Rankings & Achievements
College Recognition & Rankings
The College of Fine Arts is one of the best fine and performing arts colleges in the world. But don’t take our word for it. CFA is honored to be regularly recognized among lists of top arts schools by lauded publications including U.S. News & World Report, The Hollywood Reporter, and Backstage, among others.
Recent Rankings
US News & World Report
- Graduate Painting Programs (2020) – #6
The Hollywood Reporter
- 25 Best Drama Schools for an MFA (2016) – #22
College Choice
- Best Master’s in Graphic Design Degrees (2021) – #6
- Best Master of Fine Arts Degrees (2021) – #18
Niche
- Best Colleges for the Performing Arts (2022) – #20 of 555
- Best Colleges for Music in America (2022) – #23 of 274
- Best Colleges for Design in America (2022) – #11 of 405
- Best Art Schools in America (2022) – #68 of 733
Top Lists
- 27 Acting Colleges You Should Know – Backstage (2023)
- 19 MFA Acting Programs You Should Know – Backstage (2021)
- Top 25 Amazing Acting Colleges – Backstage (2020)
- The Best College Theatre Programs in Every State – OnStage Blog (2021)
- Top 30 College Theatre Design and Tech Programs – OnStage Blog (2019-2020)
- Top 30 College Acting/Performing Arts – OnStage Blog (2019 – 2020)
- The Best Graphic Design Degree Programs – Intelligent (2022)
- The Best Online Master’s in Music Education – Intelligent (2021)
- The Best Master’s in Music Degree Programs of 2022 – Intelligent (2022)
- 30 Best Music Schools and Conservatories in the US – College Gazette (2021)
- 10 of the Best Music Schools in Boston – Music School Central (2020)
Additional Rankings
Best Value Schools
- 20 Best Colleges for Music (2021) – #18
- Top 26 Schools for Master of Fine Arts Programs (2021) – #24
Animation Career Review
- Top 50 Graphic Design Schools and Colleges in the US (2021) – #39
Gamedesigning.org
- 50 Best Graphic Design Schools in the US (2021) – #3
College Factual
- Best Colleges for Fine & Studio Arts in the nation (2021) – #23 of 332 (#2 in MA)
Leverage Edu
College Rank
- Best Online Music Graduate Programs (2021) – #9
Early Childhood Education Degrees
Universities.com
- Best Conducting Colleges in the U.S. (2021) #10
Inside Music Schools
Alumni Achievements
CFA Terriers make waves all across the arts and entertainment industries. Our alums have won Tony Awards, Academy Awards, Grammys, Emmys, and Golden Globes. Their impact on their fields echoes for generations. We applaud each and every one of these incredible achievements in their crafts!
Alumni Award Winners
We’re endlessly proud of our incredible and talented CFA Terrier alums!
Please note that this is not a complete list. If you know of any CFA alumni who received an award who are not recognized on the list, please notify us at cfaalum@bu.edu.
Academy Award Winners
- Roy Conli (’87) – Animated Feature Film (2014)
- Geena Davis (’79, Hon. ’99) – Actress in a Supporting Role (1988), Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (2019)
- Faye Dunaway (’62) – Actress in a Leading Role (1976)
- Peter Del Vecho (’80) – Animated Feature Film (2013)
- Corinne Marrinan (’95) – Documentary (Short Subject) (2005)
- Brian McLean (’99) -Scientific and Technical Award (Scientific and Engineering Award) (2015)
- Julianne Moore (’83) – Actress in a Leading Role (2014)
- Marisa Tomei (’86, Hon.’02) – Actress in a Supporting Role (1992)
Tony Award Winners
- Chris Akerlind (’85) – Lighting Design (Musical) (2005), Lighting Design (Play) (2017)
- Jason Alexander (’81, Hon.’95) – Actor (Musical) (1989)
- Dan Fogler (’98) – Actor (Featured Role – Musical) (2005)
- Jess Goldstein (’72) – Costume Design (Play) (2005)
- Hugh Hayes (’88) – Revival (Musical) (2013)
- Greg Hildreth (’05) – Actor, Company (Play, 2022)
- Stewart Lane (’73) – Musical (1984), Musical (1991), Musical (2002), Best Special Theatrical Event (2007), , Musical (2014)
- Drew Levy (’04,’05) – Sound Designer, A Strange Loop (Musical, 2022)
