Design & Applied Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 661 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best design & applied arts schools.
The school you choose for design & applied arts can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Design & Applied Arts rankings. For our Best Overall Design & Applied Arts School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Design & Applied Arts Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is San Jose State University, our #1 school for design & applied arts. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 233 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from San Jose State University
Students looking for a strong design & applied arts program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #2. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 140 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $49,780 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,875.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 42 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $63,449 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
A rank of #4 makes Chapman University one of the top schools for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Chapman University earn around $46,519 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Chapman University
A rank of #5 makes California State University Fullerton one of the top schools for design & applied arts. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 80 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $54,471 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete this degree.
See the full design & applied arts program report for California State University Fullerton
Lehigh University earned the #6 position for design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Lehigh University in the most recent year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $70,321 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,008.
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North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. About 86 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $48,940 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of Southern California came in at #8 for design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 85 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from University Of Southern California earn around $64,846 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $18,262 in student loans.
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University Of Florida placed #9 among the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 80 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $43,144. Typical student debt for the program is $19,839.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from University Of Florida
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 127 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $44,506 in their early career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans.
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University Of Notre Dame landed the #11 spot for design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 20 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $46,825 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,250.
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Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 75 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $46,761 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,802 to complete this degree.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 110 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $44,602. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Purdue University Main Campus
Worcester Polytechnic Institute landed the #14 spot for design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 30 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $91,834 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete this degree.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Washington University In St Louis earned the #15 position for design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 80 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $33,615 in the first couple years of their career. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $19,089 in student loans.
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Boston University landed the #16 spot for design & applied arts this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. About 72 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Boston University earn a median of $49,254 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,250.
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University Of California Davis earned the #17 position for design & applied arts this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California Davis awarded about 277 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from University Of California Davis earn around $32,816 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
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Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 51 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,176 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,100.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #19 for design & applied arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Amherst. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 10 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,666. Typical student debt for the program is $25,195.
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University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #20 for design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 157 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $42,462 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000.
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University Of California Los Angeles earned the #21 position for design & applied arts this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 62 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $57,615 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of Dayton ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. University Of Dayton awarded about 29 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from University Of Dayton earn around $43,609 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Dayton graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans.
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Southern Methodist University placed #23 among the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 20 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $70,632 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete this degree.
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University Of Pennsylvania came in at #24 for design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $99,682 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155.
See the full design & applied arts program report for University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #25 among the best design & applied arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 142 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $52,526 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,851 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 50 Design & Applied Arts Schools
These schools also placed among the best for design & applied arts this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 661 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
