by our College Data Analytics Team
[Design And Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 10 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.
Leading the list is Scottsdale Community College, our #1 for design and applied arts graduate salaries in Arizona. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a public institution. Design And Applied Arts graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of about $36,987 a year early in their careers.
Mesa Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools. Mesa Community College is a public school located in the city of Mesa. Design And Applied Arts graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of about $39,863 a year early in their careers.
Arizona State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a public institution. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from Arizona State University make a median of around $63,188 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in design and applied arts will find them at Arizona State University Skysong, which ranked #4. Arizona State University Skysong is a public school located in the city of Scottsdale. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong typically earn about $63,188 annually.
A rank of #5 makes Northern Arizona University one of the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a public institution. Design And Applied Arts graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of about $54,011 a year early in their careers.
Pima Community College came in at #6 for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Pima Community College is a public school located in the city of Tucson. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Pima Community College typically earn about $32,150 annually.
Grand Canyon University earned the #7 position for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit institution. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from Grand Canyon University make a median of around $38,976 per year.
Sessions College For Professional Design placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. Located in the city of Tempe, Sessions College For Professional Design is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,446.
Phoenix College landed the #9 spot for design and applied arts salaries this year. Phoenix College is a public school located in the city of Phoenix. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Phoenix College typically earn about $27,412 annually.
University Of Advancing Technology placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. University Of Advancing Technology is a private for-profit school located in the city of Tempe. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from University Of Advancing Technology make a median of around $30,640 per year.
This ranking is produced 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 · 10 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.