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2023 Most Popular Colleges for Design & Applied Arts

1,086 Ranked Colleges
36,301 Degrees Awarded
$37,900 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Design Major

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Most Well Attended Design Major” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Design & Applied Arts is the 36th most popular major in the country with 36,301 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, design and applied arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,426 and had an average of $25,481 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Design Major” ranking analyzed 1,086 colleges that offered a degree in design and applied arts. This ranking identifies schools that graduate the most students in design and applied arts.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Design & Applied Arts Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Design Rankings Other Ranking Categories

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Most Well Attended Design Major” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Most Well Attended Design Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for design students.

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Fashion Institute of Technology. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major list. Located in New York, New York, this medium-sized public school handed out 1,400 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Fashion Institute of Technology Design & Applied Arts Report

2

Out of the 1,086 schools in the Most Well Attended Design Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Savannah College of Art and Design landed the #2 spot on the list. SCAD is located in Savannah, Georgia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,069 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at SCAD

3
Pratt Institute crest
Pratt Institute - Main
Brooklyn, New York

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Pratt Institute - Main. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major list. Pratt Institute - Main is a medium-sized school located in Brooklyn, New York that handed out 618 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Pratt Institute

4
New School University crest
The New School
New York, New York

Out of the 1,086 schools in the Most Well Attended Design Major that were part of this year’s ranking, The New School landed the #4 spot on the list. The New School is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 544 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at The New School

5
Full Sail University crest
Full Sail University
Winter Park, Florida

Out of the 1,086 schools in the Most Well Attended Design Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Full Sail University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Winter Park, Florida, this large private for-profit school awarded 458 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.

Full Full Sail University Design & Applied Arts Report

6
SNHU crest
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, New Hampshire

Southern New Hampshire University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in Manchester, New Hampshire, and it awarded 388 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at SNHU

7

Maryland Institute College of Art did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 334 diplomas to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at MICA

8

Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major ranking. VCU is located in Richmond, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 315 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full VCU Design & Applied Arts Report

9

With a ranking of #9, FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major list. FIDM Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 288 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at FIDM Los Angeles

10

With a ranking of #10, Utah Valley University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major list. This large school is located in Orem, Utah, and it awarded 287 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UVU Design & Applied Arts Report

11
Art Center College of Design crest
Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, California

Art Center College of Design did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major ranking, coming in at #11. Art Center College of Design is located in Pasadena, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 276 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Art Center College of Design

12
Columbia crest
Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Columbia College Chicago ranked #12 on this year’s Most Well Attended Design Major list. Columbia College Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 271 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Columbia

13

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Design Major ranking. This large school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 253 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at UC

14

Iowa State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Design Major ranking. Iowa State is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 252 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Iowa State University

15

With a ranking of #15, Kent State University at Kent did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major list. Kent State is a large public school situated in Kent, Ohio. It awarded 238 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Kent State University at Kent

16
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major ranking. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 236 diplomas to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Liberty University

17

University of California - Davis came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Design Major ranking. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 228 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at UC Davis

18
SVA crest
School of Visual Arts
New York, New York

School of Visual Arts landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major ranking. Located in New York, New York, this small private for-profit school awarded 220 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at School of Visual Arts

19
Drexel crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Drexel University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Design Major ranking. Drexel is a large school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 205 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Drexel University Design & Applied Arts Report

20
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #20, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major list. San Francisco State University is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 202 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full San Francisco State University Design & Applied Arts Report

21
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major ranking. San Jose State is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 201 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at San Jose State

22

With a ranking of #22, Massachusetts College of Art and Design did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major list. This small school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 214 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Massachusetts College of Art and Design Design & Applied Arts Report

23

Arizona State University - Tempe landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major ranking. ASU - Tempe is located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 192 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at ASU - Tempe

24

New York City College of Technology did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major ranking, coming in at #24. New York City College of Technology is a fairly large public school situated in Brooklyn, New York. It awarded 178 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at New York City College of Technology

25

Rochester Institute of Technology ranked #25 on this year’s Most Well Attended Design Major list. Rochester Institute of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rochester, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 171 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at RIT

Rest of the Best 50 in Most Well Attended Design Major

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, California
27
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina
28
29
30
31
32
Texas State crest
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas
33
34
Auburn crest
Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama
35
QC crest
Queens College
Queens, New York
36
37
Otis College of Art and Design crest
Otis College of Art and Design
Los Angeles, California
38
39
40
California College of the Arts crest
California College of the Arts
San Francisco, California
40
40
Oregon State crest
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon
43
44
Ferris crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, Michigan
45
46
47
48
49
50
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Most Well Attended Design Major

