Wisconsin · Visual and Performing Arts

Best colleges for Visual and Performing Arts in Wisconsin

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, University of Wisconsin-Stout and University of Wisconsin-Parkside award the most Visual and Performing Arts degrees and certificates in Wisconsin: 40, 39 and 18 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 Wisconsin colleges offer Visual and Performing Arts and award 112 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
7
offering CIP 50.01
States offered
47
with a program page
Degrees / yr
112
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$28,226
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$25,239
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
52%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Graphic Designers
$62,410
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 2 institutions, 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.

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
1University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Whitewater Public · Bachelor's degree
$28,2264059%—$24,500
2University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee Public · Certificate Small program
$34,346749%—$25,787

Colleges awarding the most Visual and Performing Arts degrees in Wisconsin

Top 6 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)
1University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Whitewater Public
40$28,226
2University of Wisconsin-Stout
Menomonie Public
39Not reported
3University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Kenosha Public
18Not reported
4University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee Public
7$34,346
5Maranatha Baptist University
Watertown Private not-for-profit
4Not reported
6Beloit College
Beloit Private not-for-profit
1Not reported
Show the other 1 Wisconsin colleges offering Visual and Performing Arts
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Milwaukee Area Technical CollegeMilwaukeePublic3

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
4,130
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$62,410
median $59,900
Best-paying metro
$73,130
Kenosha, WI

Related careers

Graphic Designers
$62,410 avg · 4,130 jobs
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
$76,750 avg · 1,840 jobs
Photographers
$49,640 avg · 850 jobs
Art Directors
$95,070 avg · 730 jobs
Special Effects Artists and Animators
$81,240 avg · 210 jobs
Craft Artists
$54,790 avg · 190 jobs

Common questions

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

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

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (40 graduates a year), University of Wisconsin-Stout (39 graduates a year) and University of Wisconsin-Parkside (18 graduates a year) award the most Visual and Performing Arts degrees and certificates in Wisconsin, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 Wisconsin colleges offer Visual and Performing Arts.

Which Visual and Performing 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-Whitewater tops the list at $28,226. Compare it against graduates a year, 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 $62,410 (median $59,900), across about 4,130 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 statesVirginiaColoradoVermontMissouriFloridaTexasCaliforniaIndiana

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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