At $27,514/yr net price, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design graduates earn $41,174/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,174/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $27,514 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $110,056 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,174/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,174/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 15.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 63.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $23,183/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $22,634/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,112/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $29,328/yr |
| $110,001+ | $32,135/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $37,363 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $20,140 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
63.3% of students at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 37% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design charges a net price near $27,500 a year and sends you out earning about $41,000 a decade later. That gap is the whole story here. You take on $27,000 in median debt to reach a salary that barely clears entry-level wages in most fields. The return is weak, and the numbers say so plainly.
Program data makes the split clear. Design and Applied Arts graduates earn roughly $37,000, while Fine and Studio Arts graduates land around $20,140 , the same $27,000 debt load buys wildly different outcomes. If you enroll for fine arts, you carry full debt against earnings that trail what many jobs pay without a degree. Design is the stronger bet by a wide margin, though even it sits below the four-year college norm.
The core risk is specific to an art school with no high-earning technical or professional programs to offset the low pay. Every path runs through creative fields where income stays modest, so your debt does not shrink relative to what you make. A 63% graduation rate also means a real share of you leave with debt and no credential.
The net price tiers hit families oddly here. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $22,600 to $23,200 , barely less than families earning $48,000 to $75,000. Cross $75,000 and the price jumps toward $29,000, then past $32,000 above $110,000. Lower-income families get little discount for their income level.
This school fits you if you are set on a design career and can keep borrowing at or below the $27,000 median. Look elsewhere if you want fine arts specifically, or if you need your degree to produce a salary that clears your loan payments. The earnings do not support heavy debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design worth the high tuition cost?
The numbers suggest caution. With graduates earning a median of $41,174 ten years after enrollment and a net price of $27,514 per year, many students struggle to recoup their investment quickly.
What are the best paying majors at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design?
Design and Applied Arts graduates earn around $37,363, while Fine and Studio Arts graduates make significantly less at $20,140. The income gap between programs is substantial and should factor heavily into program choice.
How much student debt do Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design graduates typically have?
The median debt load is $27,000, which is manageable compared to many art schools. However, given the relatively low starting salaries, even this amount can create financial strain for graduates.
Does Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design have good job placement rates?
The school has a 63% graduation rate, which is concerning for the tuition cost. Lower graduation rates often correlate with weaker career services and job placement support.