Introduction
Every year, thousands of Korean students dream of studying art and design at a top university in the United States. The US is home to some of the world’s most prestigious art and design schools, and Korean students have a strong and growing track record of gaining acceptance to these programs. At Royal Blue Art & Design in Apgujeong, Seoul, we have helped Korean students for 19 years. In that time, our students have gained acceptance to more than 50 leading US art and design programs. In this guide, we share everything Korean students need to know about applying to top art schools in the United States.
Why Korean Students Choose US Art Schools
The United States is home to the largest concentration of world-class art and design schools anywhere in the world. Schools like RISD, Parsons, CalArts, Pratt, and SAIC offer programs that combine rigorous technical training with conceptual depth, and their graduates go on to work at the world’s leading design studios, fashion houses, animation studios, and cultural institutions.
For Korean students specifically, studying at a US art school offers several important advantages. Employers and graduate programs worldwide recognize a US degree is widely recognized by employers and graduate programs around the world. US art schools have large and active international student communities, making the transition to studying abroad more manageable. And the US design and creative industries offer exceptional internship and career opportunities that are difficult to access from Korea.
Top Art Schools in the US for Korean Students
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
RISD is consistently ranked as the number one art and design school in the United States and is one of the most prestigious creative institutions in the world. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, RISD offers undergraduate BFA programs in more than 20 disciplines including Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Illustration, Jewelry and Metalsmithing, Textile Design, and Architecture. Royal Blue Art & Design students have gained acceptance to RISD with scholarships worth up to $243,000 over four years. RISD is the most competitive school on this list, but it is also the most rewarding for students who are accepted.
Parsons School of Design
Parsons, located in New York City, is one of the most internationally diverse art and design schools in the world and has a particularly strong reputation among Korean students. Parsons is especially well known for its Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Product Design, and Interior Design programs. Its location in New York City gives students direct access to the global fashion and design industries, and its large international student community makes it a welcoming environment for Korean students studying abroad for the first time.
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)
CalArts, located in Valencia, California, is the leading school in the United States for Animation, Film, and experimental Fine Arts. It was founded by Walt Disney and has produced some of the most celebrated animators, filmmakers, and artists in the world. Korean students with a strong interest in character animation, experimental film, or contemporary fine arts will find CalArts to be an exceptional environment for developing their creative practice.
Pratt Institute
Pratt Institute, located in Brooklyn, New York, is one of the most accessible top-tier art schools for Korean students. Pratt offers strong programs in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Fashion Design, and Fine Arts, and it has a large and welcoming international student community. Royal Blue Art & Design students have gained acceptance to Pratt with Presidential Merit Scholarships worth up to $135,000 over four years.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC)
SAIC is one of the most conceptually rigorous art schools in the United States and is particularly strong in Fine Arts, Painting, Sculpture, Film and Video, and Design. Located in Chicago, SAIC has a uniquely open and interdisciplinary culture that allows students to move freely between departments and develop highly individualized creative practices. Royal Blue Art & Design students have received SAIC Distinguished Scholar Scholarships worth up to $92,000 over four years.
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
MICA, located in Baltimore, Maryland, is one of the oldest and most respected art schools in the United States. It offers strong programs in Graphic Design, Illustration, Fine Arts, Animation, and Interactive Arts, and it is known for its generous merit scholarship program. Royal Blue Art & Design students have received MICA Visionary Artist Awards worth up to $144,000 over four years, making MICA one of the most financially accessible top art schools for Korean students.
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
SCAD, with campuses in Savannah, Georgia and Atlanta, Georgia, is one of the largest art and design universities in the United States and offers an exceptionally wide range of programs. SCAD is particularly strong in Animation, Graphic Design, Fashion, Film and Television, and Game Design. It has a large international student community and a strong career placement record, with graduates working at major studios and companies around the world.
Otis College of Art and Design
Otis, located in Los Angeles, California, offers strong programs in Graphic Design, Illustration, Fashion Design, Toy Design, and Fine Arts. Its location in Los Angeles gives students access to the entertainment, fashion, and design industries of one of the world’s most creative cities. Royal Blue Art & Design students have received Otis Presidential Scholarships worth up to $92,000 over four years.
School of Visual Arts (SVA)
SVA, located in New York City, is one of the most industry-connected art schools in the United States. Its faculty includes working professionals from the design, illustration, animation, and fine arts worlds, and its location in New York City gives students unparalleled access to internships, exhibitions, and professional networks. SVA is particularly strong in Illustration, Graphic Design, Animation, Fine Arts, and Photography.
