Home › Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design › Design and Applied Arts

Design and Applied Arts at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design

Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,801/yr (-15% vs median)

AI Risk High (38% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (101,000 openings/yr)

ROI 3.4x earnings multiple

Ranked #260 of 290 Design and Applied Arts programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Design and Applied Arts graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$586K	$578K	$537K
Earnings Multiple	3.5x	3.4x	3.2x
Probability of Field Employment	63%	57%	46%
DegreeOutlook Score	23	22	31

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$169,072

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$110,056

35% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$27,000

11.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$53,740

87% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $28,801/yr, roughly in line with the $33,862 national median for Design and Applied Arts. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

At 3.4x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Design and Applied Arts career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $27,000 against $28,801/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #260 ranking among 290 Design and Applied Arts programs places Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $28,801-to-$53,740 earnings arc over five years reflects a 87% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design

A 63% admission rate makes Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a smaller student body of 883 in Milwaukee, WI. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $110,056 — 35% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design →

Top Career Paths

Art directors $111,040/yr

Architecture teachers, postsecondary $101,480/yr

Special effects artists and animators $99,800/yr

View all 14 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Design and Applied Arts at Other Schools

Other Majors at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 22/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Design and Applied Arts at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design?

At 22/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Design and Applied Arts programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Design and Applied Arts at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design?

The 38% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →