Best colleges for Fine and Studio Arts in Wisconsin
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee are the top bachelor's Fine and Studio Arts programs in Wisconsin by graduate earnings. University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,585, College Scorecard. University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in Wisconsin: 187, 75 and 47 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 24 Wisconsin colleges offer Fine and Studio Arts and award 532 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Fine and Studio Arts program focuses on the practice and theory of visual arts and design, encompassing various disciplines such as illustration, painting, sculpture, and graphic design. This program is ideal for students who are…
Top 10 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,585 | 35 | 46% | — | $27,000 |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Claire Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,582 | 47 | 64% | — | $25,371 |
| 3 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,985 | 75 | 49% | — | $28,000 |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,503 | 187 | 90% | — | $19,316 |
| 5 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Whitewater Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,122 | 20 | 59% | — | $25,250 |
| 6 | Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Milwaukee Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $20,762 | 28 | 67% | $26,078 | $27,000 |
| 7 | University of Wisconsin-Platteville Platteville Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $37,379 | 12 | 56% | — | — |
| 8 | University of Wisconsin-Stout Menomonie Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,077 | 15 | 55% | — | — |
| 9 | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $29,334 | 13 | 51% | — | $26,000 |
| 10 | University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $28,801 | 11 | 57% | — | $30,084 |
Colleges awarding the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in Wisconsin
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, 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 | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Public | 187 | $30,503 |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee Public | 75 | $31,985 |
| 3 | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Claire Public | 47 | $34,582 |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh Public | 35 | $38,585 |
| 5 | Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Milwaukee Private not-for-profit | 28 | $20,762 |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Whitewater Public | 20 | $26,122 |
| 7 | Lawrence University Appleton Private not-for-profit | 19 | Not reported |
| 8 | University of Wisconsin-Stout Menomonie Public | 15 | $30,077 |
| 9 | University of Wisconsin-La Crosse La Crosse Public | 14 | $19,407 |
| 10 | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point Public | 13 | $29,334 |
ShowHide the other 14 Wisconsin colleges offering Fine and Studio Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Platteville | Platteville | Public | 12 |
| University of Wisconsin-River Falls | River Falls | Public | 11 |
| Carthage College | Kenosha | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| University of Wisconsin-Green Bay | Green Bay | Public | 8 |
| University of Wisconsin-Superior | Superior | Public | 8 |
| Beloit College | Beloit | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| University of Wisconsin-Parkside | Kenosha | Public | 7 |
| Alverno College | Milwaukee | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Mount Mary University | Milwaukee | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Edgewood University | Madison | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Lakeland University | Plymouth | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Ripon College | Ripon | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Saint Norbert College | De Pere | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Wisconsin Lutheran College | Milwaukee | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators (SOC 27-1013).
Top skills
What Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators earn in Wisconsin
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Fine and Studio Arts programs in Wisconsin.
Which Wisconsin colleges award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees?+
University of Wisconsin-Madison (187 graduates a year), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (75 graduates a year) and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (47 graduates a year) award the most Fine and Studio Arts degrees in Wisconsin, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 24 Wisconsin colleges offer Fine and Studio Arts.
What is the best college for Fine and Studio Arts in Wisconsin?+
By graduate earnings, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh leads among bachelor's Fine and Studio Arts programs in Wisconsin, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,585, College Scorecard. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee follow. By degrees awarded, University of Wisconsin-Madison is the largest, with 187 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Fine and Studio Arts program in Wisconsin has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh tops the list at $38,585. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators earn in Wisconsin?+
The average annual wage for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators in Wisconsin is $58,240 (median $53,350), across about 100 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Fine and Studio Arts program?+
The Fine and Studio Arts program focuses on the practice and theory of visual arts and design, encompassing various disciplines such as illustration, painting, sculpture, and graphic design. This program is ideal for students who are…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, active learning, active listening, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators?+
The national job outlook is about -1.2% growth with around 2,200 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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