Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Graphic Designers
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Madison Media Institute and UW Parkside.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider Milwaukee Area Technical College, UW Parkside, Carroll University, and Mount Mary College.
- Female: For schools particularly welcoming to female students, consider Mount Mary College.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Concordia, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Carroll University, and Mount Mary College.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Concordia, Marian, Moraine Park Technical College, and Northcentral Technical College.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Carthage College, Saint Norbert College, Concordia, and Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Saint Norbert College, Carthage College, Carroll University, and Concordia.
Excellence
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at Mount Mary College and Milwaukee Area Technical College.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Nicolet Area Technical College, Madison Media Institute, Gateway Technical College, and Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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UW-Marinette • Marinette, WI
Studying Liberal Arts (completion in 1999)
• 7/25/2011
"It was affordable and local. I had a good time getting to know people from the area."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | This school has the arts department of a much bigger school. It is local to our area and the teachers are very good. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | I believe this school has a very good art department. The art department is well known in the community. |
| Program Quality | 9 | It was a good school to get my Associate's Degree. It was affordable and it was fairly close to me. |
| Instruction | 9 | I believe this school has some of the best teachers. They were able to teach a lot of material in a way that allows you to retain information. |
| How Difficult | 5 | I suppose some people would feel it was hard, but this is the kind of thing I enjoy so it seemed average to me. There was a lot of work at times, though. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The school was a good mix of the two. There were labs for hands on things, but there was book work also. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | The school was very flexible and had classes scheduled at all different times to accommodate many different schedules. It was easy to schedule classes when you needed them. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | There were 3 big computer labs for students. The library was always helpful with many resources on hand. |
| Social Life | 9 | This was a tight knit school and community so it was very natural to be involved here. The school was linked with a YMCA where many students went to to hang out, work out, and play. There were also many after school functions. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I would say this school has an average job placement record. It's a small area without a lot of jobs. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | I don't know anything about the alumni network. I believe it is lacking. |
Marquette • Milwaukee, WI
Studying Advertising (completion in 2010)
• 9/30/2011
"I love the education and all the extras that I took away after graduation. I appreciated all the opportunities I was given. The instructors really took the time to get to know me and lead me on a clear path to fulfill my dreams."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would absolutely recommend my school. My school has advantages and opportunities that few, if any, other schools have. Those choosing my school enter into a tightly knit community that will give you the opportunity to grow into whatever career you like and become as successful as you like, as long as you put in the time and work. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | My school is consistently ranked in the top tier for their communications program. Marquette wins awards on a regular basis. People from around the world attend the program. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I felt my education was excellent. I learned step by step how to become a graphic designer. I also obtained real world experience through several projects. |
| Instruction | 9 | The instructors were excellent. They took the time to take me almost literally by the hand. They showed me and gave constructive feedback on not only what I was doing right and wrong, but why it was that way and how I could make it better. |
| How Difficult | 6 | The difficulty was above average. I found it difficult at times because I was coming into the program with little experience. For those with more of a background I can see how it would be less difficult. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There is an excellent mix of the two. There are plenty of opportunities should a student feel that one of the two requires further development. This is a huge selling point and advantage over other schools. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 2 | Nearly all classes are held during the day. This makes it difficult for people like myself that have full time jobs. Few classes are held during the summer. Again, this is a negative for me as I would like to take a class or two during the summer months. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | There are several libraries on campus. Each library has a wide selection of computers for use. Likewise, many of the buildings themselves have computer labs. There are also many support groups in the Union. |
| Social Life | 10 | The school is a Division I team with a national following and a HUGE following on campus. It seems that all students follow the major sports on campus. I don't attend many parties myself, but I hear the party scene, especially in fraternities, is huge. |
| Placement Services | 5 | Again, I have not utilized these services to the extent that I should be using them. I know they have an excellent reputation and they have helped many students. They are known for working one on one with students. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I honestly have not utilized this to the extent that I should be. I know that there is support and I should be using it. Because of this I really can't say much more. |
Moraine Park Technical College • Fond Du Lac, WI
Studying Graphic Communications/Electronic Prepress (completion in 1998)
• 12/5/2011
"It helped me get a full-time job. I could not have gotten into this field without degree."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It's easier and cheaper than four-year college. There are people in the field and one can get a job when finished with school. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | I hear about it somewhat. Not sure why. Print is just not there anymore. |
| Program Quality | 6 | No help finding jobs. Not much help in funding. |
| Instruction | 6 | Teaching leaned more towards those already in the field. Not much available help. |
| How Difficult | 6 | It's hard when going to school in a very new field and keeping a job to pay the bills and living expenses. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I did a lot of tutorials. There was some book study and instructor lectures. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | I lived 1 hour away. I had to make time for schoolwork. It would have been perfect if I had my own equipment and necessary programs at home. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | There was not much there. I winged it on my own. Everyone was busy doing their own thing. |
| Placement Services | 1 | I did better on my own. The jobs they sent me were often old and filled. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | I hear more from my high school. |
UW-Whitewater • Whitewater, WI
Studying Bachelor Of Arts (completion in 2008)
• 12/30/2011
"Very satisfied."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend the graphics program at Whitewater. The teachers taught me a lot and I brought with me a lot of the techniques to the job I have today. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | Heard nothing but good things. Whitewater is a good school and a school people can afford to get a good education. |
| Program Quality | 7 | I wish there was more real-world experience, rather than just working in the labs. |
| Instruction | 8 | Had good professors and learned a lot about each program that is used in the graphics field. |
| How Difficult | 9 | It was really difficult, since the classes were long. Hours spent in the lab were a lot, but worth it in the end. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | This program was very hands on. I was always learning new computer techniques that helped me in the career I have now. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | It's hard to squeeze in other classes, since the graphics classes are so limited. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The facilities were supplied with new computers for us to learn on, and labs were open late. |
| Social Life | 9 | Whitewater is a good school to meet a lot of good people. |
| Placement Services | 5 | They have job fairs at school to help out in placement, but nothing more. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | They always call and check in to see where my career is at now and how it is going. |
MATC • Oak Creek, WI
Studying Logistics Material Management (completion in 2004)
• 3/20/2012
"The school offered everything I needed. It was hands on learning and easy class times."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Yes I would tell anyone about how good it was for me. Classes were easily available and hands-on classes were great. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | I never heard anything bad. In the area they are well known. |
| Program Quality | 10 | School was everything I thought it would be. The school really helped me with everything all the way through until graduation. |
| Instruction | 8 | Each teacher had outside experience in the real world. It helps in getting your lessons across. |
| How Difficult | 7 | I was working at the time. I had to do some online classes that really helped in my time. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Classes were more hands on. I am a hands on learner so that helped. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I easily was able to plan. Online courses were great. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | Teachers were very available but the library could have been bigger. |
| Social Life | I never went to anything and didn't see much in the way of events. | |
| Placement Services | Never used it. I found a job the month I graduated. | |
| Alumni Network | I really don't know. I haven't used it. |
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