2027 Best Illustration Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Illustration degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their illustration programs.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools to find the best for illustration students.
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Best Schools for Illustration in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall illustration education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Illustration
College For Creative Studies tops our 2027 ranking of the best illustration schools. Located in the city of Detroit, College For Creative Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. College For Creative Studies awarded about 42 illustration degrees in the most recent data year. Illustration graduates of College For Creative Studies earn a median of $32,665 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the illustration program at College For Creative Studies
Ferris State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in illustration, ranking #2. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Ferris State University graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 illustration students who graduated with this degree at Ferris State University in the most recent data year. Illustration graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $34,045 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in illustration from Ferris State University
Columbia College Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in illustration, ranking #3. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Columbia College Chicago graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 57 illustration students who graduated with this degree at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent data year. Illustration graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $29,630 early in their careers. Columbia College Chicago graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full illustration program report for Columbia College Chicago
Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best illustration schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 94 illustration students who graduated with this degree at Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design generally make around $28,801. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the illustration program at Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design
A rank of #5 makes Cleveland Institute Of Art one of the top schools for illustration. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland Institute Of Art is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Cleveland Institute Of Art awarded about 33 illustration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Cleveland Institute Of Art generally make around $23,358. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full illustration program report for Cleveland Institute Of Art
Columbus College Of Art And Design placed #6 among the best illustration schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 64 illustration degrees were awarded at Columbus College Of Art And Design in the most recent year. Graduates of the illustration program make about $27,970 in their early career. Columbus College Of Art And Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full illustration program report for Columbus College Of Art And Design
Art Academy Of Cincinnati came in at #7 for illustration this year. Art Academy Of Cincinnati is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. Art Academy Of Cincinnati graduates 41% of students within six years. About 21 illustration degrees were awarded at Art Academy Of Cincinnati in the most recent year. Graduates of the illustration program make about $20,921 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full illustration program report for Art Academy Of Cincinnati
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 7 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
