VCUarts: The Best Public Art School in America

Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts, known as VCUarts, is consistently ranked as the top public art school in the United States by US News and World Report, and it regularly appears in the top five of all art school rankings regardless of public or private status. For in-state Virginia students, who pay approximately $15,000 per year in tuition, VCUarts represents one of the most extraordinary values in American art education: a program that competes with RISD, SAIC, and Yale at a fraction of the cost.

Located in Richmond, Virginia, VCUarts has built its reputation on a combination of exceptional faculty, rigorous programs, and a culture that takes artistic ambition seriously without the financial barriers that characterize the most prestigious private art schools. The school's MFA programs in Painting and Printmaking, Sculpture, and Craft and Material Studies are consistently ranked among the top ten in the country, and its undergraduate programs produce graduates who go on to significant careers in fine art, design, and the creative industries.

Programs and Rankings

VCUarts offers BFA programs across a remarkable range of disciplines, including Painting and Printmaking, Sculpture, Photography, Craft and Material Studies, Kinetic Imaging, Graphic Design, Interior Environments, and Fashion Design, as well as programs in Theatre, Dance, and Music. This breadth reflects VCUarts' position as a comprehensive arts school within a major research university, with access to the resources and intellectual contexts that a standalone art school cannot provide.

The Painting and Printmaking program is one of the school's strongest and most recognized, with a tradition of producing painters who engage seriously with both historical and contemporary practice. The program's faculty includes artists whose work is shown in major galleries and museums nationally and internationally, and the program's MFA is consistently ranked among the top programs in the country.

The Craft and Material Studies program is one of the most distinctive offerings at any art school in the United States, covering ceramics, fibers, glass, jewelry, and metalsmithing with a strong emphasis on material knowledge and making skills. The program reflects VCUarts' conviction that craft and fine art are not separate disciplines but interconnected practices, and it produces graduates who work across the full range of contexts from gallery art to design and production.

The Kinetic Imaging program covers video, animation, sound art, and interactive media, reflecting VCUarts' engagement with the full range of contemporary media practice. The program benefits from the school's broader strengths in fine art and design, and its graduates work in film, television, gallery art, and digital media contexts.

Notable Alumni

VCUarts' alumni include some of the most significant figures in contemporary American art. Kehinde Wiley, who painted the official portrait of President Barack Obama that now hangs in the National Portrait Gallery, is a VCUarts MFA graduate. His success has brought significant attention to the school's graduate programs and reflects the quality of the education and the ambition of the community it creates. Tara Donovan, whose large-scale installations using everyday materials have made her one of the most celebrated American sculptors of her generation, is also a VCUarts alumna.

The Richmond Art Scene

Richmond, Virginia has developed into one of the most interesting mid-sized art cities in the United States, with a concentration of galleries, studios, and artist-run spaces that has grown significantly in recent years. The city's Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), one of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the American South, provides students with access to a world-class collection that spans ancient art to contemporary practice.

Richmond's relatively affordable cost of living compared to New York, Los Angeles, or even Washington DC makes it possible for students and recent graduates to maintain serious art practices without the financial pressure that characterizes life in more expensive cities. Many VCUarts graduates choose to remain in Richmond after graduation, contributing to a creative community that has been shaped by the school's presence for nearly a century.

The VCU Research University Context

Being part of Virginia Commonwealth University, a major public research university with over 30,000 students, gives VCUarts access to resources that standalone art schools cannot provide. Students can take courses across VCU's colleges and schools, including the humanities, social sciences, and sciences, and the university's libraries, research facilities, and intellectual community provide a broader context for artistic development.

The university's da Vinci Center for Innovation, which brings together students from arts, business, and engineering to work on interdisciplinary projects, reflects VCU's commitment to the integration of creative and analytical thinking. VCUarts students can participate in these programs, developing skills and connections that extend beyond the traditional boundaries of art education.

Tuition and Value

The tuition difference between VCUarts and comparable private schools is dramatic. In-state Virginia students pay approximately $15,000 per year, compared to $57,000 or more at RISD, SAIC, or Pratt. Even out-of-state students pay around $36,000, which is significantly less than the private alternatives. For students who are willing to establish Virginia residency, or who are already Virginia residents, VCUarts offers a genuinely exceptional value proposition.

The school offers merit scholarships and need-based financial aid, and the university's financial aid office works with students to identify external scholarship opportunities. The combination of strong programs, exceptional rankings, and significantly lower tuition than comparable private schools makes VCUarts one of the most compelling choices in American art education.

The Bottom Line

VCUarts is the best public art school in the United States, offering programs that compete with the most prestigious private art schools at a fraction of the cost. Its consistently high rankings, distinguished alumni including Kehinde Wiley, strong faculty, and location in Richmond's growing art scene make it a genuinely compelling choice for students who want serious art education without the debt burden that private schools typically require. For Virginia residents in particular, VCUarts represents one of the most extraordinary values in American higher education.