Private Art Schools vs State University vs Online

Reputable private art schools are exceptional at what they do…teach art at the highest level. They do however, come with an astronomical price tag. Current tuition for a degree from private art schools matches the price tag for medical school. This leaves the potential student with some serious things to consider.

Private and even state art schools can bury students under heavy student loans. (Photo Credit: 123RF.com Image ID: 40765837 Copyright: Narongrit Suebnunta)

First of all, do you really need an art degree?

For some professions, like teaching K-12 or at a college level, you do need a degree. But for most jobs that require you to actually create artwork, most companies want to see your portfolio, not your degree. In other words, they want to see your work. What can you do? What can you bring to the table? What’s your style? Are you and your artwork a good fit?

More often than not, companies hiring artists are more impressed by what’s in your portfolio rather than your degree. (Photo Credit: Myra Naito)

If your primary goal is simply to learn how to draw, paint, sculpt, etc., but have no career goals beyond that, then you might really want to consider other options. Cheaper options. There’s no need to rack up a ton of student loans. Just to give you some perspective on private art schools, Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA is currently at $22,888 per term (art supplies, lab fees, parking not included). So, unless you were born with the proverbial silver spoon in your mouth or are a trust fund kid, you’re looking at quite a hefty total by the time you graduate. However, they are the best at what they do and so they can demand high tuition prices. You can pretty much count on all of your instructors being active in their respective industries. Mine for example, all worked on movies from Disney, Pixar, and other major production studios. This is generally not the case at the state college level.

Are you cut out for private art schools?

Private art schools are really the boot camp of all art schools. It is incredibly difficult to hold down even a part time job if you hope to survive, much less do well in school. All-nighters are not at all uncommon and neither is burnout. So, if you’re not the high stress type, then the private school option might not be for you.

(Photo Credit: 123RF.com Image ID: 39635406 Copyright: Dmitrii Shironosov)

State colleges are great for a general art education. It’s nowhere near bootcamp intensity so the stress level is much more manageable. Community colleges are even cheaper and can teach you the basics just as well for an even cheaper price tag. Remember, if you’re not after a degree or a specific career goal, then why bury yourself under student loans?

Do you have a job that might interfere with your classes?

Both private and state schools will require you to modify your work schedule, if you have one. If this isn’t an option, then consider online art classes. The vast majority of them are very reasonably priced. In addition, you can go at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home. Most of the ones that I’m aware of have online social media groups where you can post your work to get feedback on your progress. Many have live YouTube sessions where you can follow along with live how-to’s, critiques, etc. much like you would get in a traditional classroom. Even some of the slightly more expensive online courses are still a mere fraction of the cost of private art schools or even state universities.

The online option allows you to cherry pick what courses to take. If you only want to learn how to draw portraits, find the class and sign up. Want a more traditional course? Those online schools are out there too. Already know how to draw and want to learn how to paint in watercolor, oils, or acrylics? Go out there and find the course. Want to learn animation? That’s out there too. Pastels and color pencil? Yep, you guessed it!

My point here is, unless you need a degree, why incur the potentially huge cost if you don’t have to? When it comes to plopping down that much money, make sure it’s what you really want and what you really need to do.