What can you do with a Fine and Studio Arts degree from School of Visual Arts?

First, some facts. Of the Fine and Studio Arts graduates from School of Visual Arts we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 66%, Fine and Studio Arts graduates from School of Visual Arts have a slightly lower likelihood (-1%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 66%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 33% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Fine and Studio Arts graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Fine and Studio Arts graduate from School of Visual Arts and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2011 from School of Visual Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA in Fine and Studio Arts. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Graphic Artist
Simon and Schuster
Jul 2017 - Present
The role of Graphic Artist at Simon and Schuster directly utilizes artistic and design skills acquired during the BFA in Fine and Studio Arts, making it highly relevant to the degree.

ABOUT

Terry Brodner graduated from the School of Visual Arts with a Bachelors in Fine Arts. She has an extensive dog portrait portfolio, teaches art skills to children at Beansprouts Preschool and is publishing her first book Vinny Gets a Job with Simon and Schuster.

What jobs can you get with a Fine and Studio Arts degree from School of Visual Arts?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When looking at the job trajectories of graduates from the School of Visual Arts who studied Fine and Studio Arts, there are a few common themes that stand out. Many have secured roles in design-related fields, particularly in architecture and graphic design, where they can effectively use the skills learned in their degree programs. Positions like Co-Production Designer, Graphic Artist, and Designer at architectural firms showcase how graduates are applying their artistic education in ways that align closely with their training. However, there are also quite a few graduates who found themselves in roles, such as Project Managers or even Real Estate Agents, that seem far removed from the world of fine arts.

Overall, while many graduates have landed jobs that are directly relevant to their Fine and Studio Arts degrees, a significant number have ventured into careers that don’t make full use of their artistic training. Positions in sales, operations, or administrative roles often lack the artistic creativity and technical skills that were their primary focus in school. So, while there's a good chunk of alumni doing really cool art-related stuff, others are going down paths that feel a bit disconnected from their fine arts roots. It’s a mixed bag, for sure, reflecting both the versatility of an arts education and the sometimes unpredictable job market.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Fine and Studio Arts graduates (this is across all Fine and Studio Arts graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to School of Visual Arts):

What kind of career trajectories do Fine and Studio Arts graduates from School of Visual Arts have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

It looks like graduates from the School of Visual Arts have had some pretty diverse career trajectories after completing their degrees, which is both exciting and a bit of a mixed bag. Right after graduation, many of them seem to head into various roles that are somewhat related to art and design, like working as graphic artists, photographers, or in management for art studios. However, it's clear that some also take on jobs that aren't directly in the art field, like retail positions or even roles in real estate. This suggests that while they might start off in art-related jobs, the pursuit of a stable income can lead them to veer off the path they initially set for themselves.

If we look at the longer term, like five to ten years down the line, it’s a mixed picture. A few graduates return to the arts, becoming artists or designers again, while others seem to settle into unrelated fields, which can be a bit disappointing. For example, those who are self-employed as artists or have become art educators show a strong commitment to their craft and have managed to carve out a space for themselves in the art world. On the flip side, some graduates have transitioned into more traditional jobs outside the arts completely, which might mean they had to compromise on their initial passion. So while there are success stories, there's also a significant number who end up in roles that may not align with their aspirations in Fine and Studio Arts.

How hard is a Fine and Studio Arts degree from School of Visual Arts?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Fine and Studio Arts at the School of Visual Arts (or really any art school) can be a bit of a mixed bag. It’s definitely not the easiest degree out there, mostly because you’re juggling a ton of projects, critiques, and studio time while trying to develop your own unique style. You'll need to be super dedicated and ready to put in long hours—think late nights in the studio working on your latest piece. There’s also a lot of feedback you have to take on the chin, which can be tough but ultimately helps you grow as an artist. So, while it’s challenging like any degree, if you’re passionate about art and ready to dive in, you might find it really rewarding, too!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Fine and Studio Arts.

Do Fine and Studio Arts graduates from School of Visual Arts tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these Fine and Studio Arts grads from the School of Visual Arts, it seems like some have found a way to make decent money while others are still figuring it out. For instance, the 2010 grad made a slow climb in design roles and ended up as a partner in an architecture firm, which probably pays pretty well. The 2011 grad is at Simon and Schuster, a solid company that typically offers decent salaries for graphic artists. However, others like the 2015 grad who’s bartender-ing and working claims might not be raking in the big bucks just yet. Overall, there's a mix of creative jobs out there—some leading to better financial stability than others—so it really depends on how they leverage their skills and connections in the art world.

What buzzwords do Fine and Studio Arts graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Fine and Studio Arts (this is across all Fine and Studio Arts graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to School of Visual Arts). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Fine and Studio Arts?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Fine and Studio Arts (ordered by the average relevance score of their Fine and Studio Arts graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Parsons School of Design - The New School 74 10
The University of Texas at Austin 71 17
School of Visual Arts 66 12
Florida State University 56 19
School of the Art Institute of Chicago 51 10