuition fee of $33,440.

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4. The New School – Parsons School of Design

This is one of the art schools in New York that is also known for its fine arts and ranked the #1 top Art and Design School in 2022 by QS World University Rankings.

They are also the 15th best Fine Art College in the United States to the U.S. News and World Report. 

The New School is in the business of designing a better world, and they do it by providing lots of amazing disciplines that you can focus on, become a master, and start designing your own world. Another exciting thing about their art programs is you can offer them both on-campus and online, so if you don’t have the time to come on-campus, you can still offer these classes from anywhere.

You will still get the same quality, the same well-trained lecturers they teach on-campus, nothing changes, except the means of education. They have lots of programs such as;

  • Architectural Design (BFA)
  • Communication Design (BFA)
  • Design and Technology (BFA)
  • Design History & Practice (BFA)
  • Fashion Design (BFA)
  • Fine Arts (BFA)
  • Illustration (BFA)
  • Integrated Design (BFA)
  • Interior Design (BFA)
  • Photography (BFA)
  • Product Design

And many more.

Parson School of Design’s average tuition fee for undergrad is $25,950 whereas their graduate will need to pay an average tuition of $27,540.

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5. Pratt Institute

Pratt Institute is also one of the art schools in New York that is ranked the 15th Best Fine Art College and 11th Best Painting and Drawing College in the United States by U.S. News and World Report. They are also ranked as the 6th best Design school in the World by Business Insider.

Pratt Institute has one of the well-organized faculties and amazing studio resources. Students from the United States and all over the world come to the school to focus on different disciplines including in arts fields such as;

  • Art and Design Education
  • Digital Arts and Animation
  • Film and Video
  • Fine Arts
  • Photography

And many more.

Pratt Institute’s average tuition for undergraduates is $55,575 annually.

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6. CUNY – Hunter College

Hunter College is one of the art schools in New York known for its excellence in fine arts programs. That’s why the U.S. News and World Report ranked them the 23rd best Fine Arts School, and the 9th best painting, drawing, and Sculpture school in the United States.

They offer a handful of art programs for both majors and non-majors, undergraduate and graduate students.

  • The arts
  • Drawing 
  • Painting
  • Photography
  • Sculpture
  • Printmaking

Students are allowed to acquire either their 24 or 42-credit hour BA or their 61 credits BFA.

Hunter College Undergraduate students will need to pay

  • NY Resident: $6,930 per year
  • Out of State Resident: $18,600 per year

Whereas for graduates;

  • Full-time NY Resident: $11,090 per year
  • Full-time Out of state resident: $25,650 per year
  • Part-time NY Resident: $470 per credit
  • Part-time Out of state Resident: $855 per credit

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7. Rochester Institute of Technology

This is one of the art schools in New York that is ranked the 23rd Best Fine Arts School, and 6th Best Photography School in the United States by U.S. News and World Report. 11 of their College of Art Students have gone ahead to win 15 Pulitzer Prizes, while 92% of their college of Art graduates are employed within 6 months after graduation.

They offer different art programs such as;

  • School for American Crafts
  • Art School
  • Design School
  • Film and Animation
  • Photography

If you want to acquire an undergraduate degree, you are required to pay an average annual fee of $53,720, but if you want to acquire a graduate degree in Art, you’ll need to pay an average annual fee of $54,176.

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8. School of Visual Arts – NYC

School of Visual Arts is one of the art schools in New York that came up to be prolific in so many art programs. They are recognized as the 23rd Best Fine Arts School and the 12th Best Drawing and Painting School in the United States by U.S. News and World Report.

They offer lots of Master of Fine Arts, Master of Arts, a combination of Master of Arts and Master of Arts in Teaching, and Master of Professional Studies. They offer programs like;

  • Art Practice
  • Art Writing
  • Computer Arts
  • Design
  • Design For Social Innovation
  • Fine Arts
  • ILLUSTRATION AS VISUAL ESSAY
  • Interaction Design
  • Photography, Video, And Related Media

And many more.

Undergraduate students will need to pay an average of $810 per credit hour, whereas graduate students will require to pay $26,210 per semester.

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9. New York University

The 39th best University in the world and the 28th best university in the United States by QS World University Rankings and U.S. News and World Report respectively also offer one of the best art schools in New York. They have the 42nd best Fine Arts Programs in the United States.

To them, art is not just an area of study, it is their way of life, it is their culture, they have so many art theaters, that provide you with lots of experiences. NYU also has its colleges implanted in some reputable cities outside the United States, such as Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai, and these colleges bring the same art experience.

NYU offers lots of art programs in 9 fields such as;

  • Art
  • Business of the Arts
  • Dance
  • Design, Architecture, and Urban Planning
  • Digital Arts
  • Drama
  • Film
  • Music
  • Writing.

