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First, some facts. Of the Illustration graduates from Ringling College of Art and Design 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 17 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 79%, Illustration graduates from Ringling College of Art and Design have a much higher likelihood (+12%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 0% 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 Illustration graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 80% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2011 from Ringling College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONWarehouse Worker Alliance Ground International Oct 2013 - Jul 2014 Administrative Assistant Larsen and Associates Oct 2014 - Jul 2015 Large Format Printer Operator  Incentex Jan 2016 - Jun 2017 Graphic Artist  Spiderwebshade Nov 2017 - Oct 2018 Screen Printer Print Depot Jan 2019 - Feb 2020 Graphic Artist Print Depot Jan 2019 - Feb 2020 Freelance illustrator Self Employed-Fine Arts Apr 2011 - May 2020 Graphic Artist Express Signs and Shirts Feb 2020 - May 2020 Medical Document Scanner Suntree Internal Medicine Jul 2021 - Nov 2021 Sign Fabricator Brevard County Public Works Oct 2022 - Present ABOUTIllustrator/artist with a love for history, mythology and science. My childhood love of comics movies and books led me towards the path of the storyteller. I tell my stories with my pen, brush and stylus. I sketch daily as there is always something new to learn and expand my visual language. My different roles have taught me how take the time to make sure something is done right. Rushing can be costly. I enjoy pushing my imagination, creativity and artistic skills. Both as an artist and storyteller. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Students who graduated from Ringling College of Art and Design with a degree in Illustration have found themselves in a mix of careers that range significantly in relevance to their field of study. A common trend among these graduates is that many have pursued careers as freelance illustrators or graphic artists, where they can fully leverage their artistic skills. Roles like 'Freelance Illustrator' and 'Graphic Artist' are certainly the most relatable to their training and often allow for the application of core illustration techniques. However, it’s interesting to note that alongside entirely relevant positions, many alumni have taken on jobs that stray quite a bit from their degree’s focus, such as administrative roles, warehouse work, and even positions like security officers. These occupations don’t require the specific artistic skills that were taught at Ringling, which can be a letdown for those hoping to delve straight into creative professions.
Despite the variety of job titles, there seems to be a solid opportunity for graduates to apply their illustration skills in some creative industries, like graphic design and product design, though often, these roles focus more broadly on design principles rather than just illustration. What's a bit disheartening is that several graduates end up in jobs that are completely unrelated to illustration, which can reflect the reality of job markets—they might not always land a role that perfectly aligns with their passion or education. So, if you’re considering a degree in illustration, it’s good to be aware: while there are rewarding artistic paths out there, some graduates may find themselves in positions that don’t fully utilize their creative talents.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Illustration graduates (this is across all Illustration graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Ringling College of Art and Design):
Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Ringling College of Art and Design, particularly those who studied Illustration, it seems like there's quite a mixed bag. Right after graduating, many of them tend to find their first jobs in freelance roles or positions related to graphic design and illustration, which makes sense given their degree. For instance, several alumni jumped straight into freelancing or secured graphic design jobs, which likely helped them build their portfolios and gain some industry experience. However, it’s also clear that not everyone sticks to traditional illustration roles; some grads drift into unrelated fields or take on jobs that seem to have little to do with their studies, like working as baristas or in administrative roles.
Fast forward five or ten years, and the picture gets even more varied. While a good number of graduates seem to have carved out solid careers in design and illustration—like those working as art directors or graphic designers—others ended up in roles that don’t directly connect to their artistic training. There are instances of alumni remaining self-employed or taking on freelance gigs, which can be risky in terms of job security. Some also transitioned into positions in product design or entirely different fields. Overall, while it's clear that many graduates find creative paths that are somewhat relevant to their training, there are definitely those who’ve wandered off the beaten path, ending up in jobs that don’t utilize their illustration skills as much as they’d hope. So, if you’re thinking about the future, it’s good to know there’s potential in pursuing your passion, but be prepared for a lot of twists and turns along the way!
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Illustration at Ringling College of Art and Design is definitely on the challenging side, but it’s also super rewarding if you’re passionate about art. The coursework is pretty rigorous, with a mix of drawing, design principles, digital art, and creative storytelling, so you’ll really need to stay focused and dedicated. You’ll be critiqued often, which can be tough, but it helps you grow as an artist. Plus, the competition is fierce because everyone there is talented and serious about their craft, so expect to put in a lot of hours honing your skills. Overall, it’s a tough program, but if you love illustrating and are ready to push yourself, it can be an amazing experience!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Illustration.
Looking at the job histories of these Ringling College graduates, it feels like their financial situations vary quite a bit. Some have really climbed the ladder into roles like Art Director or Senior Designer, which likely comes with a decent paycheck, especially for those who are co-founders or in more specialized positions. On the flip side, a few are still juggling freelance gigs or have taken jobs that sound more like stepping stones than career launches, like warehouse work or retail positions. Overall, if they’ve stuck with freelance or taken on creative roles, they probably have had opportunities to make good money, but not every graduate seems to have hit that sweet spot yet. It’s a mix of great successes and a few that might still be figuring things out financially!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Illustration (this is across all Illustration graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Ringling College of Art and Design). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Illustration (ordered by the average relevance score of their Illustration graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 ArtCenter College of Design
|
83 | 16 |
 Ringling College of Art and Design
|
79 | 17 |
 Columbus College of Art & Design
|
72 | 16 |
 Rhode Island School of Design
|
71 | 15 |
 Savannah College of Art and Design
|
65 | 40 |
 Academy of Art University
|
65 | 13 |
 Maryland Institute College of Art
|
65 | 13 |
 School of Visual Arts
|
61 | 20 |
 Pacific Northwest College of Art
|
61 | 10 |
 Fashion Institute of Technology
|
59 | 19 |