Design and Applied Arts at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design

Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design graduates face a tough first year—earning $28,801 puts them in the bottom quarter of both national and Wisconsin design programs. That's nearly $8,000 below the state median and well behind what students earn from UW-Madison ($49,780) or even UW-Stevens Point ($41,243). The $27,000 in debt isn't unusually high for art school, but when you're earning under $29,000, even moderate debt feels heavy.

Here's what changes the equation: four years out, these graduates are earning $47,768—a 66% jump that represents one of the strongest earnings trajectories we track. That growth closes much of the gap with Wisconsin's flagship programs and pushes graduates solidly into middle-class territory. The question is whether your family can weather those lean early years, which often coincide with living independently and establishing a career in creative fields.

The value here depends entirely on your financial cushion. If your child can live at home or has family support during those first couple years while building their portfolio and client base, this program's strong mid-career trajectory makes sense. But if they'll be paying rent and loan payments on that $28,801 starting salary, the math gets significantly harder. Art school works best for families who can invest in the long game.