Master of Fine Arts in USA is a 2 years graduate degree program for international students. To get admission to the program, an applicant must have a 3-4 years of undergraduate degree in a related field. A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (83-86%) is required for admission to Master of Fine Arts in the top universities in USA. Students needed a GRE score of around 167 in verbal and quants for admission to the program. Almost 300 universities offer MFA in the USA.

The average tuition fee for Master of Fine Arts in USA generally ranges between 22,000 to 50,000 USD (18 to 41 lakhs INR) for an international student. Master of Fine Arts graduates in USA earn an average salary of 50,000 to 100,000 USD per year (40 to 80 lakhs INR). MFA graduates in USA reportedly experience up to 48% salary growth in mid-career within a range of 5 years.
Explore: High Paying Jobs in USA

Master of Fine Arts in USA: Course Highlights

Program Master of Fine Arts in USA
Program Duration 2 years
Eligibility Bachelor's degree in related course
Average GPA 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 (83-86%)
English Proficiency Requirements IELTS score of 79
Tuition Fee Range 22,000 to 50,000 USD (18 to 41 lakhs INR)
Average Salary Range 50,000 to 100,000 USD per year (40 to 80 lakhs INR)

Top Universities for Master of Fine Arts in USA

Here are some of the top universities in USA that are offering Master of Fine Arts. The fee structure of different prestigious universities along with their worldwide ranking is mentioned below:

University Program Deadlines Tuition Fee (USD)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Masters of Fine Arts January 5, 2023 39,700
Stanford University Master of Fine Arts (Art Practice) November 1, 2023 | January 5, 2023 36,700
Pratt Institute Masters of Fine Arts January 5, 2023 38,000
Rhode Island School of Design Master of Fine Arts February 1, 2023 40,000
The New School Master of Fine Arts June 15, 2023 42,000
School of the Art Institute of Chicago Masters of Fine Arts: Film, Video, Media and Animation April 15, 2023 38,400
Art Center College of Design Masters of Fine Arts February 1, 2023 38,300
California Institute of the Arts Master of Fine Arts: Art and Technology January 5, 2023 37,700
Carnegie Mellon University Master of Fine Arts January 3, 2023 37,600
California College of the Arts Master of Fine Arts August 1, 2023 35,300

Why Study Master of Fine Arts in USA?

USA offers a safe and welcoming environment for international students planning for their high-quality education. Some of the significant factors to consider Master of Fine Arts in USA are as follows:

  • More than 300 universities in USA offer the Master of Fine Arts program.
  • Students can choose both residential and non residential MFA programs in USA.
  • Fine Arts Jobs in USA have an increasing demand. Graduates get a plethora of employment opportunities across the globe with a Master of Fine Arts degree in USA.

Master of Fine Arts in USA Admissions

A strong academic record and completed entrance exam is a must for admission to Master of Fine Arts in US universities. In your application, you will need to include your transcripts, CV, and SOP. Students can apply online by themselves or through agents.

When your application will successfully be reviewed, you might be contacted further for an interview. After your interview, the admissions committee will make a decision on whether or not to admit you into the program.

Master of Fine Arts in USA: Eligibility Criteria

The required eligibility criteria for most of the universities is mentioned below:

  • Academic Degree: A 4-year bachelor's degree is required for admission to Universities in USA.
  • Minimum GPA: An applicant requires to acquire a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 which means somewhere between 83-92% in order to secure admission to top universities.
  • GRE or GMAT Score: Admitted students demonstrate an average GRE score of 168 in quants across various universities. 640 to 750 is the average GMAT score of the candidates selected.
  • English Proficiency Test Score: The minimum TOEFL score required for Master of Fine Arts in USA varies between 78 to 105 across different universities. Students can submit equivalent scores of IELTS, PTE, or related tests.
  • SOP: A detailed SOP telling the objective of the students to pursue the particular course is required by many universities. An SOP Should ideally be around 550 words.
  • Letters of Recommendation: 1-3 LORs from professional and academic supervisors are required for being eligible for admission.
  • Coursework: Coursework in Arts, Choreography, graphic designing, and scriptwriting is required.
  • Experience: Students need at least 1-2 years of full-time experience for admission to Master of Fine Arts in USA. A considerable internship experience is also accepted by some of the universities in USA.

