Wisconsin · Design and Applied Arts

Best Design and Applied Arts institutions in Wisconsin, ranked by earnings

The Design and Applied Arts program focuses on the intersection of design and practical application, teaching students how to create aesthetically pleasing objects for everyday use. This program is ideal for individuals interested in…

Institutions
25
offering CIP 50.04
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
922
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$35,511
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
16
College Scorecard
Median net price
$22,627
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
53%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Graphic Designers
$60,140
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison Public · Bachelor's degree
$49,78013290%$20,875
2University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
Stevens Point Public · Bachelor's degree
$41,2432851%$23,684
3University of Wisconsin - Stout
Menomonie Public · Bachelor's degree
$40,61514555%$27,000
4Waukesha County Technical College
Pewaukee Public · Associate degree
$39,0954644%$15,554
5Saint Norbert College
De Pere Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$37,856571%$23,319$27,000
6Carthage College
Kenosha Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$35,5111464%$22,844$27,000
7University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Green Bay Public · Bachelor's degree
$32,9912348%$18,186
8Fox Valley Technical College
Appleton Public · Associate degree
$32,6734865%$16,582
9Rasmussen University - Wisconsin
Green Bay Private for-profit · Associate degree
$32,246357%$19,547$28,722
10Madison Area Technical College
Madison Public · Associate degree
$30,7108629%$15,750

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 Wisconsin

Jobs in Wisconsin
4,630
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$60,140
median $58,380
Best-paying metro
$65,540
Madison, WI

Related careers

Graphic Designers
$60,140 avg · 4,630 jobs
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
$72,920 avg · 1,360 jobs
Interior Designers
$78,580 avg · 1,170 jobs
Photographers
$49,940 avg · 1,040 jobs
Web and Digital Interface Designers
$86,980 avg · 850 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in Wisconsin.

Which Design and Applied Arts program in Wisconsin has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), University of Wisconsin - Madison tops the list at $49,780. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Graphic Designers earn in Wisconsin?+

The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Wisconsin is $60,140 (median $58,380), across about 4,630 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Design and Applied Arts program?+

The Design and Applied Arts program focuses on the intersection of design and practical application, teaching students how to create aesthetically pleasing objects for everyday use. This program is ideal for individuals interested in…

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).

Explore every U.S. college in one conversation

Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.

Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card