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CIP 50.0410 Visual and Performing Arts

Illustration

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

Total graduates

3,125

2025 · 61 schools

International share

16.8%

526 international students

Bachelor's degrees

2,598

14.9% international

Master's degrees

275

46.9% international

Overview

Illustration is a dynamic and versatile field that combines artistic creativity with visual storytelling. This major typically focuses on the creation of images that convey ideas, narratives, or messages through various mediums. Students in illustration programs learn to develop their unique styles and techniques, often exploring both traditional methods, such as drawing and painting, and digital tools, including software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

The curriculum often covers a range of topics, including character design, editorial illustration, children’s book illustration, and concept art for films and video games. Students are encouraged to build a strong portfolio that showcases their skills and versatility, which is crucial for entering the competitive job market. Art history and theory may also be integrated into the coursework to provide a broader context for students’ work.

Illustration graduates can pursue various career paths, including freelance illustration, working in publishing, advertising, animation, and even education. The demand for skilled illustrators continues to grow, particularly with the expansion of digital media and online content creation. As such, illustrators play a vital role in branding, marketing, and communication, making their work essential in today’s visually driven society.

Overall, the illustration major fosters not only technical skills but also critical thinking and creative problem-solving, preparing students to effectively convey complex ideas through visual art. It is a field that rewards innovation and personal expression, making it an exciting choice for those passionate about art and storytelling.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2003 to 2025, graduates grew 387% and the international share went from 9.5% to 16.8%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
44.5%
Asian
11.3%
Hispanic
12.1%
Black
6.8%
Other
8.5%
Intl.
16.8%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 61 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#34 Boston University Massachusetts 4 1
#72 Syracuse University New York 29 9
#95 Rochester Institute of Technology New York 39 1
#116 Brigham Young University-Provo Utah 14 0
#137 St John's University (NY) New York 8 0
#156 Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia 147 1
#208 Belmont University Tennessee 8 0
#227 The New School New York 110 38
#250 University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Massachusetts 12 0
#262 George Fox University Oregon 6 0
#262 Seattle Pacific University Washington 3 0
#276 California Baptist University California 1 0
#288 University of Hartford Connecticut 43 0
#288 Arcadia University Pennsylvania 12 0
#317 Ferris State University Michigan 17 2
LAC #172 Brigham Young University-Idaho Idaho 16 0
— Savannah College of Art and Design Georgia 557 106
— School of Visual Arts New York 288 165
— Fashion Institute of Technology New York 222 11
— Art Center College of Design California 141 40
— Ringling College of Art and Design Florida 131 17
— Rhode Island School of Design Rhode Island 131 41
— Maryland Institute College of Art Maryland 120 51
— Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Wisconsin 94 0
— Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design Colorado 90 0
— Massachusetts College of Art and Design Massachusetts 79 2
— Academy of Art University California 78 13
— Columbus College of Art & Design Ohio 64 0
— Columbia College Chicago Illinois 57 2
— Minneapolis College of Art and Design Minnesota 52 0
— College for Creative Studies Michigan 42 0
— Laguna College of Art and Design California 40 2
— Moore College of Art and Design Pennsylvania 37 0
— Kansas City Art Institute Missouri 34 0
— Cleveland Institute of Art Ohio 33 0
— SUNY at Fredonia New York 30 1
— California College of the Arts California 28 11
— Pacific Northwest College of Art Oregon 27 3
— Pratt Institute-Main New York 23 5
— Lesley University Massachusetts 21 0
— Art Academy of Cincinnati Ohio 21 0
— Mohawk Valley Community College New York 18 0
— Montserrat College of Art Massachusetts 17 0
— Maine College of Art & Design Maine 16 0
— Otis College of Art and Design California 15 3
— Collin County Community College District Texas 14 0

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Related jobs and pay

OccupationUS employmentMean hourly wageMean annual wage
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 93,560 — $94,700
Set and Exhibit Designers 10,630 $39.98 $83,160
Designers, All Other 9,480 $38.02 $79,090
Artists and Related Workers, All Other 6,930 $38.72 $80,530

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2003–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.