by our College Data Analytics TeamGraphic Design programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 87 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for graphic design students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
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.
No school ranked higher than San Jose State University this year for graphic design. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 15 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. See the full graphic design program report for San Jose State University
Students looking for a strong graphic design program will find one at Chapman University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 35 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Chapman University earn around $46,519 in the first couple years of their career. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. See the full graphic design program report for Chapman University
Point Loma Nazarene University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in graphic design, ranking #3. Set in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of Point Loma Nazarene University earn a median of $54,116 early in their careers. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $22,542 in student loans. See the full graphic design program report for Point Loma Nazarene University
A rank of #4 makes California State University Sacramento one of the top schools for graphic design. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. California State University Sacramento awarded about 37 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $32,240 early in their careers. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Read more about the graphic design program at California State University Sacramento
Concordia University Irvine is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in graphic design, ranking #5. Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Concordia University Irvine awarded about 10 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $58,590 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,085 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in graphic design from Concordia University Irvine
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #6 position for graphic design this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Rosa. There were roughly 21 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Santa Rosa Junior College earn around $80,047 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692. Read more about the graphic design program at Santa Rosa Junior College
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #7 among the best graphic design schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 121 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $30,065 in the first couple years of their career. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $21,160 in student loans. More information about a degree in graphic design from California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Diablo Valley College came in at #8 for graphic design this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. There were roughly 28 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Diablo Valley College in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,205. Get the full graphic design details for Diablo Valley College
Art Center College Of Design landed the #9 spot for graphic design this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Art Center College Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 84 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Art Center College Of Design in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of Art Center College Of Design earn a median of $47,053 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $31,050. See the full graphic design program report for Art Center College Of Design
Foothill College landed the #10 spot for graphic design this year. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. About 23 graphic design degrees were awarded at Foothill College in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Foothill College earn around $94,152 in the first couple years of their career. Foothill College graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Get the full graphic design details for Foothill College
De Anza College placed #11 among the best graphic design schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Cupertino. There were roughly 26 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at De Anza College in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $7,271. Get the full graphic design details for De Anza College
California State University Fresno placed #12 among the best graphic design schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 44 graphic design degrees were awarded at California State University Fresno in the most recent year. Graphic Design graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $23,160 early in their careers. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $24,410 in student loans. More information about a degree in graphic design from California State University Fresno
California Baptist University came in at #13 for graphic design this year. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 33 graphic design degrees were awarded at California Baptist University in the most recent year. Graphic Design graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $28,669 early in their careers. California Baptist University graduates carry a median of $26,487 in student loans. More information about a degree in graphic design from California Baptist University
Saddleback College earned the #14 position for graphic design this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. There were roughly 11 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Saddleback College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $15,890 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,707. See the full graphic design program report for Saddleback College
Mt San Antonio College placed #15 among the best graphic design schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Walnut. Mt San Antonio College awarded about 17 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete this degree. Get the full graphic design details for Mt San Antonio College
Santa Monica College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best graphic design schools. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 106 graphic design degrees were awarded at Santa Monica College in the most recent year. Get the full graphic design details for Santa Monica College
Santa Barbara City College earned the #17 position for graphic design this year. Set in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public institution. About 20 graphic design degrees were awarded at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $68,184 in their early career. Santa Barbara City College graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. More information about a degree in graphic design from Santa Barbara City College
College Of The Canyons landed the #18 spot for graphic design this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. There were roughly 38 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Canyons in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from College Of The Canyons earn around $51,913 in the first couple years of their career. College Of The Canyons graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Get the full graphic design details for College Of The Canyons
Irvine Valley College earned the #19 position for graphic design this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. There were roughly 27 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Irvine Valley College in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete this degree. See the full graphic design program report for Irvine Valley College
Santiago Canyon College earned the #20 position for graphic design this year. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. Santiago Canyon College awarded about 17 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Santiago Canyon College earn around $34,100 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. Get the full graphic design details for Santiago Canyon College
Palomar College came in at #21 for graphic design this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. Palomar College awarded about 11 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. See the full graphic design program report for Palomar College
Cypress College landed the #22 spot for graphic design this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cypress. About 16 graphic design degrees were awarded at Cypress College in the most recent year. Read more about the graphic design program at Cypress College
Napa Valley College placed #23 among the best graphic design schools. Napa Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Napa. There were roughly 10 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Napa Valley College in the most recent data year. Get the full graphic design details for Napa Valley College
Mission College earned the #24 position for graphic design this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. There were roughly 21 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Mission College in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $17,223. See the full graphic design program report for Mission College
Pasadena City College placed #25 among the best graphic design schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Pasadena City College awarded about 16 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete this degree. See the full graphic design program report for Pasadena City College
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s graphic design ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 87 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