Ringling College of Art and Design
Ringling, located in Sarasota, Florida, is one of the leading schools in the United States for Computer Animation, Game Art, Motion Design, and Illustration. It has a strong reputation in the entertainment and gaming industries, and its graduates work at major studios including Pixar, DreamWorks, and Walt Disney Animation.
What Do US Art Schools Look for in Korean Applicants?
US art schools evaluate all applicants — domestic and international — primarily on the quality of their portfolio. Academic records, English language proficiency, and written application materials are also considered, but the portfolio is the most important factor in the admissions decision for virtually every top art and design program.
Korean students sometimes worry that cultural or language differences will put them at a disadvantage in the admissions process. In our experience at Royal Blue Art & Design, this concern is largely unfounded. Top US art schools actively seek international students who bring diverse perspectives and creative influences to their programs. What matters most is the quality, authenticity, and conceptual depth of the work in the portfolio — not where the student comes from.
English language proficiency is a practical requirement for studying in the US, and most schools require TOEFL or IELTS scores from international applicants. However, English language skills are rarely the deciding factor in the admissions decision for art and design programs.
Scholarship Opportunities for Korean Students
One of the most important things for Korean families to understand is that US art schools offer significant merit scholarship opportunities for international students. Unlike many graduate programs where funding for international students is limited, undergraduate art and design programs at schools like MICA, Pratt, Otis, SAIC, and SVA regularly award substantial merit scholarships to international applicants based on portfolio quality.
At Royal Blue Art & Design, our students have received scholarships ranging from $12,000 to $243,000 over four years from schools including RISD, Parsons, Pratt, MICA, SAIC, Otis, SVA, and many others. A strong portfolio is the most effective way to maximize scholarship opportunities.
How to Apply to US Art Schools from Korea
The application process for US art schools typically involves the following steps: completing the Common App or school-specific application form, submitting a portfolio through the SlideRoom digital platform, writing a personal statement and artist statement, submitting official transcripts and English language test scores, and providing letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors.
Most US art school application deadlines fall between November 1 and February 1 for September enrollment. Early Decision and Early Action deadlines are typically in November, while Regular Decision deadlines are usually in January or February.
At Royal Blue Art & Design, we guide students through every step of this process — from portfolio preparation and school selection through application submission and scholarship negotiation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Which US art school is the best for Korean students?
A. The best US art school for any student depends on their creative direction, learning style, and career goals. RISD is the most prestigious overall, but Parsons, Pratt, MICA, SAIC, and SVA are all excellent choices depending on the student’s specific interests. We recommend applying to a balanced list of six to ten schools.
Q. Do I need to speak English fluently to study at a US art school?
A. A functional level of English is necessary to succeed in a US art school environment. Most schools require TOEFL scores of 80 or above or IELTS scores of 6.5 or above for international applicants. Strong English skills will also help with written application materials and interviews.
Q. How much does it cost to study at a US art school?
A. Tuition at top US art schools ranges from approximately $50,000 to $60,000 per year, with total cost of attendance including housing and living expenses typically ranging from $70,000 to $85,000 per year. Merit scholarships can significantly reduce this cost for strong applicants.
Q. Can Korean students get scholarships at US art schools?
A. Yes. Many top US art schools offer merit scholarships to international students based on portfolio quality. Royal Blue Art & Design students have received scholarships ranging from $12,000 to $243,000 over four years from schools including RISD, Parsons, Pratt, MICA, SAIC, and Otis.
Q. How do I start preparing to apply to US art schools from Korea?
A. The most important first step is to begin portfolio preparation as early as possible — ideally 12 to 18 months before your application deadline. Working with an experienced portfolio preparation advisor in Korea, such as Royal Blue Art & Design in Apgujeong, Seoul, can significantly improve your chances of gaining acceptance and receiving merit scholarships.
Conclusion
The United States offers some of the world’s finest art and design education, and Korean students have a strong and growing track record of gaining acceptance to top programs. With the right portfolio preparation, school selection strategy, and application support, a US art school education is an achievable goal for motivated Korean students at every level.
At Royal Blue Art & Design in Apgujeong, Seoul, we have helped Korean students for 19 years. In that time, our students have gained acceptance to more than 50 leading US art and design programs.
Royal Blue Art & Design has placed Korean students
at all of the schools in this guide — with 381+
total acceptances and $18.9M+ in scholarships
over 19 years.
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