2027 Best Graphic Design Schools in Michigan
Graphic Design is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools to find the best for graphic design students.
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Best Schools for Graphic Design in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall graphic design education in Michigan.
Top Schools in Graphic Design
Our analysis ranked Michigan State University the best school in the country for a degree in graphic design. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Michigan State University awarded about 52 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $36,784. Students borrow a median of $28,175 to complete this degree.
Get the full graphic design details for Michigan State University
A rank of #2 makes Western Michigan University one of the top schools for graphic design. This large public university is located in the city of Kalamazoo. About 58% of students finish within six years. Western Michigan University awarded about 18 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $39,077 in their early career. Western Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the graphic design program at Western Michigan University
Central Michigan University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best graphic design schools. This large public university is located in the town of Mount Pleasant. About 59% of students finish within six years. About 14 graphic design degrees were awarded at Central Michigan University in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $36,917 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full graphic design details for Central Michigan University
Adrian College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Adrian, Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 45% of students finish within six years. About 16 graphic design degrees were awarded at Adrian College in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $43,444 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,071.
See the full graphic design program report for Adrian College
A rank of #5 makes Cornerstone University one of the top schools for graphic design. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 13 graphic design degrees were awarded at Cornerstone University in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic design degree from Cornerstone University earn around $44,501 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,243 to complete this degree.
See the full graphic design program report for Cornerstone University
Ferris State University placed #6 among the best graphic design schools. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. About 56% of students finish within six years. Ferris State University awarded about 27 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic design program make about $34,045 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full graphic design details for Ferris State University
Saginaw Valley State University placed #7 among the best graphic design schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of University Center. Saginaw Valley State University graduates 48% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 graphic design students who graduated with this degree at Saginaw Valley State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $27,577. Students borrow a median of $26,125 to complete this degree.
Get the full graphic design details for Saginaw Valley State University
Oakland University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best graphic design schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Oakland University awarded about 67 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $30,687. Students borrow a median of $27,954 to complete this degree.
Read more about the graphic design program at Oakland University
Muskegon Community College earned the #9 position for graphic design this year. Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muskegon. About 17 graphic design degrees were awarded at Muskegon Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Muskegon Community College generally make around $48,267. Students borrow a median of $14,928 to complete this degree.
Read more about the graphic design program at Muskegon Community College
Southwestern Michigan College placed #10 among the best graphic design schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Dowagiac. Southwestern Michigan College awarded about 10 graphic design degrees in the most recent data year. Graphic Design graduates of Southwestern Michigan College earn a median of $43,153 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,575 to complete this degree.
See the full graphic design program report for Southwestern Michigan College
More Graphic Design Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 10 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.