Art at NIU
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science
Explore artistic expression to find your own creative path.
When you major in art at NIU, you join a talented group of students, artists, designers and scholars. Our community will help you make connections and prepare for a variety of careers as you learn art technique, history and design. As one of the best and most comprehensive public university art programs in the nation, we'll expand your art expertise within a broader context of general study.
What Can I Do With an Art Degree From NIU?
The skills you gain in communication, problem-solving and leadership will help you reach your personal and professional goals. An art degree from NIU is excellent preparation for creative careers in a range of fields.
Top skills reported by alumni:
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Advertising
- Graphic design
- Marketing
- Social media
Top fields alumni work in:
- Arts and entertainment
- Consumer goods
- Education
- Information technology
- Media
Other Programs to Consider
Career Potential for NIU Art Majors
Average mid-career salary:
$77,536
Top employers include:
- Aldi USA
- Allstate
- Jewel-Osco
- Northwestern Medicine
Job titles include:
- Art director
- Art teacher
- Creative manager/director
- Graphic designer/artist
- Manager
- Photographer
Source: Steppingblocks, 2023
What to Expect as an Art Major at NIU
You can get a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in art. While both include the study of art, design and art history within a broader general education context, the B.S. focuses more on science, math and related areas. In both programs, you’ll learn about complex systems, creative markets and new technologies, preparing you for a range of personal and professional endeavors.
Related Websites
How We’ll Help You Succeed
Apply for free and we’ll automatically consider you for a renewable merit scholarship.
Earn your bachelor’s degree fast with our affordable tuition and fees. Any credit hours you take over 12 are free (per semester).
Prepare to thrive after graduation with personalized support from Career Services.
With our truth-in-tuition policy, you’ll get the same fixed tuition rate for four continuous years, whether you live in Illinois or another state.
Apply to NIU
First-year Students
(Freshman)
High School GPA
3.0 or higher?
You're guaranteed general NIU admission.
ACT/SAT SCORES
Not considered.
We think your high school GPA is a better predictor of your success.
Transfer Students
ALL COLLEGES GPA
2.0 or higher?
You're guaranteed general NIU admission.
ALL COLLEGES GPA
3.0 or higher?
You're guaranteed a
renewable merit scholarship.