Undergrads at New York University will need to pay an average of $1,537 per credit hour, whereas graduate students will pay an average tuition of $1,928$ per credit hour.

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10. Cornell University

Cornell University is known as the 53rd best Art School in the United States by U.S. News and World Report. Their college of Arts and Humanities has 45 majors and Minors.

You’ll have the opportunity to choose from;

  • Africana Studies
  • Asian Studies
  • Classical Civilisation
  • Dance
  • Film
  • Viking Studies
  • Visual Studies

And many more.

Resident Undergrads at Cornell University will need to pay an average annual tuition of $41,958, while non-NY residents will pay $62,456. 

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11. CUNY – City College

CCNY is one of the art schools in New York that offers a handful of Bachelor’s Degrees in Arts Such as;

  • Studio Art
  • Art History
  • Digital Design
  • Photography​
  • Teaching Art K-12

They also of Graduate Arts Programs such as;

  • MFA in Studio Art
  • MFA in Digital & Interdisciplinary Art Practice
  • MA in Art Education, K-12
  • MA in Art History

CUNY – City College is a public university so their tuition is moderately lower, NY resident undergrads will need to pay an average tuition of $6,930 per year while non-NY resident undergrads will pay $18,600. NY resident Graduate students will need to pay $5,545 / semester whereas Non-residents will pay $855 / credit.

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12. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rensselaer is one of the art schools in New York that allows its students to grab double majors. That’s why more than 50% of their students are dual majors.

They are also known for designing high-quality games, and they are recognized as one of the best 20 Game Design Schools in the United States. Not just that, they are also recognized as one of the best 10 Integrated Electronic Arts Programs in the U.S.

Their Arts Department has 4 minors, 1 major, and 1 Ph.D.

Undergraduate Students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute will need to pay $58,600 annually, and the same tuition applies to graduate students.

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13. Purchase College – SUNY

Purchase College is one of the art schools in New York that allows its students to access their highest level of professional training. They train their students and equip them with enough tools to start or continue their careers and face the labor force.

The beauty of Purchase College students is they will be pursuing careers in what they love, and have built their passion around. They focus on different art fields such as;

  • The Arts Management and Entrepreneurship Program
  • Conservatory of Dance
  • Conservatory of Music
  • Theater Arts
  • Arts Management

And there are so many majors and minors offered in these art fields. They also offer graduate programs such as;

  • Art History MA
  • Composition (Classical)
  • Entrepreneurship in the Arts (Online)
  • Instrumental Performance
  • Jazz Studies
  • Studio Composition
  • Visual Arts Graduate Programs
  • Voice and Opera Studies.

NY residents will need to pay an average tuition of $3,535 annually, while non-residents will pay $8,490. Graduate NY residents will need to pay an average tuition of $5,655, whereas a non-resident will pay $11,550 per year.

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14. SUNY – New Paltz

New Paltz is one of the art schools in New York that offers their students quality education, and they are among the top 25 Best Value Colleges in the United States. They are also the #1 Best Value College in SUNY, and the 6th Best Public College in the United States by U.S. News and World Report.

New Paltz is housing lots of creative professors and students, and they are ready to help you start or continue your creative career. You have so many programs to choose from 4 fields, which include;

  • Arts
  • Theater Arts
  • Music and 
  • Art History

In-state students in SUNY – New Paltz will need to pay an average tuition of$ 7,070 per year, but out-of-state students will need to pay $ 16,980 per year.

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15. University at Buffalo – SUNY

University at Buffalo is one of the art schools in New York that will help to develop both your creative and academic skills in the art world. In addition, you will be developing these skills in Studio Art, Post-studio Art, Graphic design, Aesthetics, Critical theory, and Art history.

They have 10 arts areas of study, which include;

  • Painting
  • Emerging Practices, Art and Technology
  • Sculpture and Installation
  • Graphic Design
  • Biological Art
  • Photography
  • Print Media
  • Drawing
  • Art History and
  • Performance

Undergrad students at the University at Buffalo will need to pay an average tuition of $3,535 per semester whereas graduate students will pay $5,655 per semester.

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Conclusion

As you can see, New York is housing a lot of the best art schools in the United States and the World, and we have given you a lot of options to choose from, it’s now up to you.

You can choose to enroll in one of the best private art schools in New York or any of the best public schools.

Art Schools in New York – FAQs

[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h3″ question-0=”How many art schools are in New York?” answer-0=”There are up to 50 art schools in New York.” image-0=”” headline-1=”h3″ question-1=”Is New York the best place for arts?” answer-1=”New York is housing lots of amazing art schools, so it is one of the best places to study arts.” image-1=”” count=”2″ html=”true” css_class=””]

How many art schools are in New York?

There are up to 50 art schools in New York.

Is New York the best place for arts?

New York is housing lots of amazing art schools, so it is one of the best places to study arts.

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