2026 Best Industrial Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in industrial design. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 15 industrial design degrees in the most recent data year. Industrial Design graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $44,602 early in their careers. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Get the full industrial design details for Purdue University Main Campus

2

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in industrial design, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 19 industrial design degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their industrial design degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $45,176 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,100. Get the full industrial design details for Ohio State University Main Campus

3

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best industrial design schools. This large public university is located in the city of Kalamazoo. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Western Michigan University awarded about 22 industrial design degrees in the most recent data year. Industrial Design graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $39,077 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full industrial design details for Western Michigan University

4

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in industrial design, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 32 industrial design degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the industrial design program make about $34,377 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,750. Get the full industrial design details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

5

University Of Wisconsin Stout
Menomonie, WI

Students looking for a strong industrial design program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Stout, which ranked #5. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Stout awarded about 24 industrial design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the industrial design program make about $40,615 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in industrial design from University Of Wisconsin Stout

6

Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best industrial 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. There were roughly 16 industrial design students who graduated with this degree at Cedarville University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $35,768. Cedarville University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full industrial design details for Cedarville University

7

Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design
Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design earned the #7 position for industrial design this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 22 industrial design students who graduated with this degree at Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design in the most recent data year. Students who receive their industrial design degree from Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design earn around $28,801 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the industrial design program at Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design

8

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University earned the #8 position for industrial design this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Ferris State University graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 industrial design students who graduated with this degree at Ferris State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the industrial design program make about $34,045 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the industrial design program at Ferris State University

9

Jackson Community College
Jackson, MI

Jackson Community College placed #9 among the best industrial design schools. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 37 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. Students borrow a median of $16,960 to complete this degree. Get the full industrial design details for Jackson Community College

10

Cleveland Institute Of Art
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland Institute Of Art earned the #10 position for industrial design this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cleveland. Cleveland Institute Of Art graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 industrial design students who graduated with this degree at Cleveland Institute Of Art in the most recent data year. Students who receive their industrial design degree from Cleveland Institute Of Art earn around $23,358 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 industrial design from Cleveland Institute Of Art