Best institutions to study Intermedia/Multimedia
A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions in either two or three dimensions, through simultaneous use of a variety of materials and media.
39 U.S. institutions graduated 797 Intermedia/Multimedia students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0706, a specialization of Fine and Studio Arts (CIP 50.07), and leads most directly to the Art Directors occupation (BLS SOC 27-1011).
About Intermedia/Multimedia programs
A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions in either two or three dimensions, through simultaneous use of a variety of materials and media.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Intermedia/Multimedia program, part of the Fine and Studio Arts field, is designed for individuals who wish to creatively and technically express emotions, ideas, or inner visions using various materials and media. This program prepares students for a diverse range of artistic practices, focusing on both two-dimensional and three-dimensional forms of expression.
Students in this program will develop core skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework often includes design principles, fine arts techniques, and knowledge of computers and electronics, equipping graduates with a well-rounded foundation for their artistic careers.
Credentials awarded
What Intermedia/Multimedia graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree634 graduates / yr · 24 institutions80%
- Associate's degree111 graduates / yr · 5 institutions14%
- Master's degree36 graduates / yr · 10 institutions4.5%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year13 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.6%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Intermedia/Multimedia completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 534 |
| 2013 | 534 |
| 2014 | 665 |
| 2015 | 1,430 |
| 2016 | 1,290 |
| 2017 | 1,387 |
| 2018 | 1,420 |
| 2019 | 934 |
| 2020 | 840 |
| 2021 | 800 |
| 2022 | 793 |
| 2023 | 722 |
| 2024 | 723 |
| 2025 | 797 |
Top 39 institutions for Intermedia/Multimedia, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Full Sail University Winter Park, FLPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 370 | 44% | $32,163 | $22,603 |
| 2 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicBachelor's | 62 | 72% | — | $26,404 |
| 3 | Maryland Institute College of Art Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 42 | 72% | $37,659 | $21,138 |
| 4 | University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MSPublicBachelor's | 42 | 49% | — | — |
| 5 | The College of New Jersey Ewing, NJPublicBachelor's | 33 | 86% | — | $33,214 |
| 6 | Marist University Poughkeepsie, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 31 | 80% | $33,867 | $31,907 |
| 7 | Raritan Valley Community College Branchburg, NJPublicAssociate's | 23 | 31% | — | — |
| 8 | Massachusetts College of Art and Design Boston, MAPublicBachelor's | 19 | 69% | — | $21,461 |
| 9 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicBachelor's | 18 | 58% | — | $24,024 |
| 10 | Augusta University Augusta, GAPublicBachelor's | 17 | 49% | — | $16,943 |
| 11 | California College of the Arts San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 61% | $40,041 | $17,690 |
| 12 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicMaster's | 10 | 55% | — | — |
| 13 | Bristol Community College Fall River, MAPublicAssociate's | 10 | 22% | — | — |
| 14 | Portland Community College Portland, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 10 | 18% | — | — |
| 15 | Rose State College Midwest City, OKPublicAssociate's | 9 | 20% | — | — |
| 16 | California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 70% | $23,129 | — |
| 17 | Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | 49% | $17,436 | — |
| 18 | University of Toledo Toledo, OHPublicBachelor's | 8 | 57% | — | $21,392 |
| 19 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 7 | 52% | $28,087 | $22,765 |
| 20 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 49% | — | $31,985 |
| 21 | The University of Tampa Tampa, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 64% | $33,070 | — |
| 22 | State University of New York at Oswego Oswego, NYPublicMaster's | 5 | 60% | — | — |
| 23 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 5 | 56% | — | $25,694 |
| 24 | Alfred University Alfred, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 57% | $22,481 | $22,912 |
| 25 | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred Alfred, NYPublicBachelor's | 4 | 55% | — | — |
| 26 | Pacific Northwest College of Art Portland, ORPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 29% | $40,553 | $25,906 |
| 27 | University of South Alabama Mobile, ALPublicMaster's | 3 | 53% | — | $20,527 |
| 28 | Calumet College of Saint Joseph Whiting, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 23% | $21,408 | — |
| 29 | Ohio Northern University Ada, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 75% | $23,912 | — |
| 30 | Thomas University Thomasville, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 28% | $18,959 | — |
