Illustration Schools in New Jersey

New Jersey’s close proximity to New York makes it the perfect place to live and study—especially for those on a budget. A quick train ride puts students at the center of it all, without the hassle of high rents and roommate woes. New Jersey offers easy access to New York’s many museums, performing art centers, and galleries, as well as a stable job scene for artists. However, if New York isn’t your bag, it’s ok. You can still live the artists life in New Jersey, where many of its cities and towns have provided a backdrop for films such as Garden State, A Beautiful Mind, Cop Land, The Godfather III, Men in Black, Ocean’s Eleven, On the Waterfront, and many others.

The Garden State is also home to major art museums such as Hunterdon Art Museum in Clinton, Princeton University Art Museum (Princeton), and Montclair Art Museum (Montclair). The state’s collection of small art galleries is impressive, as well as the number of successful performance venues, art centers, and art & design studios here. The most active art and culture scenes can be found in principal cities such as Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, and Edison.

New Jersey is also known for its top-tier universities, specifically Princeton University, Rutgers University-Camden, Rowan University in Glassboro, and Kean University in Montclair. The state has 180 accredited colleges overall. While many have art programs, only a handful offer illustration programs. The good news is, most are offered at all degree levels including: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Fine Arts (B. F. A.), Master of Arts (M.A.), and Master of Fine Arts (M. F. A). You can also earn a diploma.

New Jersey Illustration Schools

New Jersey is home to several schools that offer a degree or concentration in illustration. Scroll through the list below to take a look at New Jersey’s illustration schools and what they have to offer.

Dover
The Kubert School - Degrees Offered: Diploma. This three-year accredited program prepares students for a career in cartooning and illustration

Jersey City
New Jersey City University - Degrees Offered: B. A., B. F. A. Digital Design and Illustration, Graphic Design, Illustration, B. A. Media Arts; M. A., M. F. A. Computer Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration

Montclair
Montclair State University – Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Animation and Illustration, Graphic Design; M. F. A. Studio Art

Union
Kean University - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design, Studio Art with Concentration in Computer/Video Art, Illustration

More Illustration related programs to consider:  

Employment and Salary Trends for New Jersey Illustrators

New Jersey is home to more than 43,000 salaried artists. In 2008, more than 200 were illustrators/fine artists. The population of salaried illustrators living in New Jersey decreased between 2002 and 2008. In 2002, the state was home to nearly 300 illustrators. The Bureau of Labor Statistics did not report figures for 2010.

Across the nation, there are more than 23,000 salaried fine artists/illustrators and thousands of independent artists. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 9 percent increase in the population of illustrators between 2008 and 2018. This means, in the next 6 years, the population could hit 25,700.

While the population of New Jersey illustrators decreased over the years, salaries increased. In 2002, salaried illustrators/fine artists earned $42,480. In 2008, they averaged $48,460. In 2010, the median annual wages of illustrators nationwide were $42,650. The lowest paid illustrators earned less than $20,780, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $83,410. The middle 50 percent earned between $29,230 and $60,650.

It is important to note that the population of independent artists in the U.S. is possibly higher than the population of salaried artists. As such, The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an average salary of $51,340 for independent artists (nationwide). However, “earnings for self-employed artists vary widely.” Independent illustrator’s that are new to the field can expect to earn as much as the lowest paid illustrators. Seasoned freelancers may earn more than the highest paid illustrators. Because independent artists are responsible for their own benefits, this may affect salaries some.