by our College Data Analytics Team
[Design And Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their design and applied arts graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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If you want to know which schools send design and applied arts graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Illinois Institute Of Technology the top school for design and applied arts graduate earnings in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from Illinois Institute Of Technology make a median of around $161,878 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Elgin Community College earned it the #2 place for design and applied arts. Elgin Community College is a public school located in the city of Elgin. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from Elgin Community College make a median of around $39,299 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Augustana College Illinois earned it the #3 place for design and applied arts. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from Augustana College Illinois make a median of around $49,518 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in design and applied arts will find them at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $70,046.
A rank of #5 makes Depaul University one of the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. Depaul University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,069.
Rasmussen College Illinois came in at #6 for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Rasmussen College Illinois is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $32,246.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #7 position for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public school located in the city of Chicago. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,710.
College Of Dupage ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a public institution. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from College Of Dupage make a median of around $31,809 per year.
Illinois State University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a public institution. Design And Applied Arts graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of about $39,287 a year early in their careers.
North Central College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools. Set in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from North Central College make a median of around $54,631 per year.
Judson University landed the #11 spot for design and applied arts salaries this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Judson University is a private not-for-profit institution. Design And Applied Arts graduates of Judson University earn a median of about $37,466 a year early in their careers.
Columbia College Chicago came in at #12 for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Design And Applied Arts graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of about $46,082 a year early in their careers.
Bradley University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution. Design And Applied Arts graduates of Bradley University earn a median of about $55,746 a year early in their careers.
Dominican University earned the #14 position for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Dominican University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Dominican University typically earn about $22,938 annually.
Roosevelt University came in at #15 for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Roosevelt University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Roosevelt University typically earn about $19,028 annually.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries design and applied arts graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 15 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
