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.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose design and applied arts graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is County College Of Morris, our #1 for design and applied arts graduate salaries in New Jersey. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a public institution. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from County College Of Morris typically earn about $54,286 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Seton Hall University earned it the #2 place for design and applied arts. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from Seton Hall University make a median of around $56,686 per year.
A rank of #3 makes Sussex County Community College one of the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. Located in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $34,977.
Kean University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in design and applied arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a public institution. Design And Applied Arts graduates of Kean University earn a median of about $59,125 a year early in their careers.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools. Located in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a public institution. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,975.
Montclair State University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a public institution. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Montclair State University typically earn about $52,388 annually.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #7 for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $32,397.
Centenary College earned the #8 position for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Hackettstown, Centenary College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Centenary College typically earn about $36,388 annually.
Rider University came in at #9 for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from Rider University make a median of around $29,445 per year.
Berkeley College Woodland Park earned the #10 position for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Berkeley College Woodland Park is a private for-profit school located in the suburb of Woodland Park. Design And Applied Arts graduates of Berkeley College Woodland Park earn a median of about $27,937 a year early in their careers.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools. Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham typically earn about $24,357 annually.
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 · 11 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.