Compare 166 Art Teacher Education. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $42,817.
With top graduates earning $60,744, Art Teacher Education stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $18K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale's Art Teacher Education program leads with graduates earning $60,744, well above the $42,745 average across all programs. University of Illinois Chicago follows at $56,110, while St Olaf College reaches $53,320. Regional publics dominate the top ranks, challenging assumptions about program quality.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Illinois Chicago graduates borrow $16,704 and face just a 6.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, Northeastern Illinois University leads with a 15% family burden—manageable for most graduates.
Highest program earnings: $60,744
Strong outcomes ($60,744) with 90% acceptance
6.8% payment burden | Excellent
15.0% family burden | Manageable
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $60,744 | 173 | $21,543 | Excellent | $19,500 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $56,110 | 59 | $16,704 | Excellent | $24,323 | Challenging | |
| #3 | St Olaf CollegePrivate | $53,320 | 23 | $26,000 | Good | $40,568 | High |
| #4 | Depaul UniversityPrivate | $51,978 | 28 | $23,168 | Good | $41,563 | High |
| #5 | Elmhurst UniversityPrivate | $51,697 | 26 | $20,489 | Good | $27,470 | Challenging |
| #6 | North Park UniversityPrivate | $51,181 | 7 | $25,500 | Manageable | $24,179 | High |
| #7 | $50,470 | 24 | $21,500 | Good | $17,781 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $50,105 | 16 | $14,600 | Excellent | $13,578 | Manageable | |
| #9 | Franklin CollegePrivate | $49,725 | 7 | $27,000 | Manageable | $40,380 | High |
| #10 | Gustavus Adolphus CollegePrivate | $49,123 | 12 | $26,774 | Manageable | $34,265 | High |
| #11 | Saint Xavier UniversityPrivate | $49,108 | 20 | $22,223 | Good | $20,742 | Challenging |
| #12 | $48,533 | 9 | $18,585 | Good | $9,812 | Manageable | |
| #13 | $48,309 | 12 | $18,442 | Good | $10,030 | Manageable | |
| #14 | $48,240 | 84 | $23,199 | Manageable | $14,621 | Challenging | |
| #15 | $48,151 | 14 | $17,832 | Good | $15,277 | Challenging | |
| #16 | Wartburg CollegePrivate | $48,082 | 28 | $27,000 | Manageable | $27,152 | High |
| #17 | North Central CollegePrivate | $48,074 | 31 | $24,500 | Manageable | $30,000 | High |
| #18 | $47,981 | 151 | $20,482 | Good | $28,767 | High | |
| #19 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | $47,774 | 69 | $22,869 | Manageable | $25,950 | High |
| #20 | Buena Vista UniversityPrivate | $47,754 | 18 | $25,000 | Manageable | $12,074 | Challenging |
| #21 | Upper Iowa UniversityPrivate | $47,685 | 54 | $25,000 | Manageable | $14,000 | Challenging |
| #22 | $47,585 | 59 | $20,369 | Good | $7,744 | Manageable | |
| #23 | $47,576 | 21 | $22,057 | Manageable | $14,269 | Challenging | |
| #24 | Minot State UniversityPublic | $47,512 | 32 | $19,609 | Good | $14,550 | Challenging |
| #25 | University Of KansasPublic | $47,299 | 28 | $21,000 | Good | $32,347 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
