Best Art programs in Wisconsin, ranked by enrollment
Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts.
39 schools in Wisconsin run programs that feed this job, graduating 2,035 people a year. The job pays a median of $77,560 in Wisconsin across about 1,840 jobs (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Fields of study in Wisconsin that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level. Numbers are graduates per year in this state.
34 programs in Wisconsin that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year in Wisconsin (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are national College Scorecard figures reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. Each program also links to its own Wisconsin page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 50.0409In Wisconsin → | 338 | 16.6% | 19 | $31,611 | $26,000 |
| 2 | CIP 50.0701In Wisconsin → | 303 | 14.9% | 17 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 3 | CIP 50.0501In Wisconsin → | 165 | 8.1% | 18 | $20,667 | $24,994 |
| 4 | CIP 50.0702In Wisconsin → | 149 | 7.3% | 8 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 5 | CIP 50.0602In Wisconsin → | 114 | 5.6% | 6 | $25,014 | $24,650 |
| 6 | CIP 50.0601In Wisconsin → | 101 | 5.0% | 3 | $25,014 | $24,650 |
| 7 | CIP 50.0903In Wisconsin → | 95 | 4.7% | 6 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 8 | CIP 50.0410In Wisconsin → | 94 | 4.6% | 1 | $31,611 | $26,000 |
| 9 | CIP 50.0102In Wisconsin → | 91 | 4.5% | 6 | $24,752 | $25,963 |
| 10 | CIP 50.0401In Wisconsin → | 90 | 4.4% | 5 | $31,611 | $26,000 |
| 11 | CIP 13.1302In Wisconsin → | 81 | 4.0% | 11 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 12 | CIP 13.1312In Wisconsin → | 78 | 3.8% | 12 | $43,033 | $26,044 |
| 13 | CIP 50.0703In Wisconsin → | 61 | 3.0% | 4 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 14 | CIP 50.0301In Wisconsin → | 49 | 2.4% | 4 | $21,877 | $25,000 |
| 15 | CIP 50.0404In Wisconsin → | 37 | 1.8% | 2 | $31,611 | $26,000 |
| 16 | CIP 50.0406In Wisconsin → | 29 | 1.4% | 3 | $31,611 | $26,000 |
| 17 | CIP 50.1002In Wisconsin → | 25 | 1.2% | 2 | $28,050 | $25,468 |
| 18 | CIP 50.0101In Wisconsin → | 21 | 1.0% | 2 | $24,752 | $25,963 |
| 19 | CIP 50.0509In Wisconsin → | 18 | 0.9% | 2 | $20,667 | $24,994 |
| 20 | CIP 50.0912In Wisconsin → | 14 | 0.7% | 1 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 21 | CIP 50.0799In Wisconsin → | 13 | 0.6% | 3 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 22 | Visual and Performing Arts, Othermain feeder CIP 50.9999In Wisconsin → | 11 | 0.5% | 3 | $24,229 | $25,000 |
| 23 | CIP 50.0407In Wisconsin → | 11 | 0.5% | 2 | $31,611 | $26,000 |
| 24 | CIP 50.0913In Wisconsin → | 10 | 0.5% | 2 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 25 | CIP 50.0399In Wisconsin → | 8 | 0.4% | 2 | $21,877 | $25,000 |
| 26 | CIP 50.0908In Wisconsin → | 8 | 0.4% | 1 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 27 | CIP 50.0706In Wisconsin → | 6 | 0.3% | 1 | $24,447 | $25,294 |
| 28 | CIP 50.0904In Wisconsin → | 4 | 0.2% | 3 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 29 | CIP 50.0605In Wisconsin → | 3 | 0.1% | 2 | $25,014 | $24,650 |
| 30 | CIP 50.0999In Wisconsin → | 3 | 0.1% | 1 | $25,929 | $25,980 |
| 31 | CIP 50.1001In Wisconsin → | 2 | 0.1% | 2 | $28,050 | $25,468 |
| 32 | CIP 50.0502In Wisconsin → | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $20,667 | $24,994 |
| 33 | CIP 50.0510In Wisconsin → | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $20,667 | $24,994 |
| 34 | CIP 50.0599In Wisconsin → | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $20,667 | $24,994 |
Top 25 schools in Wisconsin
Ranked by graduates per year into this job. Graduate earnings are reported for 22 of the 39 schools in this state.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI Public · 12 feeder programs | 436 | Art/Art Studies, General | $30,503 | 90% | — | 45% |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI Public · 13 feeder programs | 274 | Film/Cinema/Media Studies | $23,840 | 49% | — | 91% |
| 3 | Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Milwaukee, WI Private not-for-profit · 4 feeder programs | 155 | Illustration | $28,801 | 67% | $26,078 | 61% |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WI Public · 7 feeder programs | 152 | Graphic Design | $40,615 | 55% | — | 88% |
| 5 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI Public · 8 feeder programs | 102 | Music Teacher Education | $40,005 | 51% | — | 92% |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WI Public · 7 feeder programs | 91 | Visual and Performing Arts, General | $28,226 | 59% | — | 86% |
| 7 | Lawrence University Appleton, WI Private not-for-profit · 8 feeder programs | 85 | Music Performance, General | — | 77% | $19,788 | 64% |
| 8 | University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI Public · 5 feeder programs | 72 | Art/Art Studies, General | $34,582 | 64% | — | 82% |
| 9 | Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee, WI Public · 4 feeder programs | 55 | Graphic Design | $27,795 | 25% | — | — |
| 10 | Carthage College Kenosha, WI Private not-for-profit · 10 feeder programs | 51 | Music Pedagogy | $24,273 | 64% | $22,844 | 87% |
| 11 | Madison Area Technical College Madison, WI Public · 3 feeder programs | 51 | Graphic Design | $30,710 | 29% | — | — |
| 12 | University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI Public · 5 feeder programs | 44 | Fine/Studio Arts, General | $38,585 | 46% | — | 87% |
| 13 | University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Green Bay, WI Public · 4 feeder programs | 42 | Design and Visual Communications, General | $32,991 | 48% | — | 89% |
| 14 | Western Technical College La Crosse, WI Public · 2 feeder programs | 40 | Graphic Design | $23,032 | 34% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Wisconsin - Parkside Kenosha, WI Public · 4 feeder programs | 38 | Digital Arts | — | 40% | — | 75% |
| 16 | Waukesha County Technical College Pewaukee, WI Public · 1 feeder programs | 32 | Graphic Design | $39,095 | 44% | — | — |
| 17 | Marquette University Milwaukee, WI Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 31 | Cinematography and Film/Video Production | — | 83% | $25,376 | 81% |
