Studio art and design
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Overview
- In-state: $11,274
- Out-of-state: $30,750
- WUE/Invitation to Idaho: $14,988
Explore scholarships and financial aid
*Includes Art and Architecture professional fees. See fee details in cost accordion below.
Turn the ideas you cannot ignore into work others cannot overlook
Make work that carries your point of view.
Artists and designers help people see differently.
A poster can make an issue impossible to ignore. An object can preserve a memory, challenge an assumption or invite someone to touch, move and respond. A digital experience can turn complicated information into something clear. A painting can hold an emotion that ordinary language cannot.
The work begins with an idea — but the idea is only the beginning.
At University of Idaho, you’ll learn what it takes to carry a creative impulse through uncertainty, experimentation and revision until it becomes something you are ready to place in front of an audience.
Your days may move between sketchbooks, screens, presses, kilns, easels and fabrication tools. You might spend a morning mixing color, an afternoon testing type and image, and an evening rebuilding a project after critique reveals a stronger direction. Some ideas will resolve quickly. Others will require weeks of making, questioning and starting again.
You’ll do that work within a community of artists and designers who understand the process. Classmates will notice possibilities you missed. Faculty mentors will ask why you chose one material, image or interaction over another. Visiting professionals and clients will introduce expectations beyond the classroom.
As you develop, you’ll choose where to go deeper. You may concentrate your practice in painting, graphic design, sculpture, printmaking, interaction design, experience design or ceramics while continuing to learn from other forms of creative work.
By senior year, you won’t simply have a collection of assignments. You’ll have a body of work shaped by your interests, sharpened through critique and presented with intention. Your portfolio and senior exhibition will show how your skills, ideas and creative identity have grown.
This degree could be a strong fit if:
- You feel compelled to make, revise and communicate ideas visually
- You are curious about how images, objects and experiences affect people
- You want to develop a distinct creative voice rather than follow one style
- You enjoy working through uncertainty until an idea becomes clearer
- You are willing to receive direct feedback and use it to strengthen your work
- You want to combine hands-on craft with digital tools and emerging technology
- You can imagine building a career around creative practice, communication or design
From canvas to career
Curriculum
Curriculum and courses
To graduate with a B.F.A. in studio art and design, you’ll complete 120 required credits composed of U of I’s general requirements, studio courses, art history and theory courses, critical writing and professional practices. Studio coursework emphasizes technical skills, creative thinking and professional preparation. The non-studio coursework rounds out the studio experiences and develops critical thinking that supports art and design practice.
The four-year art and design degree program offers opportunities to customize your education with electives across art and design areas. Similar to lab work in STEM majors, you’ll spend time completing hands-on work in art and design studios, especially during your year-long Senior Studio.
Review art and design degree requirements in the University Catalog.
Career outcomes
Current job openings
1,026 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and mid-career salaries
- Postsecondary Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers • Postsecondary Art, Drama, and Music Teachers
$87,431 - Art Directors
$69,757 - Art Therapists
$76,670 - Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
$89,548 - Photographers
$48,105
* Career data provided by Lightcast.
Clubs and involvement opportunities
Involvement opportunities
Explore your passion for art and design while collaborating with your classmates, building new skills and gaining experience that you can put on your resume. Find a student group in the College of Art and Architecture where you belong:
- AIGA – The Professional Association for Design
- Student Congress of Art & Architecture
- Vandal Printmakers Guild
- Visual Arts Community
Internships in studio art and design
CAA can connect you with internship opportunities with art non-profits, galleries, museums, private firms and more. Whether you’re curating exhibits, creating visual campaigns or contributing to public art initiatives, these internships allow you to apply your skills and build a strong professional portfolio.
Financial aid and scholarship opportunities
While paying for college can feel overwhelming, University of Idaho is committed to affordability and clarity about tuition and financial aid. Here are a few key resources to help you understand the cost of your degree and explore available financial support:
- Submit your FAFSA: Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to accessing federal, state and institutional financial aid.
- Estimate your cost of attendance: Use U of I’s Cost Calculator to estimate tuition and other expenses associated with earning your degree.
- Discover scholarship opportunities: When you apply to University of Idaho, you’re automatically considered for scholarships. Additional awards are available based on your previous experience, background and anticipated program of study.
If you have any questions about financial aid, scholarships or cost, U of I’s experienced financial aid counselors can help you make informed financial decisions and navigate each part of the process. Reach out to our Financial Aid Office for assistance.
Professional fees
CAA’s Professional Fee directly supports essential resources such as design studios, specialized equipment, student groups and more. Fee costs are:
- All full-time students (10-20 credits) - $725.00 per semester
- Part-time undergraduate students (1-9 credits) - $73.00 per credit
- Part-time graduate students - $81.00 per credit (does not exceed $725.00)
Application information
Undergraduate applications open each September and admissions are processed on a rolling basis. Qualified students are admitted and considered for scholarships and financial aid as applications are received.
Explore admission requirements and apply on our Admissions website.
Program specific admission requirements
First-year admission
The art and design journey begins with the pre-professional program, which is two years of foundational coursework. Portfolio reviews are not required for admission into the pre-professional program, but you must meet U of I’s general admission requirements.
Second-year admission
Students apply to the professional B.F.A. in Studio Art and design program during their sophomore year. This includes a second year Bachelor of Fine Arts review, where students submit their portfolio for evaluation. Portfolio reviews occur mid-semester in the fall and spring. Students become part of the professional program once they successfully complete their second year review.
Note: Students may reapply for entry twice. Students accepted must maintain a minimum institutional GPA of 2.75 and receive a grade of C or better in all 3000-4000-level art courses. Students accepted into the professional program must complete 15 credits of 3000-level studio courses with at least 6 of the 15 credits in one sequential studio area and 6 credits of art history before registration in ART 4900 and ART 4950.
Senior-entry admission
Students submit their work for senior entry review during their junior year. Once approved, students are able to enroll in Senior Experience courses, Art 4900 B.F.A. Art/Design Studio and Art 4950 B.F.A. Senior Thesis. Portfolio reviews occur mid-semester in the fall and spring.
Note: If an application is unsuccessful, students may reapply for entry during the following semester review.
Overview
- In-state: $11,274
- Out-of-state: $30,750
- WUE/Invitation to Idaho: $14,988
Explore scholarships and financial aid
*Includes Art and Architecture professional fees. See fee details in cost accordion below.
Have questions?
Not sure if this program is the right fit? Connect with your admissions counselor or request more information to get personalized guidance on program details, requirements and next steps.
Find your admissions counselor
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