- Sue Wagner (’97) – Play (2022), Play (2013), Musical (2014), Revival (Play) (2014), Play (2016), Revival (Play) (2016), Revival (Musical) (2017)
Emmy Award Winners
- Uzo Aduba (’05) – Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (2014), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (2015), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie (2020)
- Leslie Y. Caveny (’84) – Outstanding Comedy Series (2005)
- Michael Chiklis (’85) – Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series (2002)
- Harry Connick Jr. (BUTI’83) – Outstanding Music Direction (2004), Outstanding Music Direction (2011)
- Faye Dunaway (’62) – Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (1994)
- Abraham Higginbotham (’92) – Outstanding Comedy Series (2010), Outstanding Comedy Series (2011), Outstanding Comedy Series (2012), Outstanding Comedy Series (2013), Outstanding Comedy Series (2014)
- Daniel Lipman (’71) – Outstanding Writing in a Miniseries or a Special (1986)
- John Oettinger (’58) – Outstanding Film Sound Editing for a Series (1985)
- Dava Savel (’78) – Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (1997)
- Richard E. Schreiber (’74) – Outstanding Art Direction for a Variety or Music Program (2002)
- Alfre Woodard (’74, Hon.’04) – Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series (1984), Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series (1987), Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Special (1997), Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (2003)
Golden Globe Award Winners
- Geena Davis (’79, Hon.’99) – Best Television Actress – Drama Series (2006)
- Faye Dunaway (’62) – Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama (1977), Best Supporting Actress – Television (1985), Best Supporting Actress – Television (1999)
- Michael Chiklis (’85) – Best Television Actor – Drama Series (2003)
- Julianne Moore (’83) – Best Ensemble Cast (1994), Best Actress – Television Motion Picture (2013), Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama (2015)
- Alfre Woodard (’74, Hon.’04) – Best Actress – Television Motion Picture (1998)
Screen Actors Guild Award Winners
- Uzo Aduba (’05) – Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (2016)
- Jason Alexander (’81) – Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series (1995)
Grammy Award Winners
- Lawrence Wolfe (BUTI’66) – Best Orchestral Performance (2015), Best Orchestral Performance (2016), Best Engineered Album, Classical/Best Orchestral Performance (2018)
- Jonathan Beiler (BUTI’68) – Best Classical Instrumental Solo (2019)
- John M. Russell (’68) – Best Choral Performance (2020)
- Ikuko Mizuno (’69) – Best Orchestral Performance (2015), Best Orchestral Performance (2016), Best Engineered Album, Classical/Best Orchestral Performance (2018)
- Steve Ansell (BUTI’71) – Best Orchestral Performance (2015), Best Orchestral Performance (2016), Best Engineered Album, Classical/Best Orchestral Performance (2018)
- Alan J. Ross (’72) – Best Choral Performance (2020)
- Nancy Goeres (’75) – Best Engineered Album, Classical / Best Orchestral Performance (2017)
- Kathryn Picht Read (’77) – Best Classical Instrumental Solo (2019)
- Brian Adrian Anderson (’78) – Best Opera Recording (2020)
- Mary M. Hamman (BUTI’79) – Best Opera Recording (2020)
- Christopher Hanulik (BUTI’79) – Best Orchestral Performance (2019), Best Orchestral Performance (2020)
- William R. Hudgins (’79) – Best Orchestral Performance (2015), Best Orchestral Performance (2016), Best Engineered Album, Classical/Best Orchestral Performance (2018)
- Todd Levy (BUTI’79) – Best Opera Recording (2018)
- Owen Young (BUTI’79, ’80) – Best Orchestral Performance (2015), Best Orchestral Performance (2016), Best Engineered Album, Classical/Best Orchestral Performance (2018)
- Catherine Brubaker (BUTI’80) – Best Engineered Album, Classical (2020)
- Bart Feller (BUTI’80) – Best Opera Recording (2018)
- Mark Hughes (BUTI’80, ’81) – Best Opera Recording (2017)
