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. 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 7 schools on the early-career earnings of their design and applied arts graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose design and applied arts graduates go on to earn the most.
Clemson University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools in South Carolina. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a public institution. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Clemson University typically earn about $57,835 annually.
Winthrop University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools. Set in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a public institution. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,038.
Strong graduate earnings at Charleston Southern University earned it the #3 place for design and applied arts. Set in the city of Charleston, Charleston Southern University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Charleston Southern University typically earn about $44,751 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in design and applied arts will find them at Anderson University Sc, which ranked #4. Anderson University Sc is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Anderson. Design And Applied Arts graduates of Anderson University Sc earn a median of about $47,780 a year early in their careers.
Bob Jones University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in design and applied arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones 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 $30,827.
Coastal Carolina University came in at #6 for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a public institution. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University typically earn about $37,002 annually.
Horry Georgetown Technical College landed the #7 spot for design and applied arts salaries this year. Set in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a public institution. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College typically earn about $28,147 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 · 7 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.