| 18 | Viterbo University La Crosse, WI Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 31 | Musical Theatre | $19,930 | 68% | $20,655 | 72% |
| 19 | Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WI Public · 1 feeder programs | 23 | Graphic Design | — | 50% | — | — |
| 20 | University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WI Public · 2 feeder programs | 23 | Art/Art Studies, General | $19,407 | 71% | — | 76% |
| 21 | University of Wisconsin - River Falls River Falls, WI Public · 4 feeder programs | 22 | Art/Art Studies, General | $28,801 | 57% | — | 82% |
| 22 | Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Green Bay, WI Public · 2 feeder programs | 21 | Commercial Photography | — | 51% | — | — |
| 23 | Carroll University Waukesha, WI Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 20 | Graphic Design | — | 71% | $22,601 | 67% |
| 24 | Saint Norbert College De Pere, WI Private not-for-profit · 5 feeder programs | 19 | Art Teacher Education | $43,829 | 71% | $23,319 | 86% |
| 25 | Gateway Technical College Kenosha, WI Public · 1 feeder programs | 17 | Graphic Design | $29,734 | 51% | — | — |
All 39 schools in Wisconsin
Every school in Wisconsin with a program that feeds this job, ordered by graduates per year. Earnings are shown for the ranked schools above; open a school profile for the rest.
| School | City | Control | Graduates / yr | Feeder programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin - Madison | Madison | Public | 436 | 12 |
| University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee | Milwaukee | Public | 274 | 13 |
| Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design | Milwaukee | Private not-for-profit | 155 | 4 |
| University of Wisconsin - Stout | Menomonie | Public | 152 | 7 |
| University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point | Stevens Point | Public | 102 | 8 |
| University of Wisconsin - Whitewater | Whitewater | Public | 91 | 7 |
| Lawrence University | Appleton | Private not-for-profit | 85 | 8 |
| University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire | Eau Claire | Public | 72 | 5 |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College | Milwaukee | Public | 55 | 4 |
| Carthage College | Kenosha | Private not-for-profit | 51 | 10 |
| Madison Area Technical College | Madison | Public | 51 | 3 |
| University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh | Oshkosh | Public | 44 | 5 |
| University of Wisconsin - Green Bay | Green Bay | Public | 42 | 4 |
| Western Technical College | La Crosse | Public | 40 | 2 |
| University of Wisconsin - Parkside | Kenosha | Public | 38 | 4 |
What art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary earn in Wisconsin
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
U.S. median $78,620. Wisconsin pays below the national figure.
1.00× means the state has its expected share of these jobs.
Metro areas in Wisconsin
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Growth and openings are national. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish employment projections at state level, so these figures describe the occupation across the whole U.S., not this state alone.
How to get in
The full skills, tools, and day-to-day breakdown lives on the national Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary page.
How to become a Art
Job zone 5 of 5 · SVP 8.0 and above- Typical entry education
- Master's degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Top skills
The same job in other states
Where else this occupation employs the most people, and what it pays there.
Related careers in Wisconsin
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 25 majors mapped to Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary25 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 13.1302Art Teacher Education
- 13.1312Music Teacher Education
- 13.1324Drama and Dance Teacher Education
- 50.0101Visual and Performing Arts, General
- 50.0102Digital Arts
- 50.0201Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry
- 50.0301Dance, General
- 50.0302Ballet
- 50.0399Dance, Other
- 50.0401Design and Visual Communications, General
- 50.0404Industrial and Product Design
- 50.0406Commercial Photography
- 50.0407Fashion/Apparel Design
- 50.0409Graphic Design
- 50.0410Illustration
- 50.0501Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
- 50.0502Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology
- 50.0504Playwriting and Screenwriting
- 50.0505Theatre Literature, History and Criticism
- 50.0506Acting
- 50.0507Directing and Theatrical Production
- 50.0509Musical Theatre
- 50.0510Costume Design
- 50.0511Comedy Writing and Performance
- 50.0512Theatre and Dance
Common questions
Answers for people weighing art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary programs in Wisconsin.
What degree do you need to become an Art?+
Master's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Graphic Design, which awarded 338 degrees in Wisconsin in 2024-25, 16.6% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming an Art?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 34 programs to this occupation. The largest are Design and Applied Arts, Fine and Studio Arts, Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, plus 6 more. Together they graduate about 2,035 people a year in Wisconsin.
How much do art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary earn in Wisconsin?+
The median is $77,560 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). That is 1.3% below the U.S. median of $78,620. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary growing?+
BLS projects a +1.7% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, little or no change, with roughly 9,000 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career in Wisconsin?+
39 institutions in Wisconsin reported graduates from at least one of the 34 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Professor, Art Professor, Music Professor, Theater Professor among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 25-1121.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024–25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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