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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Graphic Design Schools in the Southwest Region

19 Colleges in the United States
762 Graphic Design Degrees Awarded
$41,184 Avg Early-Career Salary

Graphic Design degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 64 schools to find the best for graphic design students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Graphic Design in the Southwest Region

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.

Top Schools in Graphic Design

1

Leading the list is Texas Christian University, our #1 school for graphic design. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fort Worth. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 graphic design degrees were awarded at Texas Christian University in the most recent year. Graphic Design graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $60,035 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,960. Get the full graphic design details for Texas Christian University

2

Students looking for a strong graphic design program will find one at Arizona State University, which ranked #2. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Arizona State University awarded about 55 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $41,589 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Get the full graphic design details for Arizona State University

3

Students looking for a strong graphic design program will find one at University Of Houston, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Houston awarded about 23 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $47,461 early in their careers. University Of Houston graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in graphic design from University Of Houston

4

University Of Central Oklahoma is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in graphic design, ranking #4. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Oklahoma in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $42,619. Typical student debt for the program is $15,875. More information about a degree in graphic design from University Of Central Oklahoma

5

Grand Canyon University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 124 graphic design degrees were awarded at Grand Canyon University in the most recent year. Graphic Design graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $38,976 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full graphic design program report for Grand Canyon University

6

Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #6 spot for graphic design this year. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. There were roughly 20 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Glendale Community College Glendale Az in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Glendale Community College Glendale Az graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. More information about a degree in graphic design from Glendale Community College Glendale Az

7
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University came in at #7 for graphic design this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Lamar University graduates 37% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Lamar University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Lamar University earn around $52,678 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,988. Read more about the graphic design program at Lamar University

8

Arizona State University Skysong came in at #8 for graphic design this year. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. There were roughly 15 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $41,589 in their early career. Arizona State University Skysong graduates carry a median of $23,742 in student loans. More information about a degree in graphic design from Arizona State University Skysong

9

Mesa Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best graphic design schools. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Mesa Community College awarded about 50 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete this degree. See the full graphic design program report for Mesa Community College

10

Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #10 for graphic design this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 graphic design degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Commerce in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete this degree. Read more about the graphic design program at Texas A And M University Commerce

11

The University Of Texas Pan American placed #11 among the best graphic design schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The University Of Texas Pan American graduates 51% of students within six years. The University Of Texas Pan American awarded about 23 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $46,404 in their early career. The University Of Texas Pan American graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Read more about the graphic design program at The University Of Texas Pan American

12

Sam Houston State University placed #12 among the best graphic design schools. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Sam Houston State University in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $39,959 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,000. Get the full graphic design details for Sam Houston State University

13

University Of The Incarnate Word came in at #13 for graphic design this year. University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. University Of The Incarnate Word awarded about 11 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $27,986 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full graphic design program report for University Of The Incarnate Word

14

Lamar Institute Of Technology landed the #14 spot for graphic design this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Lamar Institute Of Technology awarded about 28 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Lamar Institute Of Technology generally make around $50,068. Lamar Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $14,278 in student loans. Get the full graphic design details for Lamar Institute Of Technology

15

Saint Edwards University came in at #15 for graphic design this year. Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Saint Edwards University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Saint Edwards University earn around $30,589 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Edwards University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full graphic design program report for Saint Edwards University

16

Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee landed the #16 spot for graphic design this year. Located in the town of Okmulgee, Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a mid-sized public university. Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee awarded about 13 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee generally make around $28,438. Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee graduates carry a median of $13,356 in student loans. More information about a degree in graphic design from Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee

17

Tyler Junior College placed #17 among the best graphic design schools. This large public university is located in the city of Tyler. There were roughly 47 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Tyler Junior College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $43,348 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete this degree. See the full graphic design program report for Tyler Junior College

18

Texas A And M University Corpus Christi came in at #18 for graphic design this year. This large public university is located in the city of Corpus Christi. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi awarded about 11 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $47,130 in their early career. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi graduates carry a median of $25,508 in student loans. Get the full graphic design details for Texas A And M University Corpus Christi

19
Yavapai College crest
Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ

Yavapai College earned the #19 position for graphic design this year. Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Prescott. Yavapai College awarded about 20 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of Yavapai College earn a median of $52,087 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,087 to complete this degree. Get the full graphic design details for Yavapai College

20

South Texas College earned the #20 position for graphic design this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 20%. About 20 graphic design degrees were awarded at South Texas College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete this degree. Read more about the graphic design program at South Texas College

21

Central Arizona College came in at #21 for graphic design this year. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. About 13 graphic design degrees were awarded at Central Arizona College in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Central Arizona College earn around $48,826 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,635. Get the full graphic design details for Central Arizona College

22

Bryan University Los Angeles landed the #22 spot for graphic design this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Bryan University Los Angeles is a mid-sized private for-profit university. There were roughly 30 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Bryan University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $31,425 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,400 to complete this degree. See the full graphic design program report for Bryan University Los Angeles

23

Tulsa Technology Center landed the #23 spot for graphic design this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Tulsa. About 35 graphic design degrees were awarded at Tulsa Technology Center in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $32,406 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,384 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in graphic design from Tulsa Technology Center

24

Pontotoc Technology Center landed the #24 spot for graphic design this year. Located in the rural area of Ada, Pontotoc Technology Center is a small public university. There were roughly 17 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Pontotoc Technology Center in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $44,846 in their early career. Read more about the graphic design program at Pontotoc Technology Center

25

Mid America Technology Center ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best graphic design schools. This small public university is located in the rural area of Wayne. There were roughly 17 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Mid America Technology Center in the most recent data year. Read more about the graphic design program at Mid America Technology Center

Rest of the Top 31 Graphic Design Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong graphic design education:

26
27
28
29
30
31

Narrow Graphic Design Schools by State

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View All Graphic Design Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 64 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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