Best Online Art Schools 2026
Want to hone your creative skills? Interested in art and design careers? Then online art school might be the right path for you. Many art and design jobs require a bachelor’s degree — and online art schools offer a flexible path to an art degree.
Which art courses can you take online? Is online art school worth it? Our resources, including a ranking of the best online art schools, can help you learn more so you can make an informed decision.
Top 3 Online Art Schools
Arizona State University Digital Immersion — Largest Selection of Online Art Programs
- Scottsdale, AZ
- 4 year
- Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top School
Arizona State University offers 13 online bachelor’s programs in art-related fields, making it the school with the largest selection of online art programs on our list. ASU offers online and hybrid bachelor’s programs in art history, art studies, photography, museum and curatorial practices, fine arts and design, fashion, film, graphic design, performing arts, and media arts.
Some online art programs at ASU offer accelerated tracks and the option to pursue your bachelor’s and master’s studies concurrently and graduate in as few as five years. For nonresident online students, tuition costs around $580 per credit.
What to Expect
- Network with faculty who are MacArthur Fellows, Grammy winners, and Emmy winners.
- Earn a minimum of 120 credit hours (with at least 45 credit hours in upper-division courses) to graduate.
- Hybrid students can explore creative spaces like the Media and Immersive eXperience (MIX) Center.
How to Enroll
Prospective ASU students can apply on the ASU application portal or through the Common App. SAT and ACT scores are optional, but first-time online ASU applicants must either be in the top 25% of their high school graduating class or have earned at least a 3.00 GPA in required competency courses.
98%
$11,308
74%
$13,512
- Acceptance Rate
- 64%
- Students Enrolled
- 66,062
- Institution Type
- Public
Berklee College of Music — Most Selective Undergraduate Admissions
- Boston, MA
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top School
Berklee College of Music boasts the most selective undergraduate admissions rate on our list. In fall 2023, just 50% of bachelor’s degree-seeking applicants were accepted. Berklee offers 11 online bachelor’s programs in various musical disciplines, including music production, music business, songwriting, music composition, and interdisciplinary studies.
Berklee’s online music curriculum consists of 120 credits per program, priced at approximately $525 per credit. You can choose to study part-time or full-time, depending on your schedule.
What to Expect
- Complete your music education with a capstone course focused on your major.
- Join an online community of musicians and industry leaders from over 140 countries.
- Pay 65% less for an online Berklee music program than you would for a similar on-campus program.
How to Enroll
Berklee College of Music offers rolling admissions and typically delivers decisions within two weeks of your application. There are no minimum GPA, test score, or class ranking requirements. However, applicants must demonstrate musical aptitude and proficiency in the English language.
45%
$48,830
89%
$48,830
- Acceptance Rate
- 44%
- Students Enrolled
- 8,369
- Institution Type
- Private
Savannah College of Art and Design — Highest Student Retention Rate
- Savannah, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top School
The Savannah College of Art and Design stands out for having the highest student retention rate among the schools on our list. Among SCAD’s nearly 15,000 undergraduate students, 71% of part-time, first-time students seeking a bachelor’s degree in fall 2022 returned to continue their studies the following year. A high retention rate typically indicates high student satisfaction and strong school support.
SCAD offers 12 online bachelor’s programs with eight distinct majors, including advertising, dramatic writing, fashion marketing and management, and sequential art. Some programs allow you to choose either a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of fine arts degree track. An online bachelor’s program at SCAD requires 180 credits, priced at around $937 per credit.
What to Expect
- Complete your major with an undergraduate internship.
- Participate in live classroom events via video conferencing or watch events at a time that works for you.
- Leverage online resources like peer tutoring, career support services, and access to SCAD’s library collections.
How to Enroll
First-year undergraduate applicants should include an official high school diploma, evidence of English proficiency, a letter of recommendation, and a list of achievements (such as awards, relevant experience, and leadership positions) in their application. A statement of purpose, portfolio, and test scores are optional. Applications are accepted throughout the year, but must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the start of your first quarter.
29%
$40,095
87%
$40,095
- Acceptance Rate
- 84%
- Students Enrolled
- 17,575
- Institution Type
- Private
Why Accreditation Matters for Art School
When you’re earning a degree, accreditation matters. Accreditation indicates that a school or program meets certain standards of educational quality.
What’s more, only accredited colleges can distribute federal financial aid. And, many employers only hire graduates from accredited institutions.
Some art programs will be programmatically accredited. Here are some of the major art and design accreditors to look for:
How Does Online Art School Work?
Online art schools emphasize visual design, digital media, and creative studies. Students who enroll in art programs online complete graduation requirements in a virtual classroom. You’ll collaborate on projects and critique work in online classes. Online art schools often require a final project, such as a portfolio, thesis, performance, or exhibition, in order to graduate.
You can earn an online art degree in many fields, including animation, art history, game design, graphic design, interior design, and photography.
Due to the field’s hands-on nature, many online art programs incorporate some on-campus components, such as summer studio intensives.
Fully online programs in the performing arts — such as music, dance, and theater — are uncommon, though you may be able to complete some coursework online. Similarly, reputable programs in fashion design typically require in-person training in pattern making and drafting.
Is Online Art School Worth It?
$24,990
Average annual tuition for online bachelor’s degree in art (2020)
$47,460
Average starting salary for visual and performing arts majors (2023)
Whether online art school is worth it or not depends on your interests, circumstances, and goals. For some, an art degree can open doors and help create a valuable career network. For others, however, a different major or delivery format may be a better fit.
Consider online college if…
- You need a flexible schedule due to work or other commitments.
- Your chosen art school fits your budget and offers degrees in your creative field.
- Earning an art degree would lead to new job opportunities or a higher salary.
- You have a clear plan for your career path, which requires a degree.
Avoid online art school if…
- You’re interested in an art field that requires robust in-person training.
- Art school would require you to take on debt, and you plan to pursue a lower-paying role.
- You can gain experience in your field and qualify for roles without a degree.
- You’re unsure whether you want a career in the arts or a more interdisciplinary education.
Anna Cavasos , 3D Visual Effects Artist
“The biggest way art school helped me was to give me access to industry professionals. Getting critique from them really helped me bring my work to another standard. They taught me techniques and skills that I would never have been able to learn otherwise. They also helped me look at my own work with a critical eye, which helps me in my personal work.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Distance-friendly art majors can be completed online, while hands-on majors require in-person courses. Distance-friendly art majors might utilize digital tools, software, and online storage, such as digital media, photography, and art history. Hands-on or performance-based majors, including dance, painting, and ceramics, cannot be completed online due to requirements for physical materials, specialized equipment, or live performances.