- Todd Seeber (BUTI’80,CFA’85) – Best Orchestral Performance (2015), Best Orchestral Performance (2016), Best Engineered Album, Classical/Best Orchestral Performance (2018)
- Victor Romanul (’81) – Best Orchestral Performance (2015), Best Orchestral Performance (2016), Best Engineered Album, Classical/Best Orchestral Performance (2018)
- Stephen Biagini (BUTI’82) – Best Orchestral Performance (2019), Best Orchestral Performance (2020)
- Kevin Vigneau (’82) – Best Opera Recording (2018)
- Christopher Haritatos (BUTI’83) – Best Contemporary Classical Competition (2019)
- Craig Knox (BUTI’83, ’84, ’85) – Best Engineered Album, Classical/Best Orchestral Performance (2017)
- Dennis Roy (BUTI’83, ’84) – Best Orchestral Performance (2015), Best Orchestral Performance (2016), Best Engineered Album, Classical/Best Orchestral Performance (2018)
- Zachary Smith (BUTI’83) – Best Engineered Album, Classical/Best Orchestral Performance (2017)
- Jeffrey Butler (’84) – Best Opera Recording (2017)
- James Cooke (’84) – Best Orchestral Performance (2015), Best Orchestral Performance (2016), Best Engineered Album, Classical/Best Orchestral Performance (2018)
- Timothy Genis (BUTI’84) – Best Orchestral Performance (2015), Best Orchestral Performance (2016), Best Engineered Album, Classical/Best Orchestral Performance (2018)
- Daryl Perlo (’84) – Best Contemporary Classical Competition (2019)
- Joan DerHovsepian (BUTI’85,’86) – Best Opera Recording (2017)
- Craig Reiss (’85) – Best Engineered Album, Classical (2015)
- Amy Jo Rhine (BUTI’85) – Best Orchestral Performance (2019), Best Orchestral Performance (2020)
- Barbara Bishop (BUTI’86) – Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance (2017)
- Richard W. Graber (BUTI’86,’87) – Best Classical Instrumental Solo (2016), Best Contemporary Classical Composition (2017), Best Contemporary Classical Composition (2020)
- Richard R. Kay (’86) – Best Choral Performance (2020)
- Amy Oshiro-Morales (BUTI’86) – Best Classical Instrumental Solo (2019)
- Christopher Schnell (BUTI’86) – Best Opera Recording (2018)
- Joel Dallow (BUTI’87, ’88) – Best Engineered Album, Classical (2014)
- Kari Jane Docter (BUTI’88) – Best Opera Recording (2020)
- Joseph Gramley (BUTI’88) – Best World Music Album (2016)
- David Krauss (BUTI’88) – Best Opera Recording (2020)
- Brian Lee (BUTI’88) – Best Engineered Album, Classical (2015)
- Brent C. Samuel (BUTI’88) – Best Orchestral Performance (2019), Best Orchestral Performance (2020)
- Christina Smith (BUTI’88) – Best Engineered Album, Classical (2014)
- Christine Bailey (BUTI’90) – Best Choral Performance (2020)
- Lingling Guan (’90) – Best Orchestral Performance (2014)
- Donald Howey (BUTI’90, ’91, CFA’95) – Best Opera Recording (2017)
- Hui Liu (’90) – Best Orchestral Performance (2019), Best Orchestral Performance (2020)
- Matthew Strauss (BUTI‘90,‘91) – Best Opera Recording (2017)
- Samuel Caviezel (BUTI‘91) – Best Classical Instrumental Solo (2019)
- Glen Cherry (BUTI‘91) – Best Orchestral Performance (2015), Best Orchestral Performance (2016), Best Engineered Album, Classical/Best Orchestral Performance (2018)
- Joseph Johnson (BUTI‘91) – Best Opera Recording (2018)
- Eric Larson (BUTI‘91,‘92, CFA‘96) – Best Opera Recording (2017)
- Jason Lippman (BUTI‘91) – Best Orchestral Performance (2019), Best Orchestral Performance (2020)
- Julian Wachner (‘91, ‘96) – Best Classical Album (1996), Best Choral Performance of the Year (2000)
- Joel Noyes (BUTI‘92) – Best Opera Recording (2020)
- Jacob Garchik (BUTI‘93) – Best Latin Jazz Album ( 2018)
- David Gordon (BUTI‘93) – Best Classical Instrumental Solo (2015), Best Surround Sound Album (2016), Best Classical Instrumental Solo/Best Contemporary Classical Composition (2018)
- Garrett Fischbach (‘94) – Best Opera Recording (2020)
- Jennifer Montone (BUTI‘94) – Best Classical Instrumental Solo (2019)
- Rebecca Myers (BUTI‘94) – Best Choral Performance (2017), Best Choral Performance (2018)
- Dana Lawson (BUTI‘95,‘96) – Best Orchestral Performance (2019), Best Orchestral Performance (2020)
