6 most prestigious art schools to seize your best future

6 most prestigious art schools to seize your best future


When we think about the most prestigious universities in the world, we think of places like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Imperial College London, and the University of Oxford. 

Their work in the fields of STEM — science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — has shaped the world. From evaluating the productivity levels of humans versus artificial intelligence to creating a much-needed vaccine for a pandemic, there’s no doubt that these institutions have pulled their weight in and for the world.

But if you’re less STEM-inclined, let’s talk the arts instead.

Which of the most prestigious art schools — the ones that set the bar for creativity, innovation, and cultural impact — comes to mind?

Think of schools that help artists create works of art like Banky’s street art, Sun Yuan and Peng Yu’s Can’t Help Myself, or even Maurizio Cattelan’s Comedian — though more commonly known as “the banana taped to a wall.”

One of them might be the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), one of the most prestigious art schools in the US. There, they receive approximately 2,300 students from around the world annually seeking a creative, studio-based education at the school.

RISD’s graduates include the recipient of the Forbes 30 Under 30 for Art & Style in 2025, Qualeasha Wood — one of the youngest artists with work on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City — and those of the industrial design programme gearing up for the space race.

However, are great graduate accomplishments what makes RISD or any other top art schools around the world, “prestigious”?

Does university prestige still matter?

The idea of “prestige” in education often stems from a combination of factors.

Faculty accomplishments, such as groundbreaking research, notable publications, and recognition in their fields, play a significant role.

These achievements shape the institution’s reputation, attracting top talent and fostering innovation.  

Prestige is also deeply tied to history and public perception. Schools with longstanding traditions, like Harvard or Yale, have become synonymous with excellence due to their enduring influence and consistent impact.  

Yet, prestige is just one piece of the puzzle when choosing a school. And it doesn’t guarantee immediate success.

Forbes asked readers of its Future of Work newsletter about how colleges are doing in preparing job candidates. Among hiring managers, 37% said state universities are doing a better job than they were five years ago, and 31% said the same for non-Ivy League private colleges.

Because of this, 33% said they are now less likely to hire Ivy League grads, with just 7% saying they are more likely to hire them.

Similarly, a study by Opportunity Insights compared students who were wait-listed at Ivy League schools. Some got in, while others attended public universities instead.

The researchers found that attending an Ivy League school made very little difference to future earnings. By 33 years old, those who went to an Ivy earned just 3% more on average.

In the end, education is deeply personal. Prestigious schools can set the stage for success, but transformative learning experiences can happen anywhere if the institution is the right fit for your goals and ambitions.

Still, it’s hard to deny that there’s no advantage when you attend the best schools in the world for your field.

For music lovers, attending The Juilliard School means following the footsteps of famous graduates who have changed the performing arts world; for the money-minded, going to the universities that have produced the most billionaires might help you find the key to your own financial success.

The art world has seen similar success.

Andrea Chung, whose collections can be found at Harvard University, the University of Texas, and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, pursued her studies at great art schools like Parsons School of Design and the Maryland Institute College of Art. Similarly, Marina Abramović, the self-proclaimed “grandmother of performance art,” attended the Academy of Fine Arts at Belgrade and later the
Academy of Fine Arts at Zagreb.

If it sounds like a path you’re determined to go down, we’ve gathered a list of institutions to help give you the best shot of launching a star-studded career.

The most prestigious art schools in the world

Royal College of Art, UK 

Since its founding in 1837, the Royal College of Art (RCA) has left an indelible mark on the creative world.

Elevated to university status in 1967, the RCA has maintained its position as the world’s top art and design university for ten consecutive years.

As a member of the world’s largest postgraduate-only art and design community, you’ll thrive in an environment rich with collaboration and inspiration.

Whether your aspirations lie in fine art, design, or interdisciplinary research, the RCA offers tailored programmes to suit every career path. From Graduate Diplomas to PhDs and even executive education, the RCA is your gateway to turning creative dreams into reality. Plus, you’ll get to boast about attending the same school as accomplished individuals like actor Alan Rickman and director Ridley Scott. 

Many of the most beloved animated films, including “Beauty and the Beast” and “Toy Story,” were created by a group of CalArts students in the 1970s. Source: AFP

California Institute of the Arts, US

The California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) is more than a school.

Founded in 1970 with Walt Disney’s vision of a space that fosters creativity and collaboration, CalArts has evolved into a powerhouse for the arts, widely regarded as America’s top college for aspiring artists.