Master of Fine Arts in USA: Admission Requirements

For admission to Master of Fine Arts in USA, students need an undergraduate degree in a relevant area. Alternatively, you may be able to get admission with a 3 year undergraduate degree and some relevant work experience. The following table includes some of the top universities for Master of Fine Arts in USA and their respective admission requirements:

University Academic Requirement GRE Score Minimum TOEFL Score Additional Documents
Massachusetts Institute of Technology 4 years degree with GPA 3.0 to 3.6 (83-90%) 167 87 CV or Resume | Knowledge of Fine Arts
Stanford University Undergraduate degree with competitive GPA (No bar on GPA) 167 79 Resume | SOP
Pratt Institute 4 years degree with GPA above 3.0 167 82 Resume or CV
School of the Art Institute of Chicago 4 years degree with GPA above 3.0 167 85 CV or resume
Parsons School of Design at The New School A 4 years degree along with GPA above 3.0 out of 4.0 (83-86%) is required 169 90-105 Essay questions | Resume
Rhode Island School of Design A 4 Years degree along with GPA of 3.0 to 3.6 is required 168 80-100 Resume or CV | SOP
Art Center College of Design 4 years degree with GPA of 3.0 to 3.6 167 88 Essay | SOP | writing skills
California Institute of the Arts 4 years degree 166 82 Resume | CV | SOP
Carnegie Mellon University 4 years degree 163 82 CV or Resume
California College of the Arts Undergraduate degree 162 79 Resume or CV | Essay | SOP

Master of Fine Arts in USA Tuition Fees

The tuition cost for Master of Fine Arts in USA depends on the university you choose to attend. The top universities in USA charge around 30,000 to 60,000 USD (24.5 to 49 lakhs INR) per year in tuition fee for MFA in USA. The tuition fees for MFA in the top universities in USA are as follows:

University Tuition Fee (USD) Equivalent Tuition Fee (INR)
Parsons School of Design at New School 50,000 40.81 lakhs
Rhode Island School of Design 56,435 46.06 lakhs
Massachusetts Institute of Technology 28,795 23.50 lakhs
School of the Art Institute of Chicago 51,900 42.36 lakhs
Art Center College of Design 25,863 21.10 lakhs
Pratt Institute 59,000 48.15 lakhs
California Institute of the Arts 54,440 44.43 lakhs
Carnegie Mellon University 72,800 59.42 lakhs
Stanford University 56,487 46.10 lakhs
California College of the Arts 51,180 41.77 lakhs

Cost of Living in USA

The cost of living in USA can vary depending on the city you choose to live in. The average monthly cost of utilities for a single person in USA ranges between 10,000 to 15,000 USD. A complete breakdown of the cost of living in USA is provided below:

Expense Type Annual Cost (USD) Annual Cost (INR)
Accommodation 9,800 8,05,839
Meals 500 41,114
Transportation 600 49,337
Health Insurance 800 65,782
Personal Expenses 300 24,668
Total 12,000 9,86,742

Master of Fine Arts in USA Scholarships

As the demand for skilled Fine Arts experts continues to rise, many students are wondering how to pursue a Master of Fine Arts. USA is home to some of the world’s top universities for Fine Arts studies, making it an excellent choice for students looking to enter this rapidly-growing field.

Various scholarships are available for students pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in USA. The USA government offers several scholarships specifically for Fine Arts studies, including the Endeavour Scholarship and Fellowship Program and USA Postgraduates Award.

