by our College Data Analytics TeamGraphic Design is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 107 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best graphic design schools.
What’s on this page:
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.
No school ranked higher than San Jose State University this year for graphic design. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 15 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. See the full graphic design program report for San Jose State University
A rank of #2 makes Chapman University one of the top schools for graphic design. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 35 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $46,519 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. Read more about the graphic design program at Chapman University
Point Loma Nazarene University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in graphic design, ranking #3. Set in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $54,116 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,542. See the full graphic design program report for Point Loma Nazarene University
Washington State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Washington State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Washington State University earn around $44,823 in the first couple years of their career. Washington State University graduates carry a median of $22,802 in student loans. Get the full graphic design details for Washington State University
California State University Sacramento is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in graphic design, ranking #5. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 37 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $32,240 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in graphic design from California State University Sacramento
Concordia University Irvine placed #6 among the best graphic design schools. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 graphic design degrees were awarded at Concordia University Irvine in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $58,590 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,085. More information about a degree in graphic design from Concordia University Irvine
Oregon State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best graphic design schools. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. Oregon State University graduates 70% of students within six years. About 36 graphic design degrees were awarded at Oregon State University in the most recent year. Graphic Design graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $35,614 early in their careers. Oregon State University graduates carry a median of $23,419 in student loans. Get the full graphic design details for Oregon State University
Portland State University came in at #8 for graphic design this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Portland State University graduates 53% of students within six years. Portland State University awarded about 68 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Portland State University earn around $35,304 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,995 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in graphic design from Portland State University
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #9 spot for graphic design this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. About 21 graphic design degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $80,047 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692. More information about a degree in graphic design from Santa Rosa Junior College
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best graphic design schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 121 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $30,065 early in their careers. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $21,160 in student loans. See the full graphic design program report for California State Polytechnic University Pomona
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #11 among the best graphic design schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Las Vegas. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 50 graphic design degrees were awarded at University Of Nevada Las Vegas in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn around $31,702 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,772. More information about a degree in graphic design from University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Diablo Valley College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best graphic design schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. There were roughly 28 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Diablo Valley College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $27,813 in their early career. Diablo Valley College graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Get the full graphic design details for Diablo Valley College
Art Center College Of Design placed #13 among the best graphic design schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Art Center College Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 84 graphic design degrees were awarded at Art Center College Of Design in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Art Center College Of Design generally make around $47,053. Art Center College Of Design graduates carry a median of $31,050 in student loans. Read more about the graphic design program at Art Center College Of Design
Foothill College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best graphic design schools. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. There were roughly 23 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Foothill College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Foothill College earn around $94,152 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in graphic design from Foothill College
De Anza College came in at #15 for graphic design this year. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. About 26 graphic design degrees were awarded at De Anza College in the most recent year. De Anza College graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. More information about a degree in graphic design from De Anza College
California State University Fresno ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best graphic design schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 44 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fresno in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $23,160. Typical student debt for the program is $24,410. Get the full graphic design details for California State University Fresno
California Baptist University earned the #17 position for graphic design this year. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Baptist University awarded about 33 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $28,669 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,487 to complete this degree. Get the full graphic design details for California Baptist University
Saddleback College landed the #18 spot for graphic design this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. About 11 graphic design degrees were awarded at Saddleback College in the most recent year. Graphic Design graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in graphic design from Saddleback College
Mt San Antonio College placed #19 among the best graphic design schools. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. About 17 graphic design degrees were awarded at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Mt San Antonio College graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Read more about the graphic design program at Mt San Antonio College
Santa Monica College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best graphic design schools. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 106 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Santa Monica College in the most recent data year. Read more about the graphic design program at Santa Monica College
Santa Barbara City College landed the #21 spot for graphic design this year. This large public university is located in the city of Santa Barbara. About 20 graphic design degrees were awarded at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College generally make around $68,184. Santa Barbara City College graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. More information about a degree in graphic design from Santa Barbara City College
Chemeketa Community College earned the #22 position for graphic design this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Chemeketa Community College is a large public institution. Chemeketa Community College awarded about 14 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $45,440 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,755 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in graphic design from Chemeketa Community College
College Of The Canyons ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best graphic design schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. College Of The Canyons awarded about 38 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from College Of The Canyons earn around $51,913 in the first couple years of their career. College Of The Canyons graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. More information about a degree in graphic design from College Of The Canyons
Irvine Valley College landed the #24 spot for graphic design this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. About 27 graphic design degrees were awarded at Irvine Valley College in the most recent year. Typical student debt for the program is $6,672. Read more about the graphic design program at Irvine Valley College
Santiago Canyon College placed #25 among the best graphic design schools. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. There were roughly 17 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Santiago Canyon College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Santiago Canyon College earn around $34,100 in the first couple years of their career. Santiago Canyon College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. See the full graphic design program report for Santiago Canyon College
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong graphic design education:
The following schools placed in the top tier for graphic design:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| #57 | Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA |
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 · 107 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
