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2023 Most Popular Colleges for Design & Applied Arts in North Carolina

51 Ranked Colleges
2,174 Degrees Awarded
$25,800 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina

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 in North Carolina” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 36,301 people earned their degree in design and applied arts, making the major the 36th most popular in the United States. 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.

Across North Carolina, there were 2,174 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,342 and $22,204 respectively.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina” ranking analyzed 51 colleges that offered a degree in design and applied arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have one of the most popular design and applied arts programs in the United States.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Design & Applied Arts Schools

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina

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

1
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Out of the 51 schools in the Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, Appalachian State University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Boone, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 167 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Appalachian State

2
Wake Technical Community College crest
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wake Technical Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina list. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 757 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Wake Technical Community College

3
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

Out of the 51 schools in the Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, North Carolina State University landed the #3 spot on the list. North Carolina State University is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 82 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at NC State

4
Central Piedmont Community College crest
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Central Piedmont Community College. The school came in at #4 for the Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina. Central Piedmont Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Charlotte, North Carolina. It awarded 180 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Central Piedmont Community College

5
High Point crest
High Point University
High Point, North Carolina

Out of the 51 schools in the Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, High Point University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in High Point, North Carolina, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 46 degrees to qualified ’s design students 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 High Point University Design & Applied Arts Report

6

University of North Carolina at Greensboro did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #6. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a public institution located in Greensboro, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 42 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

7
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Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina ranking. FTCC is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 110 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at FTCC

8
Meredith crest
Meredith College
Raleigh, North Carolina

With a ranking of #8, Meredith College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina list. Meredith is a small school located in Raleigh, North Carolina that handed out 30 ’s design degrees 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%. 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 Meredith College

9
Guilford Technical Community College crest
Guilford Technical Community College
Jamestown, North Carolina

Guilford Technical Community College landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina ranking. Guilford Technical Community College is located in Jamestown, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 52 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Guilford Technical Community College

10
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East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #10. East Carolina University is a large public school situated in Greenville, North Carolina. It awarded 24 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at ECU

10
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina ranking. WCU is a public institution located in Cullowhee, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full WCU Design & Applied Arts Report

12
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William Peace University
Raleigh, North Carolina

William Peace University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina ranking. William Peace University is a small school located in Raleigh, North Carolina that handed out 23 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at WPU

13
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Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina

Queens University of Charlotte came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina ranking. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 21 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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 Queens University of Charlotte

13
Randolph Community College crest
Randolph Community College
Asheboro, North Carolina

Randolph Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina ranking. This small school is located in Asheboro, North Carolina, and it awarded 72 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Randolph Community College

13
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, North Carolina

Pitt Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina ranking. Pitt Community College is a medium-sized school located in Winterville, North Carolina that handed out 69 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Pitt Community College

16
NC A&T crest
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, North Carolina

North Carolina A & T State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina ranking. NC A&T is located in Greensboro, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at North Carolina A & T State University

17
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Catawba Valley Community College
Hickory, North Carolina

Catawba Valley Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina ranking. Located in Hickory, North Carolina, this small public school awarded 16 diplomas to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at CVCC

18
Wayne Community College crest
Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, North Carolina

Wayne Community College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #18. Wayne Community College is a small public school situated in Goldsboro, North Carolina. It awarded 74 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Wayne Community College Design & Applied Arts Report

18
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Cape Fear Community College
Wilmington, North Carolina

Cape Fear Community College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina ranking. Cape Fear Community College is located in Wilmington, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at CFCC

20
ACC crest
Alamance Community College
Graham, North Carolina

Alamance Community College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Graham, North Carolina, this small public school handed out 69 diplomas to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at ACC

21
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Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Forsyth Technical Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina ranking. Forsyth Tech is a medium-sized school located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that handed out 26 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Forsyth Technical Community College

22
Lenoir Community College crest
Lenoir Community College
Kinston, North Carolina

Lenoir Community College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #22. Kinston, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 25 students in 2020-2021.

Full Lenoir Community College Design & Applied Arts Report

22
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College crest
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, North Carolina

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #22. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is located in Salisbury, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

22
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Campbell University
Buies Creek, North Carolina

Campbell University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #22. This medium-sized school is located in Buies Creek, North Carolina, and it awarded 9 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 Campbell

25
ICC crest
Isothermal Community College
Spindale, North Carolina

Isothermal Community College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina ranking. Located in Spindale, North Carolina, this small public school awarded 26 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.

Full ICC Design & Applied Arts Report

25
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Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Elizabeth City State University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Design Major in North Carolina ranking. Located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, this small public school handed out 8 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.

Full Elizabeth City State University Design & Applied Arts Report

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Notes and References

References

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