While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
51Laguna College of Art and DesignLaguna Beach, CA
52Clemson UniversityClemson, SC
52Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ
52Montclair State UniversityMontclair, NJ
55Portland Community CollegePortland, OR
56Brigham Young University - ProvoProvo, UT
57Madison Area Technical CollegeMadison, WI
58AI Miami International University of Art and DesignMiami, FL
59Wake Technical Community CollegeRaleigh, NC
60Montgomery CollegeRockville, MD
60DePaul UniversityChicago, IL
62Portland State UniversityPortland, OR
62Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI
62University of Illinois at ChicagoChicago, IL
65The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX
RankCollegeLocation
65North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh, NC
67Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
68Metropolitan Community CollegeOmaha, NE
69Ivy Tech Community CollegeIndianapolis, IN
70Miami Dade CollegeMiami, FL
71Kingsborough Community CollegeBrooklyn, NY
71Miami University - OxfordOxford, OH
73West Virginia UniversityMorgantown, WV
73Bowling Green State University - Main CampusBowling Green, OH
73Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA
76Washington University in St LouisSaint Louis, MO
76El Centro CollegeDallas, TX
76Seminole State College of FloridaSanford, FL
76Bellevue CollegeBellevue, WA
76Lesley UniversityCambridge, MA
81Georgia Institute of Technology - Main CampusAtlanta, GA
81Rhode Island School of DesignProvidence, RI
81New England Institute of TechnologyEast Greenwich, RI
84Kutztown University of PennsylvaniaKutztown, PA
84Macomb Community CollegeWarren, MI
86University of KansasLawrence, KS
86Minneapolis College of Art and DesignMinneapolis, MN
86Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
89The Modern College of DesignKettering, OH
90Grand Canyon UniversityPhoenix, AZ
RankCollegeLocation
90Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant, MI
90Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PA
93The University of Texas at DallasRichardson, TX
93Central Piedmont Community CollegeCharlotte, NC
95University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA
96Cleveland Institute of ArtCleveland, OH
96Johnson County Community CollegeOverland Park, KS
98Purdue University - Main CampusWest Lafayette, IN
98Northern Virginia Community CollegeAnnandale, VA
98Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main CampusIndiana, PA
101Wentworth Institute of TechnologyBoston, MA
101Collin County Community College DistrictMcKinney, TX
101Salt Lake Community CollegeSalt Lake City, UT
101Virginia TechBlacksburg, VA
101University of OregonEugene, OR
106Santa Monica CollegeSanta Monica, CA
106University of California - Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA
106Austin Community College DistrictAustin, TX
106Kean UniversityUnion, NJ
106Western Washington UniversityBellingham, WA
111Marymount UniversityArlington, VA
111University of FloridaGainesville, FL
113Arapahoe Community CollegeLittleton, CO
113The University of the ArtsPhiladelphia, PA
113Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI
RankCollegeLocation
113University of Massachusetts - DartmouthNorth Dartmouth, MA
117Oakland UniversityRochester Hills, MI
118Oklahoma State University - Main CampusStillwater, OK
118Farmingdale State CollegeFarmingdale, NY
118California Baptist UniversityRiverside, CA
118Metropolitan State University of DenverDenver, CO
118Berkeley College - Woodland ParkWoodland Park, NJ
118University of Nevada - Las VegasLas Vegas, NV
124California State University - SacramentoSacramento, CA
124Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti, MI
126Bellevue UniversityBellevue, NE
126SUNY OneontaOneonta, NY
126Nassau Community CollegeGarden City, NY
126Gateway Technical CollegeKenosha, WI
130Sinclair Community CollegeDayton, OH
130Universidad del TuraboGurabo, PR
130University of HoustonHouston, TX
133Cuyahoga Community College DistrictCleveland, OH
134Interior Designers InstituteNewport Beach, CA
134Weber State UniversityOgden, UT
134Boston UniversityBoston, MA
134Kansas City Art InstituteKansas City, MO
134University of ArkansasFayetteville, AR
139University of Northern IowaCedar Falls, IA
140Champlain CollegeBurlington, VT
RankCollegeLocation
140Cedarville UniversityCedarville, OH
142California State University - FresnoFresno, CA
142Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL
142Endicott CollegeBeverly, MA
145Los Angeles Film SchoolHollywood, CA
145Scottsdale Community CollegeScottsdale, AZ
145Fox Valley Technical CollegeAppleton, WI
145George Washington UniversityWashington, DC
145Coastal Carolina UniversityConway, SC
145Ohio State University - Main CampusColumbus, OH
151Moore College of Art and DesignPhiladelphia, PA
151The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL
151High Point UniversityHigh Point, NC
151Seattle Central CollegeSeattle, WA
151South Dakota State UniversityBrookings, SD
156Pennsylvania College of Art and DesignLancaster, PA
156Sierra CollegeRocklin, CA
158Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro, GA
158Monroe Community CollegeRochester, NY
158Bradley UniversityPeoria, IL
158Ohio University - Athens CampusAthens, OH
158University of Minnesota - DuluthDuluth, MN
158Tidewater Community CollegeNorfolk, VA

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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