2026 Best Industrial Design Master’s Degree Schools
Industrial Design degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 83 schools to find the best for industrial design students.
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Best Schools for Industrial Design in the United States
See the highest-ranked industrial design schools offering a master’s degree below.
Top Schools in Industrial Design
No school ranked higher than Kansas State University this year for industrial design. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 12 industrial design students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the industrial design program make about $43,992 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #2 makes Fashion Institute Of Technology one of the top schools for industrial design. Set in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Fashion Institute Of Technology awarded about 25 industrial design degrees in the most recent data year. Industrial Design graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $20,692 early in their careers. Fashion Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans.
Read more about the industrial design program at Fashion Institute Of Technology
Students looking for a strong industrial design program will find one at Pratt Institute Main, which ranked #3. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Brooklyn. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 21 industrial design degrees were awarded at Pratt Institute Main in the most recent year. Graduates of the industrial design program make about $45,720 in their early career. Pratt Institute Main graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
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The New School came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best industrial design schools. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 27 industrial design degrees were awarded at The New School in the most recent year. Industrial Design graduates of The New School earn a median of $39,393 early in their careers. The New School graduates carry a median of $23,606 in student loans.
More information about a degree in industrial design from The New School
Students looking for a strong industrial design program will find one at Syracuse University, which ranked #5. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Syracuse. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Syracuse University awarded about 17 industrial design degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the industrial design program make about $46,181 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the industrial design program at Syracuse University
California College Of The Arts came in at #6 for industrial design this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Francisco. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. California College Of The Arts awarded about 27 industrial design degrees in the most recent data year. Industrial Design graduates of California College Of The Arts earn a median of $28,673 early in their careers. California College Of The Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Other Industrial Design Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Industrial Design rankings across degree levels:
View All Industrial Design Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 83 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.
