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2022 Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts

637 Colleges in the United States
19,683 Bachelor's Degrees
$31,649 Avg Early-Career Salary
Design & Applied Arts is of the hottest bachelor's degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #27 most popular major in the country. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

For its 2022 ranking, College Factual looked at 637 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the most popular for design and applied arts students pursuing a bachelor's degree. Combined, these schools handed out 19,683 bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Design & Applied Arts School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts The design bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. We created our Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts ranking to make it a little easier to choose the right one for you.

While being high in popularity does not always mean a school has a quality design and applied arts program, it is a sign that a large number of students choose the school. This may be due to it being a great value, it offering a stellar educational experience, or the subject is a major focus of the school.

More Ways to Rank Design & Applied Arts Schools

Associate Degrees in Design
Master's Degrees in Design
Doctor's Degrees in Design
Overall Popularity in Design

This is not our only ranking, nor the only degree level we have ranked. In addition to this ranking, you may want to take at the rankings for different degree levels as called out above. You can also narrow your search by location by filtering for a certain area of the country. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for design and applied arts.

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.

Below you'll see a list of the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in design and applied arts. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Most Well Attended Schools for Design Students Working on Their Bachelor's

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867 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In GA
#3 Best Quality In GA

Savannah College of Art and Design is one of the most popular schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in design and applied arts. SCAD is a large private not-for-profit college located in the city of Savannah. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Georgia.

There were about 867 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at SCAD in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the design program report average early career earnings of $23,500.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Savannah College of Art and Design

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560 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NY
#2 Best Quality In NY

Fashion Institute of Technology is a popular choice for individuals interested in a bachelor's degree in design and applied arts. Located in the city of New York, FIT SUNY is a public school with a moderately-sized student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in New York.

There were about 560 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at FIT SUNY in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's recipients from the design and applied arts major at Fashion Institute of Technology get $6,551 above the typical college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Fashion Institute of Technology

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New School University crest
The New School
New York, NY
469 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NY
#8 Best Quality In NY

The New School is a popular choice for individuals interested in a bachelor's degree in design and applied arts. New School University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New York. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #8 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in New York.

There were roughly 469 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at New School University in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the design program state that they receive average early career income of $31,100.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from The New School

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387 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In NY
#4 Best Quality In NY

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Pratt Institute - Main if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in design and applied arts. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in New York.

There were roughly 387 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Pratt Institute in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's recipients from the design and applied arts program at Pratt Institute - Main get $3,251 more than the average college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Pratt Institute - Main

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345 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NH
#1 Best Quality In NH

Located in the medium-sized suburb of Manchester, SNHU is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in New Hampshire.

There were about 345 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at SNHU in the most recent data year.

After graduating, design bachelor's recipients generally make an average of $33,000 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Southern New Hampshire University

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278 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In VA
#2 Best Quality In VA

Located in the city of Richmond, VCU is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Virginia.

There were approximately 278 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at VCU in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the design program report average early career wages of $28,000.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Virginia Commonwealth University

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272 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IL
#8 Best Quality In IL

Located in the large city of Chicago, Columbia is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #8 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Illinois.

There were approximately 272 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the design program make an average of $27,200 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Columbia College Chicago

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Full Sail University crest
Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL
236 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In FL
#14 Best Quality In FL

Located in the suburb of Winter Park, Full Sail University is a private for-profit university with a very large student population.

There were about 236 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Full Sail University in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the design program state that they receive average early career earnings of $27,800.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Full Sail University

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235 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CA
#3 Best Quality In CA

Located in the small suburb of Davis, UC Davis is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in California.

There were roughly 235 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at UC Davis in the most recent year we have data available.

Those design and applied arts students who get their bachelor's degree from University of California - Davis receive $2,251 more than the average design grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from University of California - Davis

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234 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In OH
#5 Best Quality In OH

Kent State is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Kent. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Ohio.

There were approximately 234 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Kent State in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's recipients from the design and applied arts degree program at Kent State University at Kent make $4,351 more than the typical graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Kent State University at Kent

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227 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IA
#1 Best Quality In IA

Located in the small city of Ames, Iowa State is a public university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Iowa.

There were roughly 227 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Iowa State in the most recent year we have data available.