| 31 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 2 | 75% | — | $29,431 |
| 32 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicMaster's | 2 | 84% | — | — |
| 33 | Weber State University Ogden, UTPublicBachelor's | 2 | 46% | — | — |
| 34 | California Institute of the Arts Valencia, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 67% | $42,045 | — |
| 35 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicDoctoral | 1 | 74% | — | $17,501 |
| 36 | University of Hartford West Hartford, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 54% | $28,311 | $25,465 |
| 37 | University of Maine at Farmington Farmington, MEPublicBachelor's | 1 | 52% | — | — |
| 38 | Maine College of Art & Design Portland, MEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 52% | $34,336 | $24,555 |
| 39 | Delta State University Cleveland, MSPublicMaster's | 1 | 48% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Fine and Studio Arts field (CIP 50.07) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 22 states
Where Intermedia/Multimedia graduates come from. Each state links to all Fine and Studio Arts programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-1011, Art Directors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Intermedia/Multimedia program can pursue careers as Art Directors, Fine Artists, or Special Effects Artists, among others. The job outlook for related occupations shows a growth rate of 4.2%, with approximately 12,300 annual openings and a median wage of $111,040, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 50.0706
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Art Directorsprimary SOC 27-1011 | $114,850 | +4.2% About as fast as average | ~12,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1121 | $78,620 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~9,000 | Master's degree |
Special Effects Artists and Animators SOC 27-1014 | $102,030 | +1.6% Little or no change | ~5,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators SOC 27-1013 | $55,490 | -1.2% Decline | ~2,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Intermedia/Multimedia programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Work with creative directors to develop design solutions.
- Present final layouts to clients for approval.
- Manage own accounts and projects, working within budget and scheduling requirements.
- Confer with creative, art, copywriting, or production department heads to discuss client requirements and presentation concepts and to coordinate creative activities.
- Confer with clients to determine objectives, budget, background information, and presentation approaches, styles, and techniques.
- Formulate basic layout design or presentation approach and specify material details, such as style and size of type, photographs, graphics, animation, video, and sound.
Tools and technology used
Other Fine and Studio Arts specializations
The 12 other 6-digit CIP codes under Fine and Studio Arts (CIP 50.07).
- Art/CIP 50.0701
Art Studies 19,283 graduates / yr717 institutions - Fine/CIP 50.0702
Studio Arts 11,751 graduates / yr637 institutions - Art HistoryCIP 50.07033,195 graduates / yr356 institutions
- Fine Arts and Art StudiesCIP 50.0799771 graduates / yr69 institutions
- Jewelry ArtsCIP 50.0713725 graduates / yr20 institutions
- PaintingCIP 50.0708638 graduates / yr52 institutions
- DrawingCIP 50.0705368 graduates / yr33 institutions
- SculptureCIP 50.0709230 graduates / yr38 institutions
- Ceramic Arts and CeramicsCIP 50.0711172 graduates / yr44 institutions
- PrintmakingCIP 50.0710165 graduates / yr31 institutions
- FiberCIP 50.0712100 graduates / yr10 institutions
- Metal ArtsCIP 50.0714partial data6 graduates / yr3 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, or a Master's degree, along with shorter awards.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an Art Director, Fine Artist, or Special Effects Artist, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows a growth rate of 4.2% with about 12,300 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Intermedia/Multimedia?+
Intermedia/Multimedia is CIP 50.0706 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Fine and Studio Arts (CIP 50.07). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions in either two or three dimensions, through simultaneous use of a variety of materials and media.
How many institutions offer Intermedia/Multimedia programs?+
39 U.S. institutions reported Intermedia/Multimedia graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 22 states, awarding 797 credentials in the year. That is 2.1% of all Fine and Studio Arts graduates.
How much do Intermedia/Multimedia graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Art Directors occupation, which Intermedia/Multimedia most directly leads to, pays a median of $114,850 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Fine and Studio Arts field report median earnings of $24,024 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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