2027 Best Graphic Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Graphic 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 50 schools to find the best for graphic design students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Graphic Design in the Great Lakes 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
No school ranked higher than University Of Wisconsin Madison this year for graphic design. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 45 graphic design degrees 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.
More information about a degree in graphic design from University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 60 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $34,670 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $18,839 in student loans.
Read more about the graphic design program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Xavier University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best graphic design schools. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Xavier University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Xavier University generally make around $55,045. Typical student debt for the program is $26,614.
Read more about the graphic design program at Xavier University
Miami University Oxford is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #4 spot this year. Miami University Oxford is a very large public school located in the town of Oxford. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Miami University Oxford awarded about 18 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $47,295. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
See the full graphic design program report for Miami University Oxford
A rank of #5 makes Madison Area Technical College one of the top schools for graphic design. This large public university is located in the city of Madison. Madison Area Technical College awarded about 26 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Madison Area Technical College earn around $30,710 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,750.
See the full graphic design program report for Madison Area Technical College
Carroll University landed the #6 spot for graphic design this year. Located in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. Carroll University awarded about 10 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of Carroll University earn a median of $52,404 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,904.
See the full graphic design program report for Carroll University
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #7 position for graphic design this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 46 graphic design degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $34,377 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in graphic design from University Of Illinois At Chicago
Michigan State University earned the #8 position for graphic design this year. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. About 52 graphic design degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Michigan State University earn around $36,784 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,175.
See the full graphic design program report for Michigan State University
Benedictine University earned the #9 position for graphic design this year. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Benedictine University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Benedictine University generally make around $54,212. Typical student debt for the program is $25,338.
See the full graphic design program report for Benedictine University
Depaul University came in at #10 for graphic design this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 34 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $30,536. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the graphic design program at Depaul University
Western Michigan University placed #11 among the best graphic design schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 graphic design degrees were awarded at Western Michigan University in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Western Michigan University earn around $39,077 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full graphic design details for Western Michigan University
Aurora University placed #12 among the best graphic design schools. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 17 graphic design degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Aurora University earn around $51,483 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,507.
See the full graphic design program report for Aurora University
University Of Toledo ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best graphic design schools. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Toledo awarded about 13 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $52,675 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,923.
Read more about the graphic design program at University Of Toledo
University Of Wisconsin Stout earned the #14 position for graphic design this year. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 48 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Stout in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from University Of Wisconsin Stout earn around $40,615 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the graphic design program at University Of Wisconsin Stout
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best graphic design schools. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. There were roughly 23 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Chippewa Valley Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $45,531 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,234 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in graphic design from Chippewa Valley Technical College
Waukesha County Technical College landed the #16 spot for graphic design this year. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. There were roughly 32 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Waukesha County Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Waukesha County Technical College earn around $39,095 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,554 to complete this degree.
See the full graphic design program report for Waukesha County Technical College
Northeastern Illinois University placed #17 among the best graphic design schools. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Northeastern Illinois University graduates 22% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $49,254. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete this degree.
Get the full graphic design details for Northeastern Illinois University
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #18 position for graphic design this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. Ohio University Main Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 21 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $24,716 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,791 to complete this degree.
Get the full graphic design details for Ohio University Main Campus
Elgin Community College placed #19 among the best graphic design schools. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 23 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Elgin Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Elgin Community College earn around $43,975 in the first couple years of their career. Elgin Community College graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans.
More information about a degree in graphic design from Elgin Community College
Western Technical College La Cross came in at #20 for graphic design this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a large public university. Western Technical College La Cross awarded about 24 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of Western Technical College La Cross earn a median of $23,032 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,057 to complete this degree.
See the full graphic design program report for Western Technical College La Cross
Cedarville University earned the #21 position for graphic design this year. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. Cedarville University graduates 72% of students within six years. About 13 graphic design degrees were awarded at Cedarville University in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Cedarville University earn around $35,768 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Get the full graphic design details for Cedarville University
Central Michigan University came in at #22 for graphic design this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. There were roughly 14 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Central Michigan University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Central Michigan University earn around $36,917 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the graphic design program at Central Michigan University
Gateway Technical College placed #23 among the best graphic design schools. This large public university is located in the city of Kenosha. About 17 graphic design degrees were awarded at Gateway Technical College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Gateway Technical College generally make around $29,734. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete this degree.
See the full graphic design program report for Gateway Technical College
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best graphic design schools. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 33 graphic design degrees were awarded at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $35,645. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full graphic design details for Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Adrian College earned the #25 position for graphic design this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Adrian. Adrian College graduates 45% of students within six years. About 16 graphic design degrees were awarded at Adrian College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Adrian College generally make around $43,444. Typical student debt for the program is $28,071.
More information about a degree in graphic design from Adrian College
Rest of the Top 50 Graphic Design Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong graphic design education:
Narrow Graphic Design Schools by State
More Graphic Design Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 50 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
