by our College Data Analytics TeamIndustrial 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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools to find the best for industrial design students.
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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 industrial design degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than San Jose State University this year for industrial design. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 industrial design degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. Read more about the industrial design program at San Jose State University
Students looking for a strong industrial design program will find one at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 industrial design degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the industrial design program make about $63,449 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,250. Read more about the industrial design program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus
California State University Fullerton is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in industrial design, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 50 industrial design students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Industrial Design graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. More information about a degree in industrial design from California State University Fullerton
A rank of #4 makes San Francisco State University one of the top schools for industrial design. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 33 industrial design students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Industrial Design graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $34,845 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000. Get the full industrial design details for San Francisco State University
A rank of #5 makes California State University Long Beach one of the top schools for industrial design. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. California State University Long Beach awarded about 29 industrial design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their industrial design degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $37,395 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,215. See the full industrial design program report for California State University Long Beach
Western Washington University came in at #6 for industrial design this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Western Washington University graduates 65% of students within six years. About 13 industrial design degrees were awarded at Western Washington University in the most recent year. Graduates of the industrial design program make about $31,078 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. See the full industrial design program report for Western Washington University
Otis College Of Art And Design placed #7 among the best industrial design schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 industrial design students who graduated with this degree at Otis College Of Art And Design in the most recent data year. Graduates of the industrial design program make about $31,172 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the industrial design program at Otis College Of Art And Design
California College Of The Arts landed the #8 spot for industrial design this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, California College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. California College Of The Arts awarded about 27 industrial design degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their industrial design degree from California College Of The Arts earn around $28,673 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full industrial design details for California College Of The Arts
Walla Walla University landed the #9 spot for industrial design this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of College Place. Walla Walla University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 10 industrial design degrees were awarded at Walla Walla University in the most recent year. Industrial Design graduates of Walla Walla University earn a median of $28,436 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the industrial design program at Walla Walla University
Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles landed the #10 spot for industrial design this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles awarded about 41 industrial design degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles generally make around $25,436. Typical student debt for the program is $21,833. Read more about the industrial design program at Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.