Master of Fine Arts in USA: Top Universities, Deadlines, Admissions, Fees, Scholarships, Placements
Master of Fine Arts in USAAre you seeking a career in a Master of Fine Arts program in the USA? Master of Fine Arts is a 2 year, postgraduate degree program within a related field. The interested students who want to take admission to this course require at least a 3.0 score on a 4.0 scale (83-86%) in GPA for entering the top universities in the USA.
The top universities that provide a Master of Fine Arts in the USA are the University of California, Los Angeles, Yale University, Pratt Institute, Rhode Island School of Design, and Stanford University. As per the last years, the deadlines for applying to the top universities for Master of Fine Arts in the USA lie between January 9 to January 15. The tuition fee on an average basis for studying a Master’s of Fine Arts in the USA generally ranges between $30,000-$80,000 (₹2,400,000 to ₹6,600,000) for an international student.
Students after pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in the USA get placed as Marketing Director, Executive Producer, Operations Manager, Creative Director, Art Teacher, and many more. The USA provides the students with a safe and welcoming environment who are planning to pursue a high-quality education. The graduates of the Master of Fine Arts in the USA have reported experiencing a 48% growth in their salary in the middle of their careers in a range of 5 years.
Master of Fine Arts in the USA: Details
Refer to the tabular overview, which provides quick detail of the Master of Fine Arts in the USA, with the duration, top schools, intake seasons and average cost.
Particulars | Details |
Course | Master of Fine Arts in the USA |
Duration | 2 years |
Eligibility | 3 to 4 years undergraduate degree in any related field |
Top schools | Yale University, Rhode Island School of Design, University of California, Los Angeles, Stanford University |
Tuition fees | $30,000-$80,000 (₹2,400,000 to ₹6,600,000) |
Average cost | $10,000-$15,000 (₹830,000 to ₹1,245,000) |
Intake seasons | Fall intake during August to September, as well as Spring intake during January to February |
Master of Fine Arts in the USA: Important Dates and Events
The important dates and events for the starting and ending dates of the application, visa application timeline and scholarship deadline are significant for the applicants as they will be aware of the upcoming information that will help them have a smooth admission process.
Master of Fine Arts in the USA: Deadlines for Top Universities
Most of the top universities in the USA start to accept applications for the Master of Fine Arts (MFA program) in the Fall semester in September. The application deadlines range from December to February. Based on the trends of the last years, the deadlines of the universities are presented below for the courses in the top universities.
University | Program | Deadline |
University of California, Los Angeles | Master of Fine Arts | January 9, 2024 |
Stanford University | Master of Fine Arts (Art Practice) | December 1, 2023 |
Yale University | Master of Fine Arts | January 10, 2024 |
Stanford University | Master of Fine Arts (Art Practice) | December 1, 2023 |
Pratt Institute | Master of Fine Arts | January 5, 2024 |
Rhode Island School of Design | Master of Fine Arts | January 5, 2024 |
The New School | Master of Fine Arts | January 5, 2024 |
ArtCenter College of Design | Master of Fine Arts | January 15, 2024 |
Master of Fine Arts in the USA: Visa Application Timeline
The process of applying for a visa in the USA for a Master of Fine Arts for global students is based on effective steps. This includes the application to the university, getting a 1-20 Form and then proceeding with the application for the student visa of F-1. It is suggested to begin the application process within a minimum of one year before the intended start date of the course.
Master of Fine Arts in the USA: Scholarship Deadline for 2025
Most of the deadlines fall between the months of October and December for the Fall semesters and August and September for the Spring semesters. However, the deadlines for the scholarships for the MFA in the USA differ by institution as well as scholarship program.
Master of Fine Arts in the USA: Fees
The tuition fees for students studying a Master of Fine Arts in the USA vary from one university to another. Refer to the table below that presents the tuition fees of the MFA in the USA for various universities.
University | Tuition Fee ($) | Tuition Fee (₹) |
University of California, Los Angeles | 33,238 | 2,760,000 |
Stanford University | 64,176 | 5,340,000 |
Yale University | 45,285 | 3,770,000 |
Pratt Institute | 61,470 | 5,110,000 |
Rhode Island School of Design | 58,690 | 4,880,000 |
The New School | 52,380 | 4,360,000 |
ArtCenter College of Design | 80,226 | 6,680,000 |
The living costs in the USA can differ based on the city the students choose to live in. The expense type and its annual cost are detailed below.
Type of Expense | Yearly cost ($) | Yearly cost (₹) |
Accomodation | 9,800 | 8,05,839 |
Transportation | 600 | 49,337 |
Meals | 500 | 41,114 |
Health Insurance | 800 | 65,782 |
Personal Expenses | 300 | 24,668 |
Total | 12,000 | 9,86,742 |
Different types of scholarships or financial aid opportunities are available for students who study a Master of Fine Arts in the USA. The US government provides scholarships to students for Fine Arts studies, such as the Endeavour Scholarship, the USA Postgraduate Award and the Fellowship Program.
