Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design

What are the graduation rates for students at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design?

IPEDS reporting for 2024-25 puts MIAD's six-year graduation rate at 67% for the measured first-time, full-time student cohort. Its four-year rate was 58%. These figures describe different completion windows for a defined group, not the likelihood that every newly admitted student will graduate.

The reported first-year retention rate was 80%, meaning roughly four in five students in the applicable cohort returned the following fall. Transfer students and students who attend part time may have different paths that are not captured by the standard first-time, full-time graduation measure. For planning purposes, the gap between four- and six-year completion also matters: an additional semester or year can change a student's total cost.

What is the earning potential for graduates at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design?

College Scorecard figures reported as of October 2026 show median earnings one year after completion of $29,216 for design and applied arts and $19,444 for fine and studio arts. These are field-level outcomes for the graduates included in the federal measure, not starting-salary offers or predicted earnings for every MIAD student.

The Scorecard's earnings measures cover eligible federally aided graduates whose earnings can be observed and who meet the measure's other criteria. They can exclude people for several reasons and do not account for differences in occupation, hours worked, location, or later career growth. Art and design graduates may also combine salaried work with freelance practice. Students comparing programs should use these figures alongside likely borrowing, portfolio development, and the kinds of work alumni pursue.