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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools on the early-career earnings of their design and applied arts graduates.
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Below are the schools whose design and applied arts graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is School Of Advertising Art Inc, our #1 for design and applied arts graduate salaries in Ohio. School Of Advertising Art Inc is a private for-profit school located in the city of Kettering. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,953.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned it the #2 place for design and applied arts. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus make a median of around $69,447 per year.
Miami University Oxford came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Miami University Oxford typically earn about $67,080 annually.
Ohio State University Main Campus produces some of the highest-paid graduates in design and applied arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,416.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Dayton earned it the #5 place for design and applied arts. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from University Of Dayton make a median of around $60,018 per year.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #6 spot for design and applied arts salaries this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,246.
Cedarville University earned the #7 position for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Cedarville University is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,239.
Kent State University At Kent ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools. Kent State University At Kent is a public school located in the suburb of Kent. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from Kent State University At Kent make a median of around $52,096 per year.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for design and applied arts salaries this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,779.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,422.
Sinclair Community College placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a public institution. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from Sinclair Community College make a median of around $36,535 per year.
Owens Community College earned the #12 position for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Owens Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Perrysburg. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Owens Community College typically earn about $28,550 annually.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #13 for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $36,586.
Cleveland State University came in at #14 for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a public institution. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,790.
Columbus College Of Art And Design landed the #15 spot for design and applied arts salaries this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus College Of Art And Design 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 $40,747.
Baldwin Wallace College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools. Set in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from Baldwin Wallace College make a median of around $31,749 per year.
Art Academy Of Cincinnati came in at #17 for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Art Academy Of Cincinnati is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Art Academy Of Cincinnati typically earn about $37,445 annually.
Cleveland Institute Of Art ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland Institute Of Art is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Cleveland Institute Of Art typically earn about $23,358 annually.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their design and applied arts graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 18 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.
