BFA vs BA in the Arts: Which Degree and Application Path to Choose

Two degrees, two philosophies

In the US arts, you will usually choose between a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA). A BFA is a studio-intensive, professional-track degree — more of your coursework is hands-on art, music, theater, design or film. A BA in an arts field includes the discipline but with more liberal-arts breadth.

Neither is universally better. The right fit depends on how much you want to specialize now, how broad you want your studies to be, and what kind of program and campus you want.

What a BFA usually involves

BFA programs typically require a larger share of studio or performance courses and often run as cohort-based, conservatory-style training. Many are portfolio- or audition-gated, meaning you must submit creative work or audition to be admitted, sometimes to the program specifically rather than just the university.

A BFA suits applicants who are confident about an arts career and want intensive, focused training. The trade-off is less room for unrelated subjects, and switching paths later can be harder than in a broader degree.

What a BA in the arts usually involves

A BA in an arts field combines your discipline with general-education and elective courses, giving more flexibility to explore other subjects, double major, or change direction. Admission is often through the university's standard process, with a portfolio or audition sometimes optional or not required.

A BA suits applicants who want the arts as a strong focus but value breadth, or who are still deciding how central art will be to their studies and career.

How the choice changes where you apply

The degree you target affects your whole application strategy. Standalone art schools and conservatories mostly offer studio-intensive, portfolio- or audition-gated degrees; large universities and liberal-arts colleges may offer BA, BFA, or both, sometimes with separate admission to the BFA track.

Some students apply to a mix of both kinds of schools to keep options open. Just be sure you meet each program's distinct requirements — a BFA application often adds a portfolio or audition on top of the academic file.

• Standalone art schools/conservatories: usually BFA, portfolio/audition required
• Universities and liberal-arts colleges: BA, BFA, or both
• BFA tracks may need separate admission to the program
• Mixing both types can balance focus and flexibility

How to decide

Ask how certain you are about specializing, how much non-arts coursework you want, and whether you are ready to prepare a portfolio or audition. There is no single right answer — match the degree to your goals, then build a balanced list of programs that offer it.

Requirements, degree offerings and admission tracks differ by school and change over time, so confirm the exact degree types and application steps on each program's official admissions page before deciding.