by our College Data Analytics Team
[Design And Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 19 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.
Carnegie Mellon University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid design and applied arts graduates in Pennsylvania. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University typically earn about $66,274 annually.
A rank of #2 makes Temple University one of the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. Temple University is a public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,888.
Strong graduate earnings at Susquehanna University earned it the #3 place for design and applied arts. Set in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from Susquehanna University make a median of around $63,532 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Drexel University earned it the #4 place for design and applied arts. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from Drexel University make a median of around $67,219 per year.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania produces some of the highest-paid graduates in design and applied arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania make a median of around $48,232 per year.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a public school located in the city of Williamsport. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from Pennsylvania College Of Technology make a median of around $45,572 per year.
Thomas Jefferson University came in at #7 for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University typically earn about $56,844 annually.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #8 spot for design and applied arts salaries this year. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,452.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public school located in the town of Indiana. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,226.
Mercyhurst College earned the #10 position for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from Mercyhurst College make a median of around $58,401 per year.
York College Pennsylvania landed the #11 spot for design and applied arts salaries this year. Set in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania 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 $52,684.
Robert Morris University earned the #12 position for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Moon Township, Robert Morris University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Robert Morris University typically earn about $50,110 annually.
Albright College came in at #13 for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Reading, Albright College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Albright College typically earn about $44,395 annually.
Marywood University came in at #14 for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Marywood University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,458.
Luzerne County Community College landed the #15 spot for design and applied arts salaries this year. Luzerne County Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Nanticoke. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $28,106.
Lehigh Carbon Community College placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College typically earn about $27,896 annually.
Moore College Of Art And Design ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Moore College Of Art And Design is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Moore College Of Art And Design typically earn about $46,147 annually.
Northampton County Area Community College placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. Northampton County Area Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College typically earn about $30,533 annually.
Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design came in at #19 for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design make a median of around $26,703 per year.
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 · 19 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.