- Daniel Bauch (BUTI‘96,‘97,‘98, CFA‘04) – Best Orchestral Performance (2015), Best Orchestral Performance (2016), Best Engineered Album, Classical/Best Orchestral Performance (2018)
- David Dash (BUTI‘96) – Best Opera Recording (2018)
- David DeRiso (BUTI‘96) – Best Orchestral Performance (2014)
- Yumi Kendall (BUTI‘96) – Best Classical Instrumental Solo (2019)
- Adam Luftman (BUTI‘96) – Best Engineered Album, Classical (2015)
- Joseph Michael Pereira (‘96) – Best Orchestral Performance (2019), Best Orchestral Performance (2020)
- Timothy F. Smith (BUTI‘96) – Best Choral Performance (2020)
- Jeffrey Beecher (BUTI‘97) – Best World Music Album (2016)
- Andrea Kaplan (BUTI‘97) – Best Orchestral Performance (2014)
- Benjamin Levy (BUTI‘97) – Best Orchestral Performance (2015), Best Orchestral Performance (2016), Best Engineered Album, Classical/Best Orchestral Performance (2018)
- Kenneth Olsen (BUTI‘97) – Best Engineered Album, Classical (2020)
- Nora Kroll-Rosenbaum (BUTI‘97) – Best Engineered Album, Classical (2015)
- Joseph Conyers (BUTI‘98) – Best Classical Instrumental Solo (2019)
- Daniel Han (CFA‘98,‘00,‘02) – Best Classical Instrumental Solo (2019)
- Andrew Cuneo (BUTI‘99) – Best Orchestral Performance (2014)
- Sara M. Heaton (BUTI‘99, CFA‘07) – Best Opera Recording (2020)
- Alexandre Lecarme (CFA‘99,‘02,‘05) – Best Orchestral Performance (2016), Best Orchestral Performance (2015), Best Engineered Album, Classical/Best Orchestral Performance (2018)
- Anna Steltenpohl (BUTI‘99) – Best Contemporary Classical Competition (2019)
- Brett Jory Herman (BUTI‘00,‘01) – Best Orchestral Performance (2019), Best Orchestral Performance (2020)
- Mary Hughes (‘00) – Best Opera Recording (2020)
- David Cooper (BUTI‘01) – Best Engineered Album, Classical (2020)
- Joseph C. Demko (BUTI‘01) – Best Classical Instrumental Solo (2016), Best Contemporary Classical Composition (2017), Best Contemporary Classical Composition (2020)
- Jesse Lewis (BUTI‘01) – Best Chamber Music / Small Ensemble Performance (2016)
- Daniel O’Dea (BUTI‘01) – Best Choral Performance (2017), Best Choral Performance (2018)
- Gil Perel (‘01) – Best Classical Instrumental Solo (2016), Best Contemporary Classical Composition (2017), Best Contemporary Classical Composition (2020)
- Matthew Roitstein (BUTI‘01) – Best Opera Recording (2017)
- Andrew Yee (BUTI‘01) – Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance (2019)
- Karin Marie Bliznik (BUTI‘02, CFA‘06) – Best Orchestral Performance (2014)
- Matthew McDonald (BUTI‘02) – Best Contemporary Classical Competition (2019)
- Christopher Stingle (BUTI‘02) – Best Classical Instrumental Solo (2015), Best Surround Sound Album (2016), Best Classical Instrumental Solo / Best Contemporary Classical Composition (2018)
- James Benoit (BUTI‘04) – Best Classical Instrumental Solo (2015), Best Surround Sound Album (2016), Best Classical Instrumental Solo / Best Contemporary Classical Composition (2018)
- Kyle Brightwell (BUTI‘04,‘05,‘06, CFA‘12) – Best Orchestral Performance (2015), Best Orchestral Performance (2016), Best Engineered Album, Classical/Best Orchestral Performance (2018)
- Grace Browning (BUTI‘04) – Best Opera Recording (2018) Best Contemporary Classical Competition (2019)
- Amber Gray (‘04) – Best Musical Theater Album (2020)
- Kevin J. Jablonski (BUTI‘04) – Best Classical Instrumental Solo (2016), Best Contemporary Classical Composition (2017), Best Contemporary Classical Composition (2020)
- Dahae Kim (BUTI‘04) – Best Orchestral Performance (2019), Best Orchestral Performance (2020)
- Meredith Anne Woodend (‘04) – Best Opera Recording (2020)
- Ala Jojatu (‘05) -Best Orchestral Performance (2015), Best Orchestral Performance (2016), Best Engineered Album, Classical/Best Orchestral Performance (2018)
- Stephanie Chigas (‘05) – Best Opera Recording (2020)
- Jenny Kim (BUTI‘05) – Best Opera Recording / Best Engineered Album, Classical (2016)
- Andrew P. Lowy (BUTI‘05) – Best Orchestral Performance (2019), Best Orchestral Performance (2020)
