Best colleges for Visual and Performing Arts in Illinois
Ranked by graduates a year
Elmhurst University, School of the Art Institute of Chicago and University of Illinois Chicago award the most Visual and Performing Arts degrees and certificates in Illinois: 13, 11 and 10 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 9 Illinois colleges offer Visual and Performing Arts and award 68 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Visual and Performing Arts program offers a comprehensive exploration of artistic expression through various mediums. This program is designed for students who are passionate about creativity and wish to develop their skills in both…
9 institutions offering Visual and Performing Arts in Illinois
Graduate earnings are not yet reported for these institutions; ordered by graduates a year.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elmhurst University Elmhurst Private not-for-profit | — | 13 | 70% | $20,794 | — |
| 2 | School of the Art Institute of Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | — | 11 | 67% | $48,998 | — |
| 3 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Public | — | 10 | 62% | — | — |
| 4 | University of St Francis Joliet Private not-for-profit | — | 8 | 67% | $15,591 | — |
| 5 | Joliet Junior College Joliet Public | — | 7 | 21% | — | — |
| 6 | Lewis University Romeoville Private not-for-profit | — | 7 | 67% | $17,632 | — |
| 7 | Greenville University Greenville Private not-for-profit | — | 6 | 40% | $20,472 | — |
| 8 | Blackburn College Carlinville Private not-for-profit | — | 3 | 57% | $21,088 | — |
| 9 | Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills Public | — | 3 | 40% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Visual and Performing Arts degrees in Illinois
Top 8 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elmhurst University Elmhurst Private not-for-profit | 13 | Not reported |
| 2 | School of the Art Institute of Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
| 3 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of St Francis Joliet Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 5 | Lewis University Romeoville Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
| 6 | Greenville University Greenville Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 7 | Blackburn College Carlinville Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 8 | Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills Public | 3 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 Illinois colleges offering Visual and Performing Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet Junior College | Joliet | Public | 7 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Visual and Performing Arts programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Visual and Performing Arts degrees?+
Elmhurst University (13 graduates a year), School of the Art Institute of Chicago (11 graduates a year) and University of Illinois Chicago (10 graduates a year) award the most Visual and Performing Arts degrees and certificates in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 9 Illinois colleges offer Visual and Performing Arts.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Illinois is $66,980 (median $62,560), across about 8,960 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Visual and Performing Arts program?+
The Visual and Performing Arts program offers a comprehensive exploration of artistic expression through various mediums. This program is designed for students who are passionate about creativity and wish to develop their skills in both…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop active listening, speaking, critical thinking, writing, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Graphic Designers?+
The national job outlook is about +2.1% growth with around 20,000 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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