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Best Value Fine and Studio Arts Colleges in Wisconsin

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Wisconsin's Fine and Studio Arts programs split dramatically between public bargains and expensive private options, with net costs ranging from $12,878 at UW-Green Bay to $27,514 at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. Public universities dominate the value equation here, offering in-state tuition as low as $8,212 at UW-Oshkosh while private institutions push past $40,000 annually. The earnings picture tells an interesting story, with UW-Platteville graduates earning $34,704 despite the program's modest $14,754 net cost, while expensive private art schools see graduates starting around $20,140. Wisconsin's strong manufacturing base, anchored by companies like GE Healthcare and Kimberly-Clark, creates opportunities for arts graduates in industrial design, packaging, and corporate communications. UW-Madison stands out with an 89.3% graduation rate, nearly 20 points higher than most state schools, though its selective 49% acceptance rate reflects the competition.
29
Programs
$10,044 – $27,514
Net Price Range
$27,268
Avg. Program Earnings
60.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

29 Fine and Studio Arts Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $14,754 $34,704 $8,315 61.5% 85.4%
2 $14,785 $33,192 $8,250 64.3% 82.4%
3 $12,878 $25,658 $8,342 53.1% 89.6%
4 $14,761 $28,381 $8,212 57.9% 88.5%
5 $16,948 $31,825 $9,277 67.6% 76.6%
6 $15,374 $28,236 $9,651 71.2% 74.3%
7 $16,177 $28,734 $10,020 51.2% 86.3%
8 $14,714 $25,774 $8,606 60.9% 84.5%
9 $16,928 $28,236 $11,205 89.3% 49.1%
10 $13,726 $22,192 $8,834 56.0% 89.1%
11 $21,924 $20,140 $58,554 67.2% 65.9%
12 $27,514 $20,140 $42,268 63.3% 64.0%
13 $22,092 $32,286 55.7% 99.5%
14 $16,722 $32,794 50.5% 89.9%
15 $24,362 $37,230 69.6% 72.1%
16 $24,813 $36,500 60.5% 81.8%
17 $26,067 $34,250 64.3% 70.4%
18 $25,634 $34,850 67.4% 98.6%
19 $13,405 $8,487 44.1% 95.6%
20 $17,365 $10,142 52.5% 86.3%
21 $10,044 $7,855 39.8% 72.8%
22 $20,780 $42,491 43.3% 68.4%
23 $21,315 $35,080 62.7% 93.8%
24 $24,563 $55,461 76.4% 72.3%
25 $23,341 $33,000 41.2% 71.6%
26 $18,295 $34,390 58.9% 69.5%
27 $22,633 $32,350 65.2% 72.4%
28 $25,674 $44,432 73.6% 83.6%
29 $21,176 $50,700 59.9% 81.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $14,636 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

UW-Green Bay offers the lowest net cost at $12,878, while Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design reaches $27,514, primarily due to the public versus private divide. Public universities benefit from state funding and lower in-state tuition rates averaging $8,600. Private institutions like MIAD and Beloit College charge full tuition regardless of residency. The Wisconsin Grant provides additional support for in-state students at public universities.

How do earnings vary between the top and bottom performing programs?

UW-Platteville graduates earn $34,704 annually, while both Beloit College and Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design graduates start at $20,140, creating a $14,564 gap. UW-Whitewater follows closely with $33,192 in graduate earnings. Interestingly, the highest-earning programs often have lower net costs, suggesting public universities provide better return on investment. UW-Eau Claire graduates earn $31,825 despite paying $16,948 annually.

Is UW-Madison worth the higher cost compared to other public options?

UW-Madison charges $16,928 net cost, about $2,000 more than most UW system schools, but delivers an strong 89.3% graduation rate. This compares to 51-71% at other state universities, meaning Madison students are far more likely to complete their degrees. However, graduates earn $28,236, less than UW-Platteville and UW-Whitewater alumni. Madison's highly selective 49% acceptance rate reflects its academic reputation beyond just arts programs.

Does student debt burden vary significantly across Wisconsin art programs?

Debt levels range from $16,750 at UW-Madison to $27,000 at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design among schools reporting this data. UW-La Crosse keeps debt lowest at $19,125 despite solid graduation rates of 71.2%. UW-Whitewater students graduate with $21,602 in debt but earn $33,192 annually, creating a favorable debt-to-income ratio. Private schools generally saddle students with higher debt loads relative to their earning potential.

Where do acceptance rates suggest the most competitive programs?

UW-Madison maintains the most selective admissions at 49.06%, followed by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design at 63.97%. Most public universities accept 80-90% of applicants, with Lakeland University nearly guaranteeing admission at 99.51%. Carroll University selects 72.14% of applicants while maintaining a strong 69.6% graduation rate. Lower acceptance rates don't always correlate with better outcomes, as evidenced by varying graduation rates across programs.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.