Scholarship | Eligibility | Amount |
PEO International Peace Scholarship For Women | Global female students who pursue various graduate programs in the USA | $12,500 (₹1,037,500) |
Fully-Funded Rotary Peace Fellowships | Academic excellence among the students who pursue a Master's degree in the USA | Room expenses, Tuition fee |
Obama Foundation Scholars Program | Full tuition fee, monthly living stipend, and needed funds for the course books and course material | |
Civil Society Leadership Award | Tuition as well as travel expenses, a required monthly stipend and living expenses |
Why Choose a Master of Fine Arts in the USA?
Significant factors are present that engage the students to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in the USA. They are.
Career benefits: Jobs in Fine Arts in the USA have a huge demand, as graduates get a lot of employment opportunities with a Master of Fine Arts degree in the USA.
Global exposure: Students who study a Master's degree in Fine Arts in the USA can get access to the state-of-the-art university campuses, an internationally recognised working degree and world-class faculty.
Networking: Students can get the benefits from a dynamic community of visiting artists, peers and knowledgeable faculty members.
Check: Study in USA
Master of Fine Arts in the USA: Admissions
A strong academic record as well as a completed entrance exam should be considered during admission of students to the universities offering Master of Fine Arts in the USA.
Required degrees: A bachelor’s degree, having a duration of 4 years, is needed to get admitted to the USA universities for pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in the USA.
English proficiency: A strong English proficiency is required to be present among the candidates by observing the test scores in TOEFL, IELTS and PTE or related tests. The minimum score of TEFL that is needed by the students differs between 78 to 100 in various universities.
Master of Fine Arts in the USA: Eligibility Criteria – Category-wise
The eligibility criteria for an MFA degree in the USA in terms of freshers and experienced, academic performance and language test scores are.
Particulars | Freshers | Experienced |
Academic performance | Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts or related field with at least a 3.0 GPA (approx. 83%) | Same as freshers, however, additional diplomas or certifications within the arts |
English Proficiency with language test scores | TOEFL 80-100 iBT or IELTS 6.5-7.0 | TOEFL 80-100 iBT or IELTS 6.5-7.0 |
Experience | Students having 1 to 2 years of full-time experience and a considerable internship are also preferred by some universities | Students having 1 to 3 years of professional experience, teaching or freelance work |
Master of Fine Arts in the USA: Application Process
Students are required to follow the steps of the application process for admission to the Master's in Fine Arts in the USA.
Master of Fine Arts in the USA: GPA Requirements
At least a score of 3.0 out of 4.0 GPA should be obtained by the applicants, which means more or less between 83-92% to secure their admission to the top universities.
Master of Fine Arts in the USA: SOP, LOR, and Resume
An in-depth SOP that states the goal of the students to study the specific course is needed, and it must be around 550 words. 1 to 3 letters of recommendation (LORs) from academic and professional supervisors are needed to get the eligibility for admission. The students should include a one-page resume that details education, artistic experience, awards, skills, exhibitions and portfolio link and transcripts are needed for admission to the Master of Fine Arts in the USA.
Master of Fine Arts in the USA: University-Specific Admission Steps
The admission steps for MFA in the USA, as per the universities, are.
University | Academic requirements | Minimum TOEFL score (Cutoff) | Additional documents |
University of California, Los Angeles | 4-year degree with GPA score of 3.0 (83-86%) | 87 |
|
Stanford University | Undergraduate degree with competitive GPA (No bar on GPA) | 79 |
|
Pratt Institute | 4-year degree with a GPA score of more than 3.0 | 82 | CV or Resume |
Rhode Island School of Design | A 4-year degree with a GPA of 3/0 to 3.6 is needed | 80-100 |
|
ArtCenter College of Design | 4-year degree with a GPA score between 3.0-3.6 | 88 |
|
Top Entrance Exams for Master of Fine Arts in the USA
IELTS/TOEFL are the top entrance exams needed for a Master of Fine Arts in the USA.
Master of Fine Arts in the USA: IELTS/TOEFL Tips
- Understanding the format of the questions
- Practising academic vocabulary for the arts, creative concepts for reading, as well as speaking
- Enhancing listening skills for art podcasts, gallery talks
- Speaking confidently and clearly
Master of Fine Arts Seats in the USA
The seats in the top universities/colleges for the Master of Fine Arts in the USA are.
Master of Fine Arts in the USA: Seats in Public Universities
There is a range of 18 to 25 seats available for the top public university, which is the University of California, Los Angeles.
Master of Fine Arts in the USA: Seats in Private Universities
The seats for top private universities/colleges that offer a Master of Fine Arts in the USA are.
University | Seats for MFA in a year |
Stanford University | 8 to 10 seats |
Yale University | 50 to 60 seats total across the specialisations |
Pratt Institute | 30 to 35 seats |
Rhode Island School of Design | 50 to 60 seats total, which differ by discipline |
The New School | 30 to 35 seats |
ArtCenter College of Design | 20 to 25 seats |
Master of Fine Arts in the USA: Syllabus
The syllabus of the Master of Fine Arts in the USA is dependent on the core courses and electives, and specialisations.