At CalArts, six schools — Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music, and Theatre — offer a platform for students to turn bold ideas into transformative works.

Students are encouraged to cross boundaries, embrace new perspectives, and redefine what’s possible in their craft. Take award-winning film director, producer, screenwriter, and animator Tim Burton, for example — he attended CalArts to study character animation and has since equated his name to quality, gothic fantasy works of art. 

However, getting into CalArts is no easy feat. With an acceptance rate of 25%, it ranks in the top 6% of the nation’s most selective universities.

most prestigious art schools

Europe is a feast for the eyes, with its hand-crafted cathedrals that have shaped global architecture. Even Walt Disney found inspiration here. Source: AFP

Zurich University of the Arts, Switzerland

Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) is one of Europe’s most prestigious art schools.

Home to 2,800 students and 650 dedicated teaching staff, ZHdK offers diverse programmes in design, film, fine arts, music, dance, theatre, transdisciplinary studies, and art education.

Its numerous performance and exhibition venues allow students to share their talent and ideas with the wider community.

Founded in 2007 through the merger of the Zurich University of Music and Theatre (HMT) and the Zurich Canton University of Design and Art (HGKZ), ZHdK draws on a rich history of artistic and academic excellence.

Today, it operates as a state university with its own legal standing, ensuring the autonomy needed to foster creativity and innovation. Whether this has helped foster the talents of writers like Yoko Tawada and video artist Ingrid Wildi Merino, we’ll let you decide. 

Notably, ZHdK made history as the first art university in Switzerland to receive independent accreditation from the Swiss Accreditation Council, highlighting its commitment to educational excellence, cutting-edge research, and creative innovation.

most prestigious art schools

A visitor looks at an artwork named “Mask” during a graduate exhibition at the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou. Source: AFP

China Academy of Art, China

The China Academy of Art (CAA), established in 1928 by educator Cai Yuanpei, marks a significant turning point in China’s educational and cultural evolution.

Founded in Hangzhou — a city celebrated for its rich historical and cultural heritage — CAA was envisioned during a time of national upheaval to safeguard and advance the role of fine arts in preserving cultural identity.

As China’s first art university and graduate school, it stood as a beacon of resilience and progress.

It merges tradition with innovation, fostering an educational philosophy that blends theory and practice.

Fast forward to today, CAA offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in fine arts, design, architecture, animation, and image and media.

One of the school’s many famous graduates is art curator and critic Hou Hanru, the artistic director of the National Museum MAXXI in Rome from 2013 to 2023.

RMIT School of Art, Australia

RMIT University, ranked #1 in Australia and #18 globally for Art and Design in the 2024 QS Rankings, is a global leader in creative education.

As Australia’s sole representative on our list of the most prestigious art schools, RMIT’s School of Art is renowned for its innovation and influence.

Its graduates have earned accolades such as the Arthur Guy Memorial Painting Prize and numerous fellowships, cementing the university’s reputation for excellence.

A standout programme is the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). It is a three-year, full-time degree offering a range of studio specialisations, including ceramics, drawing, print, video and sound, and sculpture.

Students benefit from extensive hands-on learning in advanced studio facilities, combined with face-to-face instruction that fosters tailored mentorship and skill development.

most prestigious art schools

Tokyo University of the Arts graduate Eiji Aonuma is the lead producer of Japanese gaming giant Nintendo’s video game “The Legend of Zelda.” Aonuma pursued a master’s degree in composition design at the university. Source: AFP

Tokyo University of the Arts, Japan

As Japan’s only national arts university, Tokyo University of the Arts has been a leader in arts education since its founding in 1949.

Created under the National School Establishment Law, the university emerged from the merger of two prestigious institutions: the Tokyo Fine Arts School (now the Faculty of Fine Arts) and the Tokyo Music School (now the Faculty of Music).

Over the decades, the university has grown and adapted, evolving into its current structure of 14 departments.

Facilities such as the University Library, the University Art Museum, and the Performing Arts Center further enhance its offerings, supporting academic excellence and creative expression.

In addition to its undergraduate programmes, Tokyo University of the Arts offers advanced studies through its Graduate Schools of Fine Arts, Music, Film and New Media, and Global Arts.

Complementing its higher education mission, the university also operates a Music High School and research facilities associated with the Faculty of Music, fostering a seamless pipeline for artistic talent and scholarship.





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