by our College Data Analytics Team
[Design And Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their design and applied arts graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find where design and applied arts graduates earn the most.
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Below are the schools whose design and applied arts graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Lawrence Technological University, our #1 for design and applied arts graduate salaries in Michigan. Set in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $72,639.
A rank of #2 makes Western Michigan University one of the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a public institution. Design And Applied Arts graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of about $67,581 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in design and applied arts will find them at Central Michigan University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a public institution. Design And Applied Arts graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of about $56,215 a year early in their careers.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University typically earn about $52,336 annually.
College For Creative Studies produces some of the highest-paid graduates in design and applied arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Detroit, College For Creative Studies is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from College For Creative Studies typically earn about $60,568 annually.
Michigan State University landed the #6 spot for design and applied arts salaries this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a public institution. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,108.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College earned the #7 position for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from Kalamazoo Valley Community College make a median of around $32,136 per year.
Ferris State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools. Ferris State University is a public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from Ferris State University make a median of around $43,252 per year.
Oakland University earned the #9 position for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Oakland University is a public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,569.
Saginaw Valley State University earned the #10 position for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a public school located in the suburb of University Center. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University typically earn about $49,623 annually.
Macomb Community College placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a public institution. Design And Applied Arts graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of about $45,307 a year early in their careers.
Henry Ford Community College landed the #12 spot for design and applied arts salaries this year. Henry Ford Community College is a public school located in the city of Dearborn. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from Henry Ford Community College make a median of around $25,623 per year.
University Of Michigan Flint placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. University Of Michigan Flint is a public school located in the city of Flint. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from University Of Michigan Flint make a median of around $39,767 per year.
This list is compiled 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 · 13 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.