Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is a private nonprofit university in Milwaukee, WI ranked #905 nationally by EDsmart, earning an overall grade of B, enrolling about 883 undergraduates, and with an acceptance rate near 62.8%. Students most often pursue Design and Applied Arts and Fine and Studio Arts.
Inside the classroom, students benefit from a 11:1 student-faculty ratio, 83.7% first-year retention, and 63.3% six-year graduation. Faculty pair challenging syllabi with intentional mentoring so learners keep momentum even as expectations rise.
Families typically invest $27,514, about $10,516 more than the national median. EDsmart calculates return on investment at -72.9%, roughly 158.2 points below typical outcomes. Six years after enrolling, alumni report median earnings of $29,841. That's about $13,847 below national results. Expect the strongest outcomes for students who appreciate an encouraging campus with room to explore.
Who is Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
EDsmart Scores Summary
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design graduates 63.3% of students within six years and keeps 83.7% of first-year students. Affordability earns a C+ compared with similar schools.
How we calculate this →Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $42,268 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,060 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | $10,430 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $1,844 |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $52,646 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 36.4% of Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students receive Pell Grants — in line with the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $23,183 to $32,135 depending on family income. Use Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $29,328/year
If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $32,135/year
See all income brackets →ROI & Career Outcomes
- 6-Year Median Earnings $29,841
- 10-Year Median Earnings $29,841
- Average Years to Graduate 4.5 years
- Average Student Debt $15,750
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 57.3%
- Employment Rate 88.1%
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
EDsmart Insight: While Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design graduates earn $29,841 median, the -72.9% ROI suggests the investment may take longer to pay off. Consider your major choice and career goals when evaluating value.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading 520-620
- SAT Math 420-520
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite 20-28
- SAT & ACT Required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 883
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Retention Rate 83.7%
- Graduation Rate 63.3%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 11:1
How to Get Into Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
1. Meet Academic Requirements: Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 62.8%, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is relatively open. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: With a 62.8% acceptance rate, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is more accessible than highly selective schools. Meeting the test score ranges and maintaining a solid GPA significantly improves admission chances. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 940 and 1140 on the SAT.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design undergraduates. Design and Applied Arts, Fine and Studio Arts, and Interior Architecture draw the most students.
- Design and Applied Arts 67.4%
- Fine and Studio Arts 21.5%
- Interior Architecture 10.4%
- Graphic Communications 0.7%
- Film/Video and Photographic Arts 0.0%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)
- 1. Design and Applied Arts $53,740
- 2. Fine and Studio Arts $32,788
Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Design and Applied Arts grads earn $53,740—64% more than Fine and Studio Arts ($32,788). Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degree, 91 graduates)
- Fine and Studio Arts (Bachelor's Degree, 29 graduates)
- Interior Architecture (Bachelor's Degree, 14 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Bachelor's Degrees (3 programs)▼
- Design and Applied Arts
- Fine and Studio Arts
- Interior Architecture
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 883
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Male Students 20.8%
- Female Students 79.2%
- Caucasian 65.1%
- Asian 4.3%
- Hispanic 16.9%
- Black 5.7%
- Pell Grant Recipients 36.4%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design's undergraduate population. Women make up 79.2% of the student body, while men represent 20.8%.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
EDsmart Insight: Women make up 79.2% of undergraduates.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design offers a private university experience at a regional scale, combining smaller class sizes with -72.9% ROI. Ranked #905 nationally, the institution balances personalized attention against higher costs than public alternatives.
The $27,514 annual net price is significantly higher than public universities, offset somewhat by $29,841 median earnings. With 63.3% graduating within six years and 83.7% returning for sophomore year, outcomes reflect the personalized support typical of smaller private institutions.
Private University Value: Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design's Positioning
With a B grade and #905 ranking, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design competes in the crowded regional private university market.
The Private University Premium: At $27,514 annually, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design charges more than public alternatives but typically offers smaller classes, more personalized advising, and tighter-knit campus communities. The 83.7% retention rate suggests students value this environment.
Who Benefits Most: Students who thrive in smaller, more intimate academic settings. Those seeking specific programs or values-based education aligned with the institution's mission. Students who receive merit scholarships that bring costs below $19,260 achieve particularly strong value.
Cost-Benefit Reality: The -72.9% ROI and $29,841 median earnings don't always justify the premium over public universities. Students paying full price should compare whether the personalized experience warrants $17,514+ in additional annual costs over state flagships.
Competitive Standing: Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design ranks #905 of 1966 institutions, with 1687 schools achieving higher ROI. For students offered substantial merit aid or seeking specific programs unavailable at public universities, the value proposition strengthens significantly.
Key Takeaways
- 63.3% six-year graduation rate sits 0.8 points above the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 83.7% first-year retention is 6.9 points above the national norm of 76.8%.
- -72.9% return on investment is 158.2 points below the national 85.3% benchmark.
- Median earnings of $29,841 run about 32% lower than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
- Average net price of $27,514 is roughly $7,604 higher than the national median of $19,910.
Helpfulness for Students
- 11:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 83.7% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- 88.1% employment rate within three years sits 19.9 points above national outcomes.
- Average net price of $27,514 is about $7,604 higher than comparable schools, so scholarship planning is key.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design is a private nonprofit university based in Milwaukee, WI and earns a B overall grade. It stands at #905 among 1966 schools Completion earns B+, Support B+, Career Outcomes C+, and Affordability C+.
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
Student momentum is strong: 83.7% retention and 63.3% six-year graduation. The reported ROI is -72.9%, a figure families can weigh against cost and aid details above.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $27,514 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $52,646.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $25,132 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $15,750 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 36.4% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Graduates report median earnings of about $29,841 six years after entry. Compared with the national median, that's 32% lower.
Employment outcomes report about 88.1% of alumni working within three years.
Plan around an ROI of about -72.9% according to the Scorecard data.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
62.8% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
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Contact Information
- Address Milwaukee, WI 53202-6003
- Website www.miad.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationHigher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
- Endowment$3.7M