Those design and applied arts students who get their bachelor's degree from Iowa State University earn $4,351 more than the typical design graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Iowa State University

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223 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In CA
#4 Best Quality In CA

Located in the medium-sized city of Pasadena, Art Center College of Design is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in California.

There were about 223 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Art Center College of Design in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's recipients from the design and applied arts program at Art Center College of Design earn $18,251 above the average college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Art Center College of Design

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205 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In OH
#1 Best Quality In OH

UC is a very large public university located in the large city of Cincinnati. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Ohio.

There were roughly 205 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at UC in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's recipients from the design and applied arts degree program at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus make $12,651 more than the typical college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

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200 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In NY
#9 Best Quality In NY

Located in the large city of New York, SVA is a private for-profit school with a small student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #9 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in New York.

There were about 200 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at SVA in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the design program state that they receive average early career earnings of $27,500.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from School of Visual Arts

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187 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TX
#8 Best Quality In TX

Located in the medium-sized city of Richardson, UT Dallas is a public university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #8 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Texas.

There were about 187 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at UT Dallas in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduation, design bachelor's recipients generally earn about $24,800 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from The University of Texas at Dallas

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Drexel crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
185 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In PA
#2 Best Quality In PA

Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Pennsylvania.

There were about 185 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Drexel in the most recent data year.

Those design and applied arts students who get their bachelor's degree from Drexel University receive $11,851 more than the typical design graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Drexel University

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180 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AZ
#1 Best Quality In AZ

ASU - Tempe is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Tempe. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Arizona.

There were roughly 180 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at ASU - Tempe in the most recent year we have data available.

Design & Applied Arts bachelor's degree recipients from Arizona State University - Tempe receive an earnings boost of about $7,151 over the average earnings of design and applied arts majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Arizona State University - Tempe

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180 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MD
#1 Best Quality In MD

Located in the large city of Baltimore, MICA is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Maryland.

There were roughly 180 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at MICA in the most recent data year.

After graduation, design bachelor's recipients generally earn about $22,700 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Maryland Institute College of Art

19
168 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MI
#1 Best Quality In MI

Located in the city of Detroit, CCS is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Michigan.

There were roughly 168 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at CCS in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's recipients from the design and applied arts major at College for Creative Studies earn $7,551 above the typical graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from College for Creative Studies

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Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
162 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In VA
#6 Best Quality In VA

Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Virginia.

There were about 162 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the design program state that they receive average early career earnings of $26,800.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Liberty University

21
156 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In CA
#9 Best Quality In CA

California College of the Arts is a small private not-for-profit college located in the city of San Francisco. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #9 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in California.

There were approximately 156 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at California College of the Arts in the most recent year we have data available.

Those design and applied arts students who get their bachelor's degree from California College of the Arts earn $6,451 more than the average design graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from California College of the Arts

22
154 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In WI
#2 Best Quality In WI

UW - Stout is a moderately-sized public university located in the town of Menomonie. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Wisconsin.

There were roughly 154 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at UW - Stout in the most recent data year.

Those design and applied arts students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Wisconsin - Stout make $4,151 more than the average design grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from University of Wisconsin - Stout

22
154 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MA
#6 Best Quality In MA

Located in the large city of Boston, Massachusetts College of Art and Design is a public college with a small student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Massachusetts.

There were about 154 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Massachusetts College of Art and Design in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the design program state that they receive average early career earnings of $30,800.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Massachusetts College of Art and Design

24
153 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In CA
#5 Best Quality In CA

San Jose State is a fairly large public university located in the large city of San Jose. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #5 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in California.

There were about 153 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at San Jose State in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's recipients from the design and applied arts degree program at San Jose State University get $21,751 more than the typical college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from San Jose State University

25
150 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In CA
#10 Best Quality In CA

SFSU is a very large public university located in the large city of San Francisco.

There were about 150 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at SFSU in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's recipients from the design and applied arts major at San Francisco State University get $5,651 above the average college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from San Francisco State University

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Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA
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QC crest
Queens College
Queens, NY
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Remaining Award Winners

This list shows the rest of the schools awarded a Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 637 different United States design and applied arts schools we analyzed.

