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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Other Design & Applied Arts Schools

34 Colleges in the United States
1,449 Other Design & Applied Arts Degrees Awarded
$38,396 Avg Early-Career Salary

Other Design & Applied Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 102 schools to find the best for other design & applied arts students.

What’s on this page:

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Choosing a Great Other Design & Applied Arts School

Best Other Design & Applied Arts Schools

The school you choose for other design & applied arts can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Other Design & Applied Arts Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Other Design & Applied Arts Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in Other Design & Applied Arts
Bachelor's Degrees in Other Design & Applied Arts
Master's Degrees in Other Design & Applied Arts
Doctoral Degrees in Other Design & Applied Arts

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Other Design & Applied Arts Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

Read more about College Factual’s methodology

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Best Schools for Other Design & Applied Arts in the United States

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the other design & applied arts degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Other Design & Applied Arts

1

No school ranked higher than San Jose State University this year for other design & applied arts. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 161 other design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. See the full other design & applied arts program report for San Jose State University

2

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in other design & applied arts, ranking #2. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 12 other design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. See the full other design & applied arts program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

3

The University Of Texas At Austin is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in other design & applied arts, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 other design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $44,506 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in other design & applied arts from The University Of Texas At Austin

4

Students looking for a strong other design & applied arts program will find one at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 58 other design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Students who receive their other design & applied arts degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $57,615 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. Get the full other design & applied arts details for University Of California Los Angeles

5

Southern Methodist University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in other design & applied arts, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Southern Methodist University awarded about 11 other design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $70,632 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in other design & applied arts from Southern Methodist University

6

California State University Long Beach ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best other design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 39 other design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Students who receive their other design & applied arts degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $37,395 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,215. See the full other design & applied arts program report for California State University Long Beach

7

Washington University In St Louis ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best other design & applied arts schools. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 other design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $33,615. Students borrow a median of $19,089 to complete this degree. Read more about the other design & applied arts program at Washington University In St Louis

8

University Of Central Florida ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best other design & applied arts schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Orlando. About 78% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 other design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Read more about the other design & applied arts program at University Of Central Florida

9

Northeastern University landed the #9 spot for other design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northeastern University graduates 90% of students within six years. Northeastern University awarded about 31 other design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $49,727. Typical student debt for the program is $28,250. Read more about the other design & applied arts program at Northeastern University

10
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University placed #10 among the best other design & applied arts schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Syracuse. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 21 other design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their other design & applied arts degree from Syracuse University earn around $46,181 in the first couple years of their career. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full other design & applied arts details for Syracuse University

11
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University landed the #11 spot for other design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 78% of students finish within six years. Drexel University awarded about 29 other design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $38,154 early in their careers. Drexel University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full other design & applied arts program report for Drexel University

12

California State University Sacramento came in at #12 for other design & applied arts this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 42 other design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $32,240 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,750. Get the full other design & applied arts details for California State University Sacramento

13

Fashion Institute Of Technology ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best other design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. About 29 other design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Fashion Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the other design & applied arts program make about $20,692 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. See the full other design & applied arts program report for Fashion Institute Of Technology

14

Oregon State University landed the #14 spot for other design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 other design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Oregon State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their other design & applied arts degree from Oregon State University earn around $35,614 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,419 to complete this degree. See the full other design & applied arts program report for Oregon State University

15

Maryland Institute College Of Art landed the #15 spot for other design & applied arts this year. Maryland Institute College Of Art is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 132 other design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Maryland Institute College Of Art in the most recent data year. Students who receive their other design & applied arts degree from Maryland Institute College Of Art earn around $48,637 in the first couple years of their career. Maryland Institute College Of Art graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in other design & applied arts from Maryland Institute College Of Art

16
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

The New School earned the #16 position for other design & applied arts this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 64 other design & applied arts degrees were awarded at The New School in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from The New School generally make around $36,279. Typical student debt for the program is $23,606. See the full other design & applied arts program report for The New School

17

Tennessee Technological University came in at #17 for other design & applied arts this year. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 13 other design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent year. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $46,981 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,580 to complete this degree. Get the full other design & applied arts details for Tennessee Technological University

18

Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #18 position for other design & applied arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Richmond. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 43 other design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $36,156. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $25,937 in student loans. Read more about the other design & applied arts program at Virginia Commonwealth University

19

Arizona State University Skysong ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best other design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. About 34 other design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent year. Graduates of the other design & applied arts program make about $41,589 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,742 to complete this degree. See the full other design & applied arts program report for Arizona State University Skysong

20
Lesley University crest
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA

Lesley University placed #20 among the best other design & applied arts schools. Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Lesley University graduates 58% of students within six years. Lesley University awarded about 13 other design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Lesley University generally make around $25,227. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree. Get the full other design & applied arts details for Lesley University

21

College For Creative Studies earned the #21 position for other design & applied arts this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Detroit. College For Creative Studies graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 other design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at College For Creative Studies in the most recent data year. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of College For Creative Studies earn a median of $32,665 early in their careers. College For Creative Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in other design & applied arts from College For Creative Studies

22

Otis College Of Art And Design landed the #22 spot for other design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Otis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. About 24 other design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Otis College Of Art And Design in the most recent year. Students who receive their other design & applied arts degree from Otis College Of Art And Design earn around $31,172 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full other design & applied arts details for Otis College Of Art And Design

23

California State University San Bernardino earned the #23 position for other design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. California State University San Bernardino graduates 55% of students within six years. California State University San Bernardino awarded about 51 other design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their other design & applied arts degree from California State University San Bernardino earn around $24,604 in the first couple years of their career. California State University San Bernardino graduates carry a median of $16,139 in student loans. More information about a degree in other design & applied arts from California State University San Bernardino

24

University Of Oregon landed the #24 spot for other design & applied arts this year. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 45 other design & applied arts degrees were awarded at University Of Oregon in the most recent year. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $28,844 early in their careers. University Of Oregon graduates carry a median of $29,050 in student loans. Get the full other design & applied arts details for University Of Oregon

25

California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #25 spot for other design & applied arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Carson. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. California State University Dominguez Hills awarded about 24 other design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. California State University Dominguez Hills graduates carry a median of $12,688 in student loans. Get the full other design & applied arts details for California State University Dominguez Hills

Rest of the Top 28 Other Design & Applied Arts Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s other design & applied arts ranking:

26
27
Full Sail University crest
Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL
28

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Other Design & Applied Arts by Region

Explore the best other design & applied arts schools by region.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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View All Rankings >

Other Design & Applied Arts is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 102 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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