2026 Best Graphic Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

Our analysis ranked University Of Wisconsin Madison the best school in the country for a degree in graphic design. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. About 48 graphic design degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent 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

2

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the top schools for graphic design. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. 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. Students who receive their graphic design degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $34,670 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,839. More information about a degree in graphic design from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

3

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best graphic design schools. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Miami University Oxford awarded about 24 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $47,295 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full graphic design details for Miami University Oxford

4

Madison Area Technical College
Madison, WI

Madison Area Technical College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in graphic design, ranking #4. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. About 50 graphic design degrees were awarded at Madison Area Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $30,710 in their early career. Madison Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in graphic design from Madison Area Technical College

5

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Western Michigan University awarded about 18 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $39,077 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the graphic design program at Western Michigan University

6

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University came in at #6 for graphic design this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 44 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $30,536 early in their careers. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full graphic design details for Depaul University

7

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best graphic design schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Stevens Point. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $41,243. Typical student debt for the program is $23,684. Read more about the graphic design program at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point

8

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #8 among the best graphic design schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 38 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $36,784 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,175. Get the full graphic design details for Michigan State University

9

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best graphic design schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $34,377. Typical student debt for the program is $25,750. See the full graphic design program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

10

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University earned the #10 position for graphic design this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Aurora. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 12 graphic design degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $51,483 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,507. More information about a degree in graphic design from Aurora University

11

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #11 spot for graphic design this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. About 22% of students finish within six years. About 18 graphic design degrees were awarded at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Northeastern Illinois University earn around $49,254 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,600. See the full graphic design program report for Northeastern Illinois University

12

University Of Wisconsin Stout
Menomonie, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stout landed the #12 spot for graphic design this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Menomonie. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 45 graphic design degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Stout in the most recent year. Graphic Design graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $40,615 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full graphic design details for University Of Wisconsin Stout

13

Chippewa Valley Technical College
Eau Claire, WI

Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #13 spot for graphic design this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. There were roughly 26 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Chippewa Valley Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Chippewa Valley Technical College generally make around $45,531. Chippewa Valley Technical College graduates carry a median of $14,234 in student loans. Read more about the graphic design program at Chippewa Valley Technical College

14

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College landed the #14 spot for graphic design this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Palatine. There were roughly 18 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Harper College in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Harper College graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. See the full graphic design program report for Harper College

15

Taylor University
Upland, IN

Taylor University came in at #15 for graphic design this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Upland. Taylor University graduates 74% of students within six years. Taylor University awarded about 10 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of Taylor University earn a median of $31,921 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000. Read more about the graphic design program at Taylor University

16

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #16 for graphic design this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 graphic design degrees were awarded at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $35,645 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in graphic design from Bowling Green State University Main Campus

17

Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University placed #17 among the best graphic design schools. Set in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Cedarville University graduates 72% of students within six years. About 18 graphic design degrees were awarded at Cedarville University in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $35,768 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full graphic design program report for Cedarville University

18

Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL

Elgin Community College placed #18 among the best graphic design schools. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. There were roughly 24 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Elgin Community College in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Elgin Community College graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Get the full graphic design details for Elgin Community College

19

Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Mount Vernon, OH

Mount Vernon Nazarene University landed the #19 spot for graphic design this year. Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Mount Vernon. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 graphic design degrees were awarded at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Mount Vernon Nazarene University earn around $53,377 in the first couple years of their career. Mount Vernon Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $26,602 in student loans. More information about a degree in graphic design from Mount Vernon Nazarene University

20

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus placed #20 among the best graphic design schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 20 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $24,716 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,791. Get the full graphic design details for Ohio University Main Campus

21

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University placed #21 among the best graphic design schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. Central Michigan University awarded about 18 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $36,917 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,500. Read more about the graphic design program at Central Michigan University

22

Western Technical College La Cross
La Crosse, WI

Western Technical College La Cross placed #22 among the best graphic design schools. Set in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public institution. Western Technical College La Cross awarded about 21 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of Western Technical College La Cross earn a median of $23,032 early in their careers. Western Technical College La Cross graduates carry a median of $12,057 in student loans. More information about a degree in graphic design from Western Technical College La Cross

23

Gateway Technical College
Kenosha, WI

Gateway Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best graphic design schools. Gateway Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Kenosha. Gateway Technical College awarded about 21 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Gateway Technical College earn around $29,734 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete this degree. Get the full graphic design details for Gateway Technical College

24

Waukesha County Technical College
Pewaukee, WI

Waukesha County Technical College came in at #24 for graphic design this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Pewaukee. Waukesha County Technical College awarded about 21 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $39,095 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,554 to complete this degree. Get the full graphic design details for Waukesha County Technical College

25

Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design
Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best graphic design schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design graduates 67% of students within six years. About 44 graphic design degrees were awarded at Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $28,801 in their early career. Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full graphic design program report for Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design