Compare 9 Illustration. programs in Missouri. Average earnings: $35,152.
The highest-earning Illustration program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $25K earnings gap across 9 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis's Illustration program leads with graduates earning $44,867. The story isn't about name recognition—it's about program quality. While the state average sits at $35,152, Washington University In St Louis ($41,205) and University Of Central Missouri ($40,901) prove that strong outcomes come from diverse institutional types.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Washington University In St Louis graduates borrow $17,500 and face just a 12.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Manageable' category. At Maryville, students borrow $22,000 with a 13.5% burden—still manageable, proving that top programs can balance outcomes with affordability.
Highest program earnings: $44,867
Strong outcomes with 93.7% acceptance
12.9% payment burden | Manageable
26.8% family burden | High burden
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $44,867 | 47 | $22,000 | Manageable | $18,781 | High | |
| #2 | $41,205 | 53 | $17,500 | Manageable | $24,585 | High | |
| #3 | $40,901 | 39 | $21,000 | Manageable | $14,000 | High | |
| #4 | Kansas City Art InstitutePrivate | $37,720 | 36 | $27,000 | Challenging | $33,642 | High |
| #5 | $36,414 | 34 | $21,992 | Challenging | $15,092 | High | |
| #6 | Stephens CollegePrivate | $35,273 | 9 | $27,000 | High | $27,900 | High |
| #7 | Drury UniversityPrivate | $31,133 | 12 | $20,979 | High | $26,668 | High |
| #8 | $28,598 | 7 | $19,968 | High | $11,334 | High | |
| #9 | Webster UniversityPrivate | $20,257 | 30 | $23,000 | High | $13,587 | 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 →
