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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Industrial Design Associate’s Degree Schools

1 Colleges in the United States
345 Industrial Design Degrees Awarded
$30,551 Avg Early-Career Salary

Industrial 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.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 83 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for industrial design students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Industrial Design in the United States

See the highest-ranked industrial design schools offering a associate’s degree below.

Top Schools in Industrial Design

1
Pratt Institute Main crest
Pratt Institute Main
Brooklyn, NY

Pratt Institute Main tops our 2026 ranking of the best industrial design schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Pratt Institute Main graduates 74% of students within six years. About 98 industrial design degrees were awarded at Pratt Institute Main in the most recent year. Graduates of the industrial design program make about $40,880 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. More information about a degree in industrial design from Pratt Institute Main

2

Fashion Institute Of Technology is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in industrial design, ranking #2. Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New York. About 25 industrial design degrees were awarded at Fashion Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their industrial design degree from Fashion Institute Of Technology earn around $14,361 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000. More information about a degree in industrial design from Fashion Institute Of Technology

3
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

The New School is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in industrial design, landing the #3 spot 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. The New School awarded about 83 industrial design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the industrial design program make about $44,640 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,211 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in industrial design from The New School

4

Rochester Institute Of Technology is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in industrial design, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Rochester Institute Of Technology awarded about 64 industrial design degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $34,709. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in industrial design from Rochester Institute Of Technology

5
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best industrial design schools. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. There were roughly 15 industrial design students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Laguardia Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their industrial design degree from Cuny Laguardia Community College earn around $13,554 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete this degree. See the full industrial design program report for Cuny Laguardia Community College

6

Jackson Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best industrial design schools. Set in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Jackson Community College graduates 33% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 industrial design students who graduated with this degree at Jackson Community College in the most recent data year. Industrial Design graduates of Jackson Community College earn a median of $41,322 early in their careers. Jackson Community College graduates carry a median of $16,960 in student loans. Get the full industrial design details for Jackson Community College

7

Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles landed the #7 spot for industrial design this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles is a small private for-profit institution. About 41 industrial design degrees were awarded at Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the industrial design program make about $24,393 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,165 to complete this degree. Get the full industrial design details for Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles

Other Industrial Design Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Industrial Design rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Industrial Design
Bachelor's Degrees in Industrial Design
Master's Degrees in Industrial Design
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View All Industrial Design Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 83 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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