by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2025, College Factual analyzed 300 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 19,777 bachelor's degrees in design & applied arts to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts
Translate your creative ideas through concept, design and digital media with a bachelor's in graphic design online from Southern New Hampshire University.
Take the first step toward a career of visual expression and doing what you love with this online associate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn to create a striking portfolio and hone the skills you need to succeed in the world of professional photography with this online digital photography degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
The design bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their bachelor's degree from the school. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their bachelor's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for design & applied arts students working on their bachelor's degree.
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts
Translate your creative ideas through concept, design and digital media with a bachelor's in graphic design online from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn to create a striking portfolio and hone the skills you need to succeed in the world of professional photography with this online digital photography degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Get on the right path to the fast-paced, exciting world of video game art and design with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in design & applied arts. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
It is difficult to beat Fashion Institute of Technology if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in design & applied arts. Located in the large city of New York, FIT SUNY is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the design program make an average of $27,023 in their early career salary.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from Fashion Institute of Technology
Carnegie Mellon University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in design & applied arts. Located in the large city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.
Design & Applied Arts bachelor's degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University receive an earnings boost of approximately $32,839 over the typical income of design & applied arts graduates.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from Carnegie Mellon University
Syracuse University is a wonderful option for individuals pursuing a bachelor's degree in design & applied arts. Syracuse is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Syracuse.
Those design & applied arts students who get their bachelor's degree from Syracuse University receive $12,746 more than the average design student.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from Syracuse University
Iowa State University is a great choice for students interested in a bachelor's degree in design & applied arts. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State is a public university with a very large student population.
Those design & applied arts students who get their bachelor's degree from Iowa State University make $4,130 more than the standard design grad.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from Iowa State University
Located in the large city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.
Those design & applied arts students who get their bachelor's degree from Pratt Institute - Main earn $2,605 more than the typical design grad.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from Pratt Institute - Main
UC is a fairly large public university located in the city of Cincinnati.
Design & Applied Arts bachelor's degree recipients from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus earn a boost of about $19,091 over the average income of design & applied arts majors.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.
Those design & applied arts students who get their bachelor's degree from Drexel University earn $4,719 more than the average design student.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from Drexel University
Located in the large city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a very large student population.
Bachelor's recipients from the design & applied arts major at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities make $9,027 above the standard graduate in this field shortly after graduation.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
USC is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Los Angeles.
Design & Applied Arts bachelor's degree recipients from University of Southern California get an earnings boost of around $31,411 over the average income of design & applied arts majors.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from University of Southern California
ASU - Tempe is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Tempe.
Those design & applied arts students who get their bachelor's degree from Arizona State University - Tempe earn $2,525 more than the standard design grad.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from Arizona State University - Tempe
Located in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College of Art and Design is a public college with a small student population.
After graduating, design bachelor's recipients typically earn around $24,706 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from Massachusetts College of Art and Design
New School University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New York.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the design program state that they receive average early career wages of $24,804.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from The New School
FIDM Los Angeles is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Los Angeles.
Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the design program make about $26,479 in their early career salary.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles
Located in the city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a fairly large student population.
Design & Applied Arts bachelor's degree recipients from University of Washington - Seattle Campus earn a boost of about $30,014 above the typical income of design & applied arts graduates.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from University of Washington - Seattle Campus
Northeastern is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Boston.
Those design & applied arts students who get their bachelor's degree from Northeastern University make $16,292 more than the average design grad.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from Northeastern University
RIT is a large private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Rochester.
Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the design program earn an average of $34,709 in the first couple years of working.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from Rochester Institute of Technology
Located in the medium-sized city of Pasadena, Art Center College of Design is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Bachelor's recipients from the design & applied arts degree program at Art Center College of Design earn $13,618 more than the average graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from Art Center College of Design
Located in the city of Austin, UT Austin is a public university with a very large student population.
Those design & applied arts students who get their bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin make $11,071 more than the average design grad.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from The University of Texas at Austin
Located in the large suburb of Notre Dame, Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.
Design & Applied Arts bachelor's degree recipients from University of Notre Dame earn a boost of approximately $13,390 above the typical income of design & applied arts majors.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from University of Notre Dame
SCAD is a fairly large private not-for-profit college located in the city of Savannah.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the design program report average early career earnings of $23,400.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from Savannah College of Art and Design
Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, WUSTL is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.
After graduating, design bachelor's recipients usually make about $33,615 in their early careers.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from Washington University in St Louis
Kent State is a very large public university located in the large suburb of Kent.
Those design & applied arts students who get their bachelor's degree from Kent State University at Kent earn $2,916 more than the standard design student.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from Kent State University at Kent
WWU is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Bellingham.
Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the design program state that they receive average early career income of $31,078.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from Western Washington University
Located in the small city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public university with a very large student population.
Design & Applied Arts bachelor's degree recipients from Michigan State University get an earnings boost of approximately $3,349 above the average income of design & applied arts majors.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from Michigan State University
Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.
Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the design program make an average of $29,630 in their early career salary.
More information about a bachelor’s in design & applied arts from Columbia College Chicago
Learn about other programs related to Design & Applied Arts that might interest you.
BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts - Web Design
Gain a solid grounding in your online web design classes and exercise your creative muscle with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
BS in Game Programming & Development
Go beyond traditional software development to gain the technical expertise required to succeed in an exciting and competitive field with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
This list represents the remainder of the colleges awarded a Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 20% of the 300 different United States design & applied arts schools we analyzed.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | University of Wisconsin - Madison | Madison, WI |
| 52 | Wentworth Institute of Technology | Boston, MA |
| 53 | School of Visual Arts | New York, NY |
| 54 | University of Wisconsin - Stout | Menomonie, WI |
| 55 | Clemson University | Clemson, SC |
| 56 | North Carolina State University | Raleigh, NC |
| 57 | Texas State University | San Marcos, TX |
| 58 | University of Utah | Salt Lake City, UT |
| 59 | Columbus College of Art and Design | Columbus, OH |
| 60 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus | Atlanta, GA |
Here are some additional great schools for Design & Applied Arts students that almost earned our Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools award.
View the Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.
Design & Applied Arts is one of 10 different types of Visual & Performing Arts programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Graphic Design | 5,545 |
| Visual Communications | 2,827 |
| Interior Design | 2,824 |
| Illustration | 2,524 |
| Fashion Design | 1,754 |
| Other Design & Applied Arts | 1,208 |
| Industrial Design | 1,178 |
| Game & Interactive Media Design | 1,110 |
| Commercial & Advertising Art | 715 |
| Commercial Photography | 92 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Fine & Studio Arts | 23,952 |
| Music | 15,299 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | 12,664 |
| Drama & Theater Arts | 12,468 |
| General Visual & Performing Arts | 4,199 |
| Arts & Media Management | 2,899 |
| Dance | 2,650 |
| Other Visual Art | 483 |
| Crafts, Folk Art & Artisanry | 61 |
| Community/Environmental/Socially-Engaged Art | 6 |
