Art A.F.A.
Associate in Fine Arts- Cost
- $11,462
Create, critique, improve
Extend your vision
You love creating. Extend and strengthen your vision with a fine arts degree from the College of Lake County. Create works—from start to finish—in a wide variety of 2D and 3D mediums. As you develop your craft, you gain a greater ability to critique and evaluate—to step outside your own vision and strengthen it with added perspective.
Every artist walks this path—create, critique, improve. Supportive guides and perceptive peers mean your growth happens faster. That’s the point of studying art as you make it. Save money studying and gain insights from others when you earn an A.F.A. degree at CLC. Easily transfer to a four-year school to study art, design or another field that aligns with your creative vision.
What can you do with an A.F.A. in Art?
The A.F.A. degree in Art prepares you to transfer and complete a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art, Illustration, Digital Art, Art Education or other related areas.
Apply for the Art Major Scholarship
The Art Major Scholarship can speed you along your educational journey. This $250 award can pay for any educational expense (including art supplies), and it’s renewable for multiple terms. To qualify, you must be an Art major demonstrating financial need.
Highlights
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Student and Faculty Art Showcase
See samples of faculty and student art on Instagram. -
Financial Aid/Scholarships Available
Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college. -
Transfer Degree
Save on your first 2 years and transfer your credits to the 4-year school of your choice. -
Program Length: 2 Years
Full-time students finish in 2 years.
Career Outlook
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Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $42,954
- Median
- $66,265
- Senior-Level
- $103,582
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $20.65
- Median
- $31.85
- Senior-Level
- $49.79
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- Bachelor's Degree
- 16.13%
- Master's Degree
- 83.88%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $50,464
- Median
- $86,695
- Senior-Level
- $168,958
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $24.26
- Median
- $41.68
- Senior-Level
- $81.22
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 9.69%
- Some college
- 5.7%
- Associate Degree
- 5.37%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 71.54%
- Master's Degree
- 7.69%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Plan or conduct art therapy sessions or programs to improve clients' physical, cognitive, or emotional well-being.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $31,270
- Median
- $66,078
- Senior-Level
- $165,468
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $15.03
- Median
- $31.76
- Senior-Level
- $79.55
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- Master's Degree
- 96.87%
- Doctorate
- 3.12%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $44,643
- Median
- $80,088
- Senior-Level
- $139,804
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $21.45
- Median
- $38.50
- Senior-Level
- $67.21
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- Associate Degree
- 1.44%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 14.59%
- Master's Degree
- 52.29%
- Doctorate
- 31.67%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $47,697
- Median
- $66,796
- Senior-Level
- $111,610
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $22.92
- Median
- $32.11
- Senior-Level
- $53.65
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 4.3%
- Certificate
- 0.29%
- Some college
- 15.23%
- Associate Degree
- 12.26%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 67.92%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $5,845
- Median
- $18,071
- Senior-Level
- $59,007
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $2.81
- Median
- $8.68
- Senior-Level
- $28.36
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 36%
- Certificate
- 12%
- Some college
- 16%
- Associate Degree
- 8%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 24%
- Master's Degree
- 4%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution.
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Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $38,529
- Median
- $65,232
- Senior-Level
- $108,217
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $18.52
- Median
- $31.36
- Senior-Level
- $52.02
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
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Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- Some college
- 3.37%
- Associate Degree
- 1.48%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 14.22%
- Master's Degree
- 44.05%
- Doctorate
- 36.87%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
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Need help?
Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) helps you
- complete the admission process
- choose an academic program
- enroll in first-semester classes
- get access to helpful resources
Recommended Pathway
Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. View degree requirements in the college catalog.
*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied, as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.
Learn how CLC helps you transfer
Start at CLC and continue with a 4-year school to earn your bachelor's degree. CLC has partnerships with many colleges and universities, covering a wide range of programs.
Our Guaranteed Transfer Partnerships (GTAs) with a select number of schools guarantee admission to students who meet specific criteria.
Art at CLC
Get the bigger picture
This transfer degree is just one possible way to study Art. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.
Frequently asked questions
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Art students study the history of the subject as well as drawing (including figure drawing) and both two-dimensional and three-dimensional design. You specialize your studies with various electives including classes in:
- ceramics
- color and design techniques
- computer animation
- jewelry-making
- painting
- sculpture
- photography
- sculpture
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Study whatever you are passionate about—art history, photography, drawing and painting, watercolor, computer art, ceramics, sculpture and jewelry-making.
Our art instructors are professional artists who incorporate top-notch technical skills with ideation and conceptual development into your courses. Our courses are demanding and help you curate your artistic vision.
Share your vision with the community. We have a student art show every year. You can display your work in our art gallery and even win awards.
Plus, the tuition is unbeatable. You save thousands of dollars by getting an associate degree and then moving to a 4-year institution.
When you study art at CLC, you join a close-knit community. Our students know each other, and they know the faculty members. Everyone contributes to the community of learning.
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Yes—well, some of them. Many core courses are offered in an online format, while most of your studio courses must be taken in person.
Attend class in the way that works best for your goals:
- Virtual Live: Learn remotely in real time. Take classes taught live via Zoom.
- Online: Have the flexibility to complete coursework without scheduled meetings while staying actively engaged in a fully online environment.
- In-person: Keep your degree on track with classes that meet face-to-face, providing you with opportunities to interact in person with faculty and peers.
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Yes. There’s a distinct advantage to earning your associate degree—a 30% advantage. The Brookings Institution reports that employees with associate degrees earn 30% more on average than those with high school diplomas. Over a lifetime, the earnings of an associate degree recipient are roughly $170,000 higher than those of a high school graduate.
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Yes! Researchers have looked at how community college students fare after transferring. The biggest marker for success? Finishing your associate degree before transferring. In fact, those students seem to do better at the 4-year school than students who started at the 4-year school.
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The estimated cost of this program appears at the top of this web page, under the program title.
The cost is based on recommended pathway credit hours. It includes in-district tuition and fees, such as for books and materials. It does not factor in financial aid (grants, loans, scholarships) that you may receive.
Some courses in this program are subject to variable tuition and course fees because they provide specialized experiences, instruction or technology/equipment.
View courses with variable tuition and fees
Many opportunities exist at CLC to get financial assistance. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.
Take the next step...
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