by our College Data Analytics TeamGraphic Design is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their graphic design programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 306 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for graphic design students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Where you study graphic design matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Graphic Design Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Graphic Design School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Graphic Design Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
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.
San Jose State University tops our 2027 ranking of the best graphic design schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 23 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the graphic design program at San Jose State University
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best graphic design schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 45 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $49,780. Typical student debt for the program is $20,875. Get the full graphic design details for University Of Wisconsin Madison
A rank of #3 makes Chapman University one of the top schools for graphic design. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 33 graphic design degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $46,519. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in graphic design from Chapman University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best graphic design schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn around $48,940 in the first couple years of their career. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full graphic design program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of Florida is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in graphic design, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 52 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $43,144. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $19,839 in student loans. More information about a degree in graphic design from University Of Florida
Boston University landed the #6 spot for graphic design this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 68 graphic design degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Graphic Design graduates of Boston University earn a median of $49,254 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the graphic design program at Boston University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #7 spot for graphic design this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 83 graphic design degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $42,462 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000. See the full graphic design program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #8 among the best graphic design schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 60 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $34,670 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $18,839 in student loans. See the full graphic design program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Xavier University came in at #9 for graphic design this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Xavier University awarded about 12 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Xavier University earn around $55,045 in the first couple years of their career. Xavier University graduates carry a median of $26,614 in student loans. Read more about the graphic design program at Xavier University
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #10 among the best graphic design schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 54 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $38,585 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. See the full graphic design program report for University Of Nebraska Lincoln
American University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best graphic design schools. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 19 graphic design degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from American University generally make around $54,585. American University graduates carry a median of $24,139 in student loans. More information about a degree in graphic design from American University
Arizona State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best graphic design schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 71 graphic design degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Arizona State University earn around $41,589 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. See the full graphic design program report for Arizona State University
County College Of Morris came in at #13 for graphic design this year. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 17 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at County College Of Morris in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $30,966 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,420 to complete this degree. Read more about the graphic design program at County College Of Morris
Point Loma Nazarene University came in at #14 for graphic design this year. Located in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 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. Students borrow a median of $22,542 to complete this degree. Get the full graphic design details for Point Loma Nazarene University
Washington State University came in at #15 for graphic design this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. Washington State University awarded about 33 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $44,823 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,802 to complete this degree. See the full graphic design program report for Washington State University
Texas Christian University landed the #16 spot for graphic design this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $60,035 early in their careers. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. More information about a degree in graphic design from Texas Christian University
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #17 among the best graphic design schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $53,134 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete this degree. Read more about the graphic design program at University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #18 spot for graphic design this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. University Of South Florida Main Campus awarded about 30 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $38,938. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in graphic design from University Of South Florida Main Campus
High Point University landed the #19 spot for graphic design this year. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. High Point University graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at High Point University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from High Point University earn around $113,352 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete this degree. Get the full graphic design details for High Point University
Miami University Oxford landed the #20 spot for graphic design this year. Miami University Oxford is a very large public school located in the town of Oxford. About 80% of students finish within six years. Miami University Oxford awarded about 18 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. Read more about the graphic design program at Miami University Oxford
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #21 spot for graphic design this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 21 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn around $43,324 in the first couple years of their career. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full graphic design program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Drexel University came in at #22 for graphic design this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. Drexel University awarded about 62 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $38,154. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in graphic design from Drexel University
California State University Sacramento placed #23 among the best graphic design schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 36 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $32,240. Typical student debt for the program is $15,750. Get the full graphic design details for California State University Sacramento
George Washington University placed #24 among the best graphic design schools. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $54,222. Typical student debt for the program is $22,910. See the full graphic design program report for George Washington University
Northeastern University placed #25 among the best graphic design schools. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northeastern University awarded about 65 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Northeastern University earn around $49,727 in the first couple years of their career. Northeastern University graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. See the full graphic design program report for Northeastern University
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s graphic design ranking:
These schools also stood out for graphic design:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| #51 | The University Of Tennessee | Knoxville, TN |
| #52 | Weber State University | Ogden, UT |
| #53 | Brigham Young University Provo | Provo, UT |
| #54 | University Of Toledo | Toledo, OH |
| #55 | State University Of New York At New Paltz | New Paltz, NY |
| #56 | University Of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls, IA |
| #57 | Dakota County Technical College | Rosemount, MN |
| #58 | Portland State University | Portland, OR |
| #59 | Mercer University | Macon, GA |
| #60 | Augsburg College | Minneapolis, MN |
| #61 | Roger Williams University | Bristol, RI |
A few more graphic design schools worth a look:
Explore the best graphic design schools by region.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
| Outlying Areas |
Graphic Design is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 306 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
