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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find where design and applied arts graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose design and applied arts graduates go on to earn the most.
Keene State College tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools in New Hampshire. Set in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a public institution. Design And Applied Arts graduates of Keene State College earn a median of about $54,022 a year early in their careers.
New England College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools. New England College is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Henniker. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from New England College typically earn about $42,323 annually.
A rank of #3 makes Southern New Hampshire University one of the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. Southern New Hampshire University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Manchester. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Southern New Hampshire University typically earn about $49,885 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 · 3 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.