RankCollegeLocation
49Milwaukee Institute of Art & DesignMilwaukee, WI
51California State Polytechnic University - PomonaPomona, CA
52Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ
53Otis College of Art and DesignLos Angeles, CA
54Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI
55DePaul UniversityChicago, IL
56Portland State UniversityPortland, OR
57Clemson UniversityClemson, SC
58Indiana University - BloomingtonBloomington, IN
59University of KansasLawrence, KS
59University of California - Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CA
61Laguna College of Art and DesignLaguna Beach, CA
62Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids, MI
63SUNY OneontaOneonta, NY
63The University of the ArtsPhiladelphia, PA
65North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh, NC
66Miami University - OxfordOxford, OH
67Champlain CollegeBurlington, VT
67Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
67University of Illinois at ChicagoChicago, IL
70Lesley UniversityCambridge, MA
71Western Washington UniversityBellingham, WA
72West Virginia UniversityMorgantown, WV
73California State University - SacramentoSacramento, CA
74The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX
75Belmont UniversityNashville, TN
75Virginia TechBlacksburg, VA
75Cleveland Institute of ArtCleveland, OH
78Wentworth Institute of TechnologyBoston, MA
79Oklahoma State University - Main CampusStillwater, OK
79Oakland UniversityRochester Hills, MI
81Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant, MI
81Minneapolis College of Art and DesignMinneapolis, MN
83Bowling Green State University - Main CampusBowling Green, OH
84University of FloridaGainesville, FL
84Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
86Washington University in St LouisSaint Louis, MO
86Kutztown University of PennsylvaniaKutztown, PA
88California State University - FresnoFresno, CA
88University of BridgeportBridgeport, CT
90Fitchburg State UniversityFitchburg, MA
90University of Minnesota - DuluthDuluth, MN
92FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA
92Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA
94Independence UniversitySalt Lake City, UT
95Marymount UniversityArlington, VA
95Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro, GA
95Universidad del TuraboGurabo, PR
95California State University - Monterey BaySeaside, CA
95Maryville University of Saint LouisSaint Louis, MO

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Design & Applied Arts students that almost earned our Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts award.

RankCollegeLocation
100Metropolitan State University of DenverDenver, CO
100Farmingdale State CollegeFarmingdale, NY
100University of Oklahoma Norman CampusNorman, OK
103University of Washington - Seattle CampusSeattle, WA
103Clark Atlanta UniversityAtlanta, GA
103The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL
103Maine College of ArtPortland, ME
103University of California - Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA
108Ohio State University - Main CampusColumbus, OH
108Berkeley College - Woodland ParkWoodland Park, NJ
110University of Massachusetts - DartmouthNorth Dartmouth, MA
110Purdue University - Main CampusWest Lafayette, IN
110University of HartfordWest Hartford, CT
110The Art Institute of AtlantaAtlanta, GA
110Pennsylvania College of Art and DesignLancaster, PA
115Georgia Institute of Technology - Main CampusAtlanta, GA
115Flagler College - St AugustineSaint Augustine, FL
115Coastal Carolina UniversityConway, SC
115University of ArkansasFayetteville, AR
119University of Notre DameNotre Dame, IN
120High Point UniversityHigh Point, NC
120University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA
120University of Central MissouriWarrensburg, MO
120University of Nevada - Las VegasLas Vegas, NV
120Oklahoma Christian UniversityEdmond, OK
125Moore College of Art and DesignPhiladelphia, PA
125University of OregonEugene, OR
125Marist CollegePoughkeepsie, NY

Design & Applied Arts by Region

View the Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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Design & Applied Arts is one of 10 different types of Visual & Performing Arts programs to choose from.

Design Concentrations

MajorAnnual Graduates
Graphic Design5,098
Interior Design2,907
Visual Communications2,861
Illustration2,067
Fashion Design2,009
Industrial Design1,584
Game & Interactive Media Design1,330
Commercial & Advertising Art911
Other Design & Applied Arts766
Commercial Photography150

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Fine & Studio Arts25,775
Music15,839
Drama & Theater Arts13,307
Film, Video & Photographic Arts11,965
General Visual & Performing Arts3,699
Arts & Media Management3,298
Dance2,817
Other Visual Art529
Crafts, Folk Art & Artisanry76
Community/Environmental/Socially-Engaged Art3

Notes and References

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