3 answers
Giavanna
Student
Rochester, New York
2
Questions
Asked
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Is there an advantage to pursuing a BFA at a private specialized art school versus a larger (more affordable) state university?
I am currently finishing my assoicate degree and will be transferring to a 4 year university to pursue a BFA in Illustration. My goal is to eventually create graphic novels.
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3 answers
Kim Matthews
Graphic Production Designer and Sculptor
135
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hello Giavanna,
I think it depends on the schools--who teaches in your specialty, and are there any profs out there whose artwork really resonates with you? What kind of background do they have in terms of education, professional experience, ongoing publications, and so on? If you have the good fortune to be able to choose between more or less expensive schools, I'd check out the facilities of each, how much support there is for the specific discipline (facilities, student exhibitions, publications, community, relevant local organizations, and so on) and see if the cost difference seems worth it.
If you go to grad school, then a more prestigious school might be worthwhile because it might offer networking opportunities you wouldn't get at a state school.
Hopefully some illustrators and sequential artists will weigh in here and provide some more specific guidance.
Wish you the best in all your endeavors.
I think it depends on the schools--who teaches in your specialty, and are there any profs out there whose artwork really resonates with you? What kind of background do they have in terms of education, professional experience, ongoing publications, and so on? If you have the good fortune to be able to choose between more or less expensive schools, I'd check out the facilities of each, how much support there is for the specific discipline (facilities, student exhibitions, publications, community, relevant local organizations, and so on) and see if the cost difference seems worth it.
If you go to grad school, then a more prestigious school might be worthwhile because it might offer networking opportunities you wouldn't get at a state school.
Hopefully some illustrators and sequential artists will weigh in here and provide some more specific guidance.
Wish you the best in all your endeavors.
Thank you, Kim. I appreciate you answering. That does help a lot and I am realizing that the smaller specialized school does seem like it has many more internship opportunities and connections in a more culturally rich city, so that may be worth the extra cost. The state school is in a remote town and the staff has admitted that internships are sometimes available, but rare. Thank you for bringing up the thought of grad school too, that gives me something to consider. If I think the BFA is as far as I plan to go for now, it might makes sense to spend a little more, but if considering continuing on then maybe going state school now and more prestigious for MFA would make more sense.
Giavanna
You're very welcome. Everything is changing so quickly, it's hard to know what work will look like in the future. Do what you can to avoid taking on excessive debt and get as much practical experience now as you can. Start building a portfolio of publications if you haven't already. Oh--and one other thing: You can always transfer, so you might consider taking intro courses at a less expensive school. Whatever you do, I strongly suggest getting as well-rounded an education as you can, learn how to be flexible, adaptable, and how to solve problems. Those skills and education will help you no matter what you need to do to support your art.
Kim Matthews
Ellen Rosenthal
Retired Art Teacher
237
Answers
Woodbridge, Virginia
Updated
Ellen’s Answer
Hi Giovanna,
As a previous response pointed out, it does depend on the school and the program. It seems that you have already made up your mind of which way to go, but here are some other things to think about on a more general level.
An art school will give you a more concentrated experience in studio art. You might have to take some classes in other other subjects, but the focus for you and, your teachers, and your fellow students will be on studio art. With this focus might have more opportunities for art related internships available, which can be helpful in getting references and job offers. If it is an art school with an elite reputation, then that name recognition may give you even more opportunities in terms of interviews and internships. However, small private art schools are usually pretty expensive, and not all of them have endowments that could offer much in the way of scholarships. So, unless your family can afford your full tuition, you need to think about how much student debt you are willing take on, keeping in mind that entry level art jobs often do not pay much.
At a state university, you will have a less art focused experience, as you might have to take classes in other subjects to meet the university's requirements. The other students you'll meet may not all be interested in the art world, but will have other areas of study. This is not such a bad thing, as having a well-rounded education is always an advantage to artists in terms of the ideas and subjects they want to address in their artworks and designs. In terms of getting internships or jobs, the name of the university may not be much of a help, but this means you'll have to work finding these opportunities and work on your portfolio to the best of your ability, and you'll have to earn some strong recommendations from your teachers. Of course a big advantage of a state university is the tuition will be lower, which could mean less student debt.
You might do some research on how much entry level illustrators make on their own (as freelancers) or as employees of design studios or other agencies in your area. Visit your current school's career center (if there is one), or ask a librarian at your school or local public library for help researching this.
I suggest that on interviews, you ask each school what percentage of their recent graduates are working somewhere in an art related job. Ask if they have career placement assistance in terms of a career center or a career advisor. Ask about internship opportunities that the school supports. If you can, talk to students at each institution and try to gauge how optimistic they are about finding art jobs after graduation.
Best wishes!
As a previous response pointed out, it does depend on the school and the program. It seems that you have already made up your mind of which way to go, but here are some other things to think about on a more general level.
An art school will give you a more concentrated experience in studio art. You might have to take some classes in other other subjects, but the focus for you and, your teachers, and your fellow students will be on studio art. With this focus might have more opportunities for art related internships available, which can be helpful in getting references and job offers. If it is an art school with an elite reputation, then that name recognition may give you even more opportunities in terms of interviews and internships. However, small private art schools are usually pretty expensive, and not all of them have endowments that could offer much in the way of scholarships. So, unless your family can afford your full tuition, you need to think about how much student debt you are willing take on, keeping in mind that entry level art jobs often do not pay much.
At a state university, you will have a less art focused experience, as you might have to take classes in other subjects to meet the university's requirements. The other students you'll meet may not all be interested in the art world, but will have other areas of study. This is not such a bad thing, as having a well-rounded education is always an advantage to artists in terms of the ideas and subjects they want to address in their artworks and designs. In terms of getting internships or jobs, the name of the university may not be much of a help, but this means you'll have to work finding these opportunities and work on your portfolio to the best of your ability, and you'll have to earn some strong recommendations from your teachers. Of course a big advantage of a state university is the tuition will be lower, which could mean less student debt.
You might do some research on how much entry level illustrators make on their own (as freelancers) or as employees of design studios or other agencies in your area. Visit your current school's career center (if there is one), or ask a librarian at your school or local public library for help researching this.
I suggest that on interviews, you ask each school what percentage of their recent graduates are working somewhere in an art related job. Ask if they have career placement assistance in terms of a career center or a career advisor. Ask about internship opportunities that the school supports. If you can, talk to students at each institution and try to gauge how optimistic they are about finding art jobs after graduation.
Best wishes!
Ellen, thank you so much for your response. I especially appreciate the questions you suggested to ask. Those are great and will help me make an informed decision.
Giavanna
Priscilla Rall
Teacher
18
Answers
Rocky Ridge, MD
Updated
Priscilla’s Answer
I agree with previous comments. I attended Cornell School of Art and Architecture so am biased towards specialized school. More individual connections which will help with networking in the future. At a large university there is not the same connections. Some universties have a 5 year program for a MFA as well. Well worth it. Good luck!