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 highest-paying schools turn a design and applied arts degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 18 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.
Our analysis ranked Southern Methodist University the top school for design and applied arts graduate earnings in Texas. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from Southern Methodist University make a median of around $67,905 per year.
The University Of Texas At Austin produces some of the highest-paid graduates in design and applied arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin typically earn about $88,050 annually.
Austin Community College District came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a public institution. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from Austin Community College District make a median of around $43,956 per year.
A rank of #4 makes Texas Christian University one of the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from Texas Christian University make a median of around $60,241 per year.
University Of Houston produces some of the highest-paid graduates in design and applied arts, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Houston is a public school located in the city of Houston. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from University Of Houston typically earn about $64,210 annually.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #6 spot for design and applied arts salaries this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a public school located in the city of San Marcos. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,197.
Baylor University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Design And Applied Arts graduates of Baylor University earn a median of about $62,970 a year early in their careers.
Collin County Community College District placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. Collin County Community College District is a public school located in the suburb of McKinney. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from Collin County Community College District make a median of around $33,456 per year.
Sam Houston State University came in at #9 for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a public institution. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,480.
University Of North Texas came in at #10 for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a public institution. Design And Applied Arts graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of about $55,345 a year early in their careers.
El Centro College placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a public institution. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from El Centro College typically earn about $54,749 annually.
San Antonio College earned the #12 position for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a public institution. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from San Antonio College typically earn about $31,633 annually.
Abilene Christian University landed the #13 spot for design and applied arts salaries this year. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Design And Applied Arts graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of about $38,553 a year early in their careers.
University Of The Incarnate Word landed the #14 spot for design and applied arts salaries this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from University Of The Incarnate Word make a median of around $52,068 per year.
Saint Edwards University placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for design and applied arts. Saint Edwards University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Saint Edwards University typically earn about $42,871 annually.
Texas State Technical College landed the #16 spot for design and applied arts salaries this year. Located in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a public institution. After graduating, design and applied arts degree recipients from Texas State Technical College typically earn about $32,318 annually.
Lubbock Christian University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying design and applied arts schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Lubbock Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career design and applied arts graduates from Lubbock Christian University make a median of around $29,479 per year.
South Plains College earned the #18 position for design and applied arts graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a public institution. Students who complete the design and applied arts program here go on to a median salary of roughly $22,747.
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 · 18 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.