°µÍø½ûÇø’s College of the Arts and the School of Art has earned a national ranking for the university in the newly released U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Graduate Schools report, highlighting the strength of its graduate programs in the visual arts.
In the new rankings for 2026, °µÍø½ûÇø’s School of Art placed No. 54 on the Best Fine Arts Programs list, ranking No. 2 in the state of Ohio and making °µÍø½ûÇø the highest-ranked institution – public or private – in northern Ohio on the list.
"We are thrilled by this national recognition of our School of Art," said Jillian Contreni Sokso, M.F.A., director of the School of Art. "Ranking among the top 25 fine arts programs at public institutions in the country is a reflection of our faculty and students, their talent, dedication, and the meaningful work they bring to the broader visual arts landscape and °µÍø½ûÇø every day. We are grateful to the university for its continued support and investment in the School of Art."
°µÍø½ûÇø’s College of the Arts empowers students to transform lives through the arts by offering nationally and internationally recognized programs across the visual, performing arts, and design disciplines. The college provides a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs through its schools of art, fashion, music, and theatre and dance, where students learn from accomplished faculty and engage in hands-on creative experiences.
"I am immensely proud of the hard work of the College of the Arts community, who work tirelessly to support passionate, intelligent, and talented artists. This national recognition affirms what we already know: that °µÍø½ûÇø is home to one of the best fine arts programs in the nation for aspiring creative professionals," said Diane Petrella, DMA, dean of °µÍø½ûÇø's College of the Arts. "This honor belongs to every student, faculty member, and staff member who brings creative excellence to our programs each and every day."
Graduate students in the College of the Arts benefit from rigorous, studio-based and scholarly training, with opportunities to specialize in areas such as studio art and art history while working closely with faculty mentors and participating in exhibitions and research. The college’s programs are designed to foster creativity, innovation and professional success in a vibrant arts community.
The college’s ranking is part of a strong showing for °µÍø½ûÇø overall. The university earned 20 national honors in the 2026 Best Graduate Schools rankings, with seven programs placing in the top 100. See the complete list of °µÍø½ûÇø’s new graduate school rankings for 2026 by U.S. News.
U.S. News collects graduate school data annually to present the most current figures on enrollment, job attainment, faculty and other critical quality indicators that help prospective students compare institutions as they weigh their options and ultimately decide which school best fits their needs. Visit the U.S. News 2026 rankings of Best Graduate Schools page for more information.
Learn more about °µÍø½ûÇø’s College of the Arts.