School of Art Graduate Program Rises in National Rankings
The University of Tennessee School of Art’s graduate program has been recognized as one of the best in the nation. The fine arts program currently ranks seventh among public universities, according to the U.S. News & World Report’s recently released 2026 Best Graduate Schools rankings.
The new ranking marks a notable rise from the publication’s 2021 report, where the SOA’s overall graduate program was listed as 22nd among public institutions, with the printmaking area ranked third (U.S. News & World Report no longer ranks programs by media-specific area).
“Our faculty and staff’s unwavering commitment to our graduate students is reflected in the significant increase in our rankings in both the public and overall categories,” said Christopher McNulty, School of Art Director. “Our alumni are thriving professionally after graduation, and their remarkable record of success has not gone unnoticed.”
The increase in rankings reflects the department’s investment in students “as artists, researchers, and emerging professionals,” said Emily Bivens, Director of Graduate Studies and Professor of Time-Based Art and Cinema Studies.
“By cultivating strong, supportive cohorts, amplifying student voices, and prioritizing research opportunities, professional practice, and the ambitious work our students produce, we have built a culture where students are equipped to thrive both within the program and beyond it,” Bivens continued.
“We owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to our current students and alumni, whose generosity, creativity, and accomplishments continue to shape the identity and reach of the program in so many different fields and communities.”
The School of Art offers a three-year Master of Fine Arts degree with concentrations in Sculpture, Time-Based Art, Ceramics, Painting and Drawing, and Printmaking. Read about the MFA here, and read the University of Tennessee’s story on the 2026 graduate program rankings here.