Best Art and Design colleges in New York

New York state supports a variety of artists and designers that pursued Bachelor of Arts degrees before entering the professional world. Art and design degrees can vary depending on a chosen specialty, though many require a combination of theory and art and design history with hands-on lab work. Graduates can pursue jobs at museums like MOMA and the Guggenheim, or be employed with a local art gallery as painters or craftsmen. 

Students interested in working in the art and design field should note many schools recommend pursuing a Bachelor in Arts degree, and potentially a master’s if they choose to further their expertise in fields like art history or interior design. Programs typically emphasize sketching and drafting, painting, and sculpting to ensure that students are familiar with a range of artistic mediums.  

Students typically earn their degree in art and design in person due to the tactile nature of the degree. Some of the nation’s largest artist and design employers are located in the New York City metro at galleries, museums, and private boutiques. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports over 1,300 opportunities for art and design graduates in New York.

Best Art and Design colleges in New York for 2024

The New School
New York, NY

The New School offers 66 Art and Design degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 1,298 Art and Design students graduated with students earning 877 Bachelor's degrees, 271 Master's degrees, 101 Associate's degrees, and 49 Certificates.

New York University
New York, NY

Since 1965, New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts has been educating artists and scholars alike on cinema studies, television, dance, drama, photography and more. NYU undoubtedly attracts talented student artists from around the world. The learning opportunities that Tisch provides to budding artists goes beyond New York City. In addition to the school’s six New York City locations—including 721 Broadway, 111 Second Avenue, and 194 Mercer—Tisch has expanded its reach around the globe. In 2007, Tisch School of the Arts Asia opened in Singapore with an inaugural film master’s degree program. Since that time, Tisch Asia has added animation and digital arts, dramatic writing, and international media producing programs. In addition, through the NYU Global Network, students in London, Prague, and Shanghai can enroll in Tisch courses. In 2012, Tisch opened the NYU Game Center to give students interested in becoming game developers, designers, and even critics, the education they need to reach their career goals. Through its bachelor’s and master’s game design program, the Center teaches students how to integrate animation, writing, and audio to create games that can be used for education or entertainment. In addition, NYU hosts the Game Center Student Show, where students show off the projects they created during their studies. Some exhibited projects include 3D animations, multiplayer games, surrealist game art, and card and board games.

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Fashion Institute of Technology offers 22 Art and Design degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 1,228 Art and Design students graduated with students earning 640 Associate's degrees, 557 Bachelor's degrees, 22 Master's degrees, and 9 Certificates.

SUNY at Purchase College offers 33 Art and Design degree programs. It's a small, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 502 Art and Design students graduated with students earning 474 Bachelor's degrees, and 28 Master's degrees.

University of Rochester
Rochester, NY

University of Rochester offers 29 Art and Design degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2022, 261 Art and Design students graduated with students earning 147 Bachelor's degrees, 74 Master's degrees, and 40 Doctoral degrees.

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University offers 45 Art and Design degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2022, 288 Art and Design students graduated with students earning 231 Bachelor's degrees, and 57 Master's degrees.

Pratt Institute-Main
Brooklyn, NY

Pratt Institute-Main offers 20 Art and Design degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 432 Art and Design students graduated with students earning 272 Bachelor's degrees, 143 Master's degrees, and 17 Associate's degrees.

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Columbia University in the City of New York offers 15 Art and Design degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 350 Art and Design students graduated with students earning 229 Master's degrees, 105 Bachelor's degrees, 8 Certificates, and 8 Doctoral degrees.

University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University at Buffalo offers 32 Art and Design degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 226 Art and Design students graduated with students earning 190 Bachelor's degrees, 25 Master's degrees, 7 Doctoral degrees, and 4 Certificates.

Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY

Ithaca College offers 22 Art and Design degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small suburb. In 2022, 245 Art and Design students graduated with students earning 228 Bachelor's degrees, and 17 Master's degrees.

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List of all Art and Design colleges in New York

School Average Tuition Student Teacher Ratio Enrolled Students
The New School Logo The New School New York, NY
5/5
24 : 1 10,108
New York University Logo New York University New York, NY
5/5
20 : 1 59,144
Fashion Institute of Technology Logo Fashion Institute of Technology New York, NY
3/5
41 : 1 8,125
The Juilliard School Logo The Juilliard School New York, NY
5/5
10 : 1 986
SUNY at Purchase College Logo SUNY at Purchase College Purchase, NY
3/5
17 : 1 3,182