Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design at a Glance
The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) is a private art school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1974, MIAD is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. The Jane Bradley Pettit Building is the college's main academic building, located on the Milwaukee River in the Historic Third Ward.
1974
52 years old
$3M
$3.2 million (2017)
885
200
Is Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Worth It?
At a value score of 25/100, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $41,174 — 23% below average — while paying $26,541/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.6-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 65% graduation rate means roughly 35% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With median debt of $27,000 representing 66% of first-year earnings, loan repayment will be a significant burden for most graduates.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #38 of 88 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Turtle Mountain College | 100 | $3,428 | $32,079 |
| #2 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #3 | Hallmark University | 54 | $12,513 | $40,183 |
| #4 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #5 | Wesleyan College | 43 | $12,724 | $44,317 |
| #6 | Boricua College | 43 | $15,245 | $35,348 |
| #38 | Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design | 25 | $26,541 | $41,174 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in WI.
Best Programs at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
The highest-earning program at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is Design and Applied Arts at $32,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $18,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Design and Applied Arts graduate from Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design earns $32,400, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $18,700. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Design and Applied Arts graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $30,750 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $26,541/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts | $32,400 | $32,400 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $18,700 | $18,700 | $30,750 |
Similar Colleges in WI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Milwaukee, WI
- Student Body
- 837 students
- Admission Rate
- 61%
- Graduation Rate
- 65%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $26,541
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $41,174
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000