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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their design and applied arts graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 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.
For graduate earnings in design and applied arts, no school beat Stonehill College this year. Stonehill College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $71,309.
Northeastern University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in design and applied arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern 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 $95,088.
A rank of #3 makes Wentworth Institute Of Technology one of the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. Wentworth Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Wentworth Institute Of Technology typically earn about $67,547 annually.
Suffolk University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in design and applied arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Suffolk University typically earn about $62,088 annually.
Endicott College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools. Set in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College 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 $65,413.
Boston University came in at #6 for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Boston University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Boston University typically earn about $49,254 annually.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned the #7 position for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a public institution. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,020.
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a public school located in the city of Boston. Design And Applied Arts graduates of Massachusetts College Of Art And Design earn a median of about $55,560 a year early in their careers.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a public institution. Design And Applied Arts graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of about $49,179 a year early in their careers.
Lesley University landed the #10 spot for design and applied arts salaries this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Lesley 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 $51,256.
Lasell College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools. Located in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Lasell College typically earn about $43,722 annually.
Emmanuel College Massachusetts earned the #12 position for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Emmanuel College Massachusetts typically earn about $32,413 annually.
Fitchburg State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a public institution. Design And Applied Arts graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of about $29,191 a year early in their careers.
Assumption College landed the #14 spot for design and applied arts salaries this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Assumption College 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 $28,032.
Montserrat College Of Art landed the #15 spot for design and applied arts salaries this year. Montserrat College Of Art is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Beverly. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,093.
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 · 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.