Scholarship Eligibility Amount
PEO International Peace Scholarship For Women International female students pursuing different graduate programs from USA. 12,500 USD
Obama Foundation Scholars Program Students pursuing masters degree in the USA demonstrate academic excellence. Monthly living stipend, full tuition fee, and required funds for the course material and books
Fully-Funded Rotary Peace Fellowships Students pursuing masters degrees in the USA demonstrate academic excellence. tuition fee, room expenses
Civil Society Leadership Award Students pursuing masters degrees in the USA demonstrating academic excellence Living expenses, travel and tuition expenses, and required monthly stipend

Explore: Popular Scholarships to Study in USA

Master of Fine Arts in USA Placements

There are plenty of job options available to those with a master’s degree in Fine Arts. Here are some of the most popular career paths:

Jobs Annual Salary (USD) Salary Equivalent (INR)
Multimedia Artists 65,000 53 lakhs
Animator 74,100 60.52 lakhs
Graphic designer 63,800 52.11 lakhs
Art Gallery Manager 46,000 37 lakhs
Fine Artist 67,200 54 lakhs

Master of Fine Arts in USA Return on Investment

In USA, MFA graduates get a high return on investment. A comparison of the annual tuition fee and average salary of some of the top universities offering MFA in USA are as follows:

University Annual Tuition fee (USD) Average Graduate Salary (USD)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology 39,700 49,000
Stanford University 36,700 40,000
Pratt Institute 38,000 43,400
California Institute of the Arts 37,700 40,800
Carnegie Mellon University 37,600 40,600
School of the Art Institute of Chicago 38,400 45,000
Art Center College of Design 38,300 44,800
Parsons School of Design at The New School 42,000 55,000
Rhode Island School of Design 40,000 49,700
California College of the Arts 35,30 39,900

Master of Fine Arts in USA vs Canada

Here is a comparison of some of the top universities in different countries that offer this degree.

Parameters MFA in USA MFA in Canada
Duration 2 years 2 years
Average Tuition Fee 30 lakhs INR 32 lakhs INR
Average Salary 60,000 USD (49 lakhs INR) 98,000 CAD (59.87 lakhs INR)
English Language Proficiency Test TOEFL score of 80-100 | IELTS score of 6.0-7.0 TOEFL Score of 80 and above | IELTS score of 6.0-7.0
Cost of Living 20,000 USD (16.34 lakhs INR) 15,000 CAD (9.16 lakhs INR)
Top Universities Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Stanford University McGill University | University of Toronto

When it comes to choosing a Master of Fine Arts in USA, students get numerous options. With so many universities to choose from, it can be hard to find your perfect fit. Check the admission requirements and average score of the previously accepted students to know about your chance of securing admission to a desired university for MFA in USA.

FAQs

Ques. What is the best university for Master of Fine Arts in USA?

Ans. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, Pratt Institute, Carnegie Mellon University are some of the popular institutes offering Master of Fine Arts in USA.

Ques. What are the entry requirements for Master of Fine Arts in USA?

Ans. MFA programs in USA will require you to have an undergraduate degree in a relevant field, such as a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts programs. Students need a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (83-86%) for admission to the top ranked universities in USA.

Ques. How long does it take to complete a Master of Fine Arts in USA?

Ans. Generally a full time Master of Fine Arts take 2 years of study to complete. However, some universities offer part-time or online options which may allow you to complete your degree more quickly.

Ques. Is Master of Fine Arts in USA better than in Canada?

Ans. Master of Fine Arts in USA is better than in Canada because the universities in Fine Arts in USA are best recognized in the world. They offer world-class education for this degree.

Ques. What kinds of jobs are available for Students after Master of Fine Arts in USA?

Ans. The popular professions pursued by students after Master of Fine Arts in USA includes choreographers, illustrators, animators, and Art Gallery Managers.

Ques. What is the difference between Master of Arts and Fine Arts?

Ans. Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts are two different degrees, with Master of Arts centered all aspects of Art. Master of Fine Arts consists of different subjects like painting, and art study, while Master of Arts consists of subjects like sociology, geography etc.