Outside of buying a home, the investment in education is one of life's biggest expenses. Too many students don't understand what they are buying or what their options really are. Art school is not like other areas of education. A doctor or lawyer needs an education in order to practice their profession. However, an artist does not. Many well-known artists have no formal training at all.

As in any profession, attending a top-ranked school may provide better career opportunities for artists, but it is best to think of art school as a time and place to acquire the skills that you want to grow as an artist. There are ways to enhance your arts education; for fields such as animation, graphic design and web design, practical hands-on experience could be acquired through certifications, internships and freelance projects. If you are focusing on Fine Art, try to participate in as many exhibits and shows as possible. These types of activities will boost your resume and online portfolio.

1. The Top Schools

Every school says that they are the best but in truth only a select few are rated at the top of independent studies. If you want a chance to get into a school like Cal Arts, Chicago Art Institute, RISD, Pratt or School of Visual Design, you will need to prepare while you are in high school. The top art schools require a portfolio, not just the knowledge that you want to be an artist. These schools include some academic courses and the student earns a BFA or MFA.

2. Major Universities

Studying art within the walls of a university has several advantages. Art is a study of life and the world around us. A fine artist may find history, sociology, anthropology, even physics interesting and helpful. Graphic designers can benefit from computer science classes. The mixture of academic and artistic courses is a style of learning that many aspiring artists enjoy. The best part is that many schools have excellent programs. Yale is widely considered one of the very best art schools and some of the large state schools such as Indiana University, UC Berkeley and University of Michigan offer a great arts education at a reduced price for in-state students.

3. Arts Trade Schools

Trade schools do not require the academic rigor of universities or the commitment and portfolio development expected of top tier art schools. They do provide real world training and the technical skills that can be matched to great talent. These schools are located in cities like New York, San Francisco, and Seattle ? cities with large established art scenes that can benefit students that are looking to refine art skills.