- William Short (BUTI‘05) – Best Opera Recording (2020)
- Teresa Wakim (‘05) – Best Opera Recording (2015)
- Dana Kelley (BUTI‘06,‘07) – Best Chamber Music / Small Ensemble Performance (2017)
- Robin Kesselman (BUTI‘06) – Best Opera Recording (2017)
- Frank Shaw (BUTI‘06) – Best Opera Recording (2018)
- John Turman (BUTI‘06,‘07,‘08,‘09) – Best Classical Instrumental Solo (2015), Best Surround Sound Album (2016), Best Classical Instrumental Solo / Best Contemporary Classical Composition (2018)
- Thomas Van Dyck (‘06) – Best Orchestral Performance (2015), Best Orchestral Performance (2016), Best Engineered Album, Classical/Best Orchestral Performance (2018)
- Julia DeRosa (BUTI‘07) – Best Opera Recording (2018)
- James Ross (‘07) – Best Engineered Album, Classical (2020), Best Opera Recording (2020)
- Gloria Yun (BUTI‘07) – Best Classical Instrumental Solo (2016), Best Contemporary Classical Composition (2017), Best Contemporary Classical Composition (2020)
- Andrew Brady (BUTI‘08,‘09) – Best Engineered Album, Classical (2014)
- Stephen Bryant (‘08) – Best Classical Instrumental Solo (2015), Best Surround Sound Album (2016), Best Classical Instrumental Solo/Best Contemporary Classical Composition (2018)
- Timothy Dilenschneider (BUTI‘08) – Best Opera Recording (2017)
- Katie Klich (‘08) – Best Engineered Album, Classical (2014)
- Jonathan Borden (BUTI‘09) – Best Choral Performance (2020)
- Keith Davis Buncke (BUTI‘09,‘10) – Best Engineered Album, Classical (2020)
- Anton Rist (BUTI‘09) – Best Opera Recording (2020)
- Julia Choi (BUTI‘11,‘12,‘13) – Best Opera Recording (2020)
- Matthew McKay (‘11) – Best Orchestral Performance (2015), Best Orchestral Performance (2016), Best Engineered Album, Classical/Best Orchestral Performance (2018)
- Petros Karapetyan (BUTI‘11,‘12) – Best Contemporary Classical Competition (2019)
- Joshua Lauretig (BUTI‘12) – Best Choral Performance (2020)
- Will Langlie-Miletich (BUTI‘12) – Best Classical Instrumental Solo (2015), Best Surround Sound Album (2016), Best Classical Instrumental Solo / Best Contemporary Classical Composition (2018)
- Olivia Staton (BUTI‘12, ‘13, ‘14) – Best Classical Instrumental Solo (2019)
- Amanda Nicole Tarver (‘12) – Best Opera Recording (2020)
- Cassie Pilgrim (BUTI‘13, ‘14) – Best Chamber Music / Small Ensemble Performance (2017)
- Regina Morgan (‘17) – Best Choral Performance (2019)
Guggenheim Fellowship Recipients
- Sohyun Bae (’94) – Recipient for Fine Arts (2007)
- Yu-Hui Chang (’96) – Music Composition (2009)
- Chris Chou (’01) – Fine Arts (2007)
- Thomas Christensen (’77) – Music Research (2007)
- Sedrick Huckaby (BUTI’95, CFA’97) – Fine Arts (2008)
- Mari Kimura (’88) – Music Composition (2010)
- Andrew Stein Raftery (’84) – Fine Arts (2008)
- Alexi Worth (’93) – Fine Arts (2009)
CFA’s Distinguished Alumni Awards
The Distinguished Alumni Awards are the most prestigious awards conferred by the College of Fine Arts at Boston University. Since 1986, awards have been presented to individuals who have distinguished themselves with outstanding achievements in their careers, communities, and in service to the arts.
2023 Distinguished Alumni Award Winners
- Joseph Pereira (CFA’96), multifaceted artist
- Adrienne Elise Tarver (CFA’07), artist and educator
- Chay Yew (COM’92), playwright and director
Student Awards
Esther B. and Albert S. Kahn Career Entry Awards
The Esther B. and Albert S. Kahn Career Entry Award Fund was established in 1985 with an endowed contribution of $1 million from Esther Kahn (SED’55, Hon.’86). Each spring, students completing their last semester of graduate or undergraduate studies are eligible to compete for the award.
Grand prize winner: Madeline Riddick-Seals (CFA’24), BFA Theatre Arts – Design, Production & Management (Scene Design), was the grand winner of a $20,000 prize. The finalists listed below received $2,500 stipends.
Finalists:
- James Gold
- Spencer Hart-Thompson
- Kimly Mengyin Wang
- Madeline Riddick-Seals
- Emily Rice
- Tommy Vines