Compare 5 Illustration. programs in Iowa. Average earnings: $45,539.
With top graduates earning $51,741, Illustration stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $6K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige across Iowa's 5 ranked programs.
Grand View University's Illustration program leads with graduates earning $51,741, followed closely by Drake University at $49,664 and Iowa State University at $49,449. The $20K earnings spread demonstrates that program-specific factors drive outcomes more than overall institutional reputation in this specialized field.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Grand View University graduates borrow $22,500 and face just a 10.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. That means loan payments take a manageable bite out of their post-grad income, making it the clear best value choice.
Highest program earnings: $51,741
Strong outcomes with 98% acceptance
10.6% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
21.6% family burden | Challenging - payment 18-25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Grand View UniversityPrivate | $51,741 | 12 | $22,500 | Good | $20,398 | Challenging |
| #2 | Drake UniversityPrivate | $49,664 | 7 | $23,000 | Good | $26,000 | High |
| #3 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | $49,449 | 227 | $22,869 | Good | $25,950 | High |
| #4 | $45,719 | 36 | $19,691 | Good | $17,670 | Challenging | |
| #5 | Upper Iowa UniversityPrivate | $31,122 | 11 | $25,000 | High | $14,000 | 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 →
