Iowa · Visual and Performing Arts

Best colleges for Visual and Performing Arts in Iowa

Ranked by graduates a year

Iowa Central Community College, Kirkwood Community College and Iowa State University award the most Visual and Performing Arts degrees and certificates in Iowa: 15, 13 and 10 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 5 Iowa colleges offer Visual and Performing Arts and award 41 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…

Institutions
5
offering CIP 50.01
States offered
47
with a program page
Degrees / yr
41
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
—
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
0
College Scorecard
Median net price
$21,324
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
55%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Graphic Designers
$54,820
BLS OEWS May 2025

5 institutions offering Visual and Performing Arts in Iowa

Graduate earnings are not yet reported for these institutions; ordered by graduates a year.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge Public
—1542%——
2Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids Public
—1343%——
3Iowa State University
Ames Public
—1075%——
4University of Iowa
Iowa City Public
—275%——
5University of Dubuque
Dubuque Private not-for-profit
—140%$21,324—

Colleges awarding the most Visual and Performing Arts degrees in Iowa

Top 5 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.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge Public
15Not reported
2Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids Public
13Not reported
3Iowa State University
Ames Public
10Not reported
4University of Iowa
Iowa City Public
2Not reported
5University of Dubuque
Dubuque Private not-for-profit
1Not reported

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+2.1%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~20,000
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$61,300
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Active ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingWritingActive LearningReading Comprehension

What Graphic Designers earn in Iowa

Jobs in Iowa
2,100
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$54,820
median $50,310
Best-paying metro
$58,100
Cedar Rapids, IA

Related careers

Graphic Designers
$54,820 avg · 2,100 jobs
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
$90,180 avg · 910 jobs
Photographers
$42,860 avg · 430 jobs
Art Directors
$91,220 avg · 280 jobs
Artists and Related Workers, All Other
$42,140 avg · 70 jobs
Special Effects Artists and Animators
$59,740

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Visual and Performing Arts programs in Iowa.

Which Iowa colleges award the most Visual and Performing Arts degrees?+

Iowa Central Community College (15 graduates a year), Kirkwood Community College (13 graduates a year) and Iowa State University (10 graduates a year) award the most Visual and Performing Arts degrees and certificates in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 5 Iowa colleges offer Visual and Performing Arts.

How much do Graphic Designers earn in Iowa?+

The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Iowa is $54,820 (median $50,310), across about 2,100 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).

Visual and Performing Arts in other statesWisconsinVirginiaColoradoVermontMissouriFloridaTexasCalifornia

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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