Master of Fine Arts in the USA: Core Courses
Practical studio work, thesis exhibition, theoretical studies or performance are the core courses of the Master of Fine Arts in the USA.
Master of Fine Arts in the USA: Electives & Specialisations
The electives of the Master of Fine Arts in the USA include Creative Writing, Filmmaking, Performing Arts, and Design. The specialisations for Master of Fine Arts in the USA include Sculpture, Painting, Ceramics, Graphic Design, Acting, Film, Photography, and Creative Writing, which involves poetry and playwriting.
Top Universities/Colleges for Master of Fine Arts in the USA
Master of Fine Arts in the USA: Global Rankings for Indian Applicants
The global rankings of the top universities for Indian applicants are listed below.
University | Ranking |
Yale University | 1st in the USA in terms of Fine Arts |
Rhode Island School of Design | Top 3 internationally |
University of California, Los Angeles | Top 5 in the USA and the top 20 internationally |
The New School | Top 5 globally |
Pratt Institute | Top 15 worldwide |
Stanford University | Top 20 globally |
ArtCenter College of Design | Top 20 internationally |
Master of Fine Arts in the USA vs India
The comparison table shows a difference between the Master of Fine Arts in the USA.
Particulars | USA | India |
Duration | 2 to 3 years | 2 years |
Criteria for admission | SOP, strong portfolio, TOEFL/IELTS and recommendations | Portfolio or entrance exam, interview |
Cost | Fees are high (₹2,000,000 – ₹5,000,000), and available scholarships | Fees are affordable (₹1,00,000 – ₹3,00,000), and limited scholarships |
International recognition | Strong global career prospects and hugely recognised internationally | Recognised on a regional basis and has less international exposure |
Job benefits | Teaching, design, curatorial, media industries and global art markets | Regional galleries, teaching and freelance practice |
Career Scope After Master of Fine Arts in the USA
There is a wide career scope for students after studying a Master of Fine Arts in the USA. This involves the Marketing Director, Executive Producer, Operations Manager, Creative Director, Art Director, Video Producer, Professor of Art, Videographer, Associate Professor and much more.
Master of Fine Arts in the USA: Top Recruiters/Placement Companies
The top recruiters or placement companies who provide jobs to the students after pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in the USA are art studios, advertising agencies, film production organisations and educational institutions.
Master of Fine Arts in the USA: Salary Package
The salary package after completing a Master of Fine Arts in the USA is shown below.
Master of Fine Arts in the USA: Average Salary in the UK
£24,000 to £36,000 (₹2,592,000 to ₹3,888,000) is the average salary range that is provided by UK companies to individuals who have pursued a Master of Fine Arts in the USA.
Master of Fine Arts in the USA: Average Salary for Indian Students
A comparison table shows the average salary provided to students in various positions in the USA and India.
Title of the job | Average Salary ($) | Average Salary (₹) |
Art Teacher | 40,380 | 3,360,000 |
Professor of Art | 62,968 | 5,240,000 |
Art Director | 67,275 | 5,600,000 |
Operations Manager | 72,295 | 6,020,000 |
Assistant Professor | 59,334 | 4,940,000 |
Associate Professor | 63,044 | 5,250,000 |
Video Producer | 68,736 | 5,720,000 |
Marketing Director | 108,895 | 9,060,000 |
Executive Producer | 102,079 | 8,500,000 |
Creative Director | 86,279 | 7,180,000 |
Videographer | 50,879 | 4,230,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques: Can the Indian students in 2025 get worth after studying a Master of Fine Arts in USA?
Ans: Yes, the course will be valuable to the Indian students after completing a Master of Fine Arts in USA. This is because the students will obtain the global skills and competencies required for fine arts after being exposed internationally, and get strong career prospects in designing and creative industries.
Ques: Can the Indian students settle abroad after completing a Master of Fine Arts in USA?
Ans: The Indian students have the opportunity to settle abroad after completing an MFA degree in the USA through application for artist visas and develop strong career networks. Additionally, the Indian students can have the advantage of gaining sponsorships, developing strong connections with the industry, and obtaining permanent residency.
Ques: Is there any availability of freshers for the Master of Fine Arts in USA?
Ans: Yes, the freshers with strong academic performance, an effective portfolio, along with internships, are eligible to study the Master of Fine Arts in the USA. Additionally, the interest for freshers to apply for Master of Fine Arts in USA depends on the diversity of backgrounds and focus on unique and creative perspectives of various individuals.
Ques: Are there any placement opportunities after pursuing an MFA in USA?
Ans: Yes, there are a lot of placement opportunities after studying a Master of Fine Arts in the USA, such as Executive Producer, Operations Manager, Marketing Director, Creative Director, and Art Teacher. Moreover, advertising agencies, film studios, museums, design organisations, and theatres are other placements that can be provided to the students pursuing this course.
Ques: How much is the average tuition fee of a Master of Fine Arts in the USA?
Ans: The average tuition fee for an MFA in the USA generally varies between $30,000-$80,000 (₹2,400,000 to ₹6,600,000) in terms of an international student. This fee excludes the material costs, living expenses, and health insurance that are needed for the practical courses based in the studio.