by our College Data Analytics TeamGraphic Design programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 657 schools to find the best for graphic design students.
What’s on this page:
Where you study graphic design matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Graphic Design Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Graphic Design Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
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 graphic design degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is San Jose State University, our #1 school for graphic design. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 15 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full graphic design details for San Jose State University
University Of Wisconsin Madison is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in graphic design, ranking #2. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 48 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $49,780 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $20,875 in student loans. Get the full graphic design details for University Of Wisconsin Madison
Students looking for a strong graphic design program will find one at Chapman University, which ranked #3. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. About 35 graphic design degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Chapman University earn around $46,519 in the first couple years of their career. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in graphic design from Chapman University
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in graphic design, ranking #4. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. About 14 graphic design degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Read more about the graphic design program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Of Florida is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Florida awarded about 46 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from University Of Florida earn around $43,144 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,839 to complete this degree. See the full graphic design program report for University Of Florida
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best graphic design schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. About 19 graphic design degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn around $48,940 in the first couple years of their career. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Get the full graphic design details for North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best graphic design schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. About 78 graphic design degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $42,462 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree. See the full graphic design program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Boston University placed #8 among the best graphic design schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 49 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $49,254 in their early career. Boston University graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in graphic design from Boston University
Texas Christian University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best graphic design schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Texas Christian University earn around $60,035 in the first couple years of their career. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. Read more about the graphic design program at Texas Christian University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best graphic design schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. About 62 graphic design degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Graphic Design graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $34,670 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $18,839 in student loans. Read more about the graphic design program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Arizona State University came in at #11 for graphic design this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 55 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Arizona State University earn around $41,589 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. More information about a degree in graphic design from Arizona State University
County College Of Morris landed the #12 spot for graphic design this year. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 18 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at County College Of Morris in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $30,966 in their early career. County College Of Morris graduates carry a median of $9,420 in student loans. Get the full graphic design details for County College Of Morris
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #13 among the best graphic design schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 54 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $38,585 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the graphic design program at University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Point Loma Nazarene University placed #14 among the best graphic design schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. About 77% of students finish within six years. Point Loma Nazarene University awarded about 22 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Point Loma Nazarene University earn around $54,116 in the first couple years of their career. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $22,542 in student loans. More information about a degree in graphic design from Point Loma Nazarene University
Washington State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best graphic design schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Pullman. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington State University awarded about 22 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $44,823. Students borrow a median of $22,802 to complete this degree. Read more about the graphic design program at Washington State University
Northeastern University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best graphic design schools. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. Northeastern University awarded about 42 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $49,727 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,250. Get the full graphic design details for Northeastern University
High Point University placed #17 among the best graphic design schools. High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of High Point. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 graphic design degrees were awarded at High Point University in the most recent year. Graphic Design graduates of High Point University earn a median of $113,352 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,785. Get the full graphic design details for High Point University
Drexel University earned the #18 position for graphic design this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. About 78% of students finish within six years. Drexel University awarded about 36 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $38,154 in their early career. Drexel University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full graphic design program report for Drexel University
American University placed #19 among the best graphic design schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 graphic design degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. Graphic Design graduates of American University earn a median of $54,585 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,139 to complete this degree. Get the full graphic design details for American University
Miami University Oxford placed #20 among the best graphic design schools. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 24 graphic design degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Miami University Oxford earn around $47,295 in the first couple years of their career. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full graphic design details for Miami University Oxford
California State University Sacramento landed the #21 spot for graphic design this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 37 graphic design degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $32,240 in their early career. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Read more about the graphic design program at California State University Sacramento
Concordia University Irvine ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best graphic design schools. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Concordia University Irvine awarded about 10 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $58,590 in their early career. Concordia University Irvine graduates carry a median of $26,085 in student loans. Read more about the graphic design program at Concordia University Irvine
Quinnipiac University landed the #23 spot for graphic design this year. Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hamden. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 23 graphic design degrees were awarded at Quinnipiac University in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Quinnipiac University earn around $35,884 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,976 to complete this degree. Read more about the graphic design program at Quinnipiac University
Samford University placed #24 among the best graphic design schools. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 77% of students finish within six years. About 13 graphic design degrees were awarded at Samford University in the most recent year. Graphic Design graduates of Samford University earn a median of $41,323 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full graphic design details for Samford University
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best graphic design schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 graphic design degrees were awarded at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $38,938. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in graphic design from University Of South Florida Main Campus
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong graphic design education:
These schools also stood out for graphic design:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| #54 | The New School | New York, NY |
| #62 | University Of Wisconsin Stout | Menomonie, WI |
| #77 | Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond, VA |
| #88 | Art Center College Of Design | Pasadena, CA |
| #119 | Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design | Milwaukee, WI |
| #145 | Ferris State University | Big Rapids, MI |
| #156 | Columbia College Chicago | Chicago, IL |
| #169 | Ringling College Of Art And Design | Sarasota, FL |
| #176 | California Institute Of The Arts | Valencia, CA |
| #276 | Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA |
These schools earned honorable mentions for graphic design:
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View the Best Graphic Design Schools for a specific region near you.
Graphic Design is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 657 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
