If you’re researching art programs in the US, you’ll quickly encounter two degree types: the BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) and the BA (Bachelor of Arts). Both are four-year undergraduate degrees, and both can lead to careers in the arts — but they are structured very differently, and the BFA vs BA art degree choice matters more than many students initially realize. This post explains the real differences, helps you understand which is right for you, and discusses what Korean students applying to US art schools need to know about how these degrees work.
The Fundamental Difference Between a BFA vs BA Art Degree
The most important structural difference between a BFA and a BA is the percentage of coursework dedicated to your art major.
According to the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD):
- A BA in Art typically requires at least 30% of total credits in the art major. The remaining 70% is general education, electives, and courses in other fields.
- A BFA typically requires approximately 65% of total credits in the art major. The remaining 35% is general education and electives.
In practical terms: a BFA student spends roughly twice as much time in studio courses, critique sessions, and art-specific classes as a BA student in the same four years.
What a BFA Looks Like
A BFA is designed to produce professional artists and designers. The curriculum is intensive, structured, and sequential — courses build on each other, and you cannot simply pick and choose across four years. Most BFA programs require students to submit a portfolio to apply, or to pass a portfolio review in their first year before being admitted to the major.
BFA students spend the majority of their time in studio, developing technical skills and building a body of work. Critiques — where your work is formally presented and discussed by instructors and peers — are a central part of the BFA experience. The culminating requirement is typically a senior thesis or senior exhibition.
BFA programs are the standard at dedicated art schools like RISD, Parsons, CalArts, and SVA. They are also offered in the arts colleges of larger universities.
Who should pursue a BFA: Students who are certain they want to pursue a professional career in art or design — whether as a working artist, illustrator, designer, animator, or creative professional — and who are ready to commit most of their coursework to developing those skills specifically.
What a BA in Art Looks Like
A BA in Art provides a solid arts education within a broader liberal arts framework. Students take courses in art history, studio practice, and their area of concentration — but they also take courses in literature, sciences, social sciences, and other humanities fields as part of general education requirements.
BA programs offer more flexibility than BFAs. Students can double major, minor in other fields, or explore academic interests outside of art while still developing their artistic practice. The trade-off is less studio time and a less intensive art-specific curriculum.
BA programs in art are commonly offered at traditional universities and liberal arts colleges, often within a Department of Art or School of Art and Design.
Who should pursue a BA: Students who want a broad liberal arts education while continuing to develop their art practice — and who may be considering post-graduate paths that benefit from that breadth, such as arts administration, art education, art history, museum work, or even graduate-level study that values diverse academic backgrounds.
BFA vs. BA: A Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | BFA | BA |
|---|---|---|
| Art coursework | ~65% of total credits | ~30% of total credits |
| General education | ~35% | ~70% |
| Studio intensity | High — daily studio time | Moderate |
| Critique culture | Central and frequent | Less frequent |
| Portfolio required for admission | Usually yes | Often not required |
| Double major flexibility | Limited | More flexible |
| Typical setting | Dedicated art school or arts college | Traditional university |
| Primary goal | Professional artistic practice | Broad liberal arts + art |
| Path to MFA | Direct and common | Possible, may need additional portfolio work |
Which Leads to Better Career Outcomes?
The answer depends on what career you’re pursuing. For careers that require demonstrable technical skill and a strong portfolio — graphic design, illustration, animation, fashion design, UX design — a BFA typically provides stronger preparation and a more directly competitive portfolio by graduation.
For careers that benefit from a broader academic background — arts administration, art education, museum work, art journalism, or pivoting into non-arts fields — a BA provides more flexibility and transferable skills.
Importantly, neither degree is inherently “better” in the eyes of most employers. What matters most is the quality of your portfolio and your professional experience. A BFA from a less well-known school and a BA from a prestigious university with a strong art program can lead to comparable outcomes depending on the individual’s work ethic and career strategy.
A Note for Korean Students
Most Korean students applying to top US art schools like RISD, Parsons, CalArts, and SVA are applying to BFA programs — these are the programs that require portfolios and are the core of what those schools offer at the undergraduate level.
If you are applying to universities with separate art programs (like NYU, USC, or Boston University), you may have the option to pursue either a BFA or a BA in art. The BFA at these schools is typically housed in a dedicated arts conservatory or school within the larger university.
For Korean students whose families are concerned about the intensity of a full art school environment, a BA at a strong university (rather than a dedicated art school) can be a reasonable middle path — you receive a strong arts education alongside a broader academic credential that is more recognizable in Korea’s general academic culture.
However, for students who are serious about building a professional creative career in the US or internationally, the BFA at a dedicated art school remains the standard path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get into graduate school (MFA) with a BA instead of a BFA? Yes. MFA programs admit students with both BA and BFA backgrounds. What matters for MFA admission is the quality of your portfolio and the strength of your creative practice, not the specific undergraduate degree type. Some BFA graduates have stronger portfolios at graduation than BA students simply due to more studio time, but this is not universal.
Is a BFA harder than a BA? BFA programs are generally more intensive in terms of studio time, critique frequency, and professional expectations. However, the academic breadth requirements of a BA can also be demanding. “Harder” depends on your individual strengths — students who thrive in self-directed creative work often find BFA programs more natural, while students who prefer a range of academic subjects may find the BA structure less overwhelming.
Do art schools offer BA degrees? Some do. A number of art schools offer BA programs alongside their BFA offerings, often for students who want more flexibility or who are interested in art combined with other academic fields. However, the BFA remains the primary degree at most dedicated art schools.
Does the BFA vs BA choice affect how schools like RISD or Parsons evaluate applicants? Most top art schools primarily offer BFA programs at the undergraduate level, so this distinction doesn’t typically affect the admissions process at those schools. Where it becomes relevant is when applying to university-based art programs, where both BA and BFA options may exist.
Is a BFA recognized in Korea? Yes, a BFA from a recognized US institution is understood as an undergraduate professional degree in the arts and is recognized in Korea’s professional and academic contexts. Many Korean graduates of US BFA programs go on to work in Korean design firms, entertainment companies, academic institutions, and their own independent practices.
Royal Blue Art & Design는 압구정에 위치한 유학미술학원으로, 19년간 한국 학생들의 RISD, Parsons, CalArts 등 미국 최상위 미술대학 입시를 도와왔습니다. [상담 문의하기 →]