by our College Data Analytics TeamIndustrial Design is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their industrial design programs.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best industrial design schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall industrial design education in California.
Our analysis ranked San Jose State University the best school in the country for a degree in industrial design. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 12 industrial design students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. Get the full industrial design details for San Jose State University
California State University Fullerton is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in industrial design, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 50 industrial design degrees in the most recent data year. Industrial Design graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,525. Get the full industrial design details for California State University Fullerton
San Francisco State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best industrial design schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 33 industrial design degrees 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. Read more about the industrial design program at San Francisco State University
California State University Long Beach is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in industrial design, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 industrial design degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Industrial Design graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $37,395 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,215 to complete this degree. See the full industrial design program report for California State University Long Beach
A rank of #5 makes Otis College Of Art And Design one of the top schools for industrial design. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Otis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. About 66% of students finish within six years. Otis College Of Art And Design awarded about 21 industrial design degrees in the most recent data year. Industrial Design graduates of Otis College Of Art And Design earn a median of $31,172 early in their careers. Otis College Of Art And Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full industrial design details for Otis College Of Art And Design
California College Of The Arts landed the #6 spot for industrial design this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 industrial design degrees were awarded at California College Of The Arts in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from California College Of The Arts generally make around $28,673. California College Of The Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in industrial design from California College Of The Arts
Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles landed the #7 spot for industrial design this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 41 industrial design degrees were awarded at Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the industrial design program make about $25,436 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,833. More information about a degree in industrial design from Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles
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 · 9 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.