An art degree provides students with more than just art training. Thanks to courses designed to introduce the business side of art, a student with a bachelor of fine arts degree can make an average of $61,000 per year1. Online art degrees open the field up even further for students who can't move for a degree or mid-career professionals looking to make a change.
This guide outlines everything students need to know about getting an online art degree, as well as what to expect once they start on their degree path.
What Is an Online Art Degree?
Art degrees include both classical art training in drawing, theory, and design and newer technologies that make those disciplines more efficient. Students should expect this blend from most art degree programs.
Art degrees can be flexible, covering several disciplines and intentions. For example, students can choose fine arts to specialize in drawing or painting. They can also choose media arts for careers in graphic design or cinematography. Others major in art history or even art business, not creating art themselves but offering their knowledge and expertise to the field.
Students in fine or media arts should expect to build portfolios and critique their peers' work. Learners should also expect studio time and to participate in a variety of art mediums before niching into their preferred concentration.
How Can I Use an Online Art Degree?
While some may believe that art doesn't offer the types of opportunities other degrees might, an online art degree does provide many reliable career paths. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) identifies the following five career sectors as the highest paying2.
Motion Picture and Video Industry Artists Average Annual Salary: $94,760
The motion picture and video industry pays its artists an annual salary of just over $94,000 per year2. Artists handle a variety of tasks, from marketing materials to rendering animation to website design. The field employs around 210 people per year2.
Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services Artists Average Annual Salary: $93,090
Artists working in advertising, public relations, and related services make an average salary of just over $93,000 per year2, handling artistic media for campaigns, announcements, and advertising-related materials. The field employs around 110 positions per year that don't require specific graphic design skills2.
Artists in the Federal Executive Branch Average Annual Salary: $89,420
Art positions with the federal government pay around $89,000 per year2, and the sector employs more than 3,000 people2. Artists handle tasks such as print media, rendering, sketches, and other art-related activities.
Artists in the Management of Companies and Enterprises Average Annual Salary: $73,230
Artists in management, such as art or gallery directors, make an average salary of just over $73,000 per year2. This sector offers about 120 positions per year2.
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services Artists Average Annual Salary: $71,530
Artists working in architecture, engineering, and other related services make around $72,000 per year2, providing creative services to firms and independent or boutique organizations.
Artist Employment by State
State location also influences things like how likely a student is to find a career and their salary. For example, the BLS identifies the following states as the highest paying artist locations2: