2026 Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Washington

1

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in design & applied arts. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 36 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $63,449 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. See the full design & applied arts program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

2

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Students looking for a strong design & applied arts program will find one at Washington State University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 55 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Washington State University in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $44,823 early in their careers. Washington State University graduates carry a median of $22,802 in student loans. Get the full design & applied arts details for Washington State University

3

Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. Western Washington University awarded about 38 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Western Washington University earn around $31,078 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. See the full design & applied arts program report for Western Washington University

4

Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Seattle University in the most recent year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Seattle University earn around $63,214 in the first couple years of their career. Seattle University graduates carry a median of $23,792 in student loans. Get the full design & applied arts details for Seattle University

5

Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA

Seattle Pacific University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #5 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Seattle. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 26 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Seattle Pacific University in the most recent year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Seattle Pacific University earn a median of $39,248 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full design & applied arts program report for Seattle Pacific University

6

Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA

Eastern Washington University earned the #6 position for design & applied arts this year. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Eastern Washington University awarded about 13 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $47,144. Students borrow a median of $21,754 to complete this degree. Get the full design & applied arts details for Eastern Washington University

7

Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA

Bellevue College came in at #7 for design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Bellevue, Bellevue College is a large public institution. Bellevue College awarded about 51 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Bellevue College earn a median of $45,947 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $33,660. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Bellevue College

8

Shoreline Community College
Shoreline, WA

Shoreline Community College landed the #8 spot for design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Shoreline Community College awarded about 40 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Shoreline Community College earn a median of $62,009 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,700. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Shoreline Community College

9

Lake Washington Institute Of Technology
Kirkland, WA

Lake Washington Institute Of Technology landed the #9 spot for design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology awarded about 18 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $60,000. Typical student debt for the program is $19,695. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology

10

Seattle Community College Central Campus
Seattle, WA

Seattle Community College Central Campus came in at #10 for design & applied arts this year. Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. There were roughly 70 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Community College Central Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Seattle Community College Central Campus earn around $29,775 in the first couple years of their career. Seattle Community College Central Campus graduates carry a median of $14,085 in student loans. Get the full design & applied arts details for Seattle Community College Central Campus

11

Highline Community College
Des Moines, WA

Highline Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Set in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 28 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Highline Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Highline Community College generally make around $55,459. Highline Community College graduates carry a median of $8,958 in student loans. See the full design & applied arts program report for Highline Community College

12

Spokane Falls Community College
Spokane, WA

Spokane Falls Community College earned the #12 position for design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 37 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Spokane Falls Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Spokane Falls Community College generally make around $21,508. Typical student debt for the program is $14,657. Get the full design & applied arts details for Spokane Falls Community College

13

Clover Park Technical College
Lakewood, WA

Clover Park Technical College landed the #13 spot for design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. About 32 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Clover Park Technical College in the most recent year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Clover Park Technical College earn a median of $42,209 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,154 to complete this degree. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Clover Park Technical College

14

Walla Walla University
College Place, WA

Walla Walla University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Walla Walla University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of College Place. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Walla Walla University awarded about 14 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Walla Walla University generally make around $28,436. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree. Get the full design & applied arts details for Walla Walla University

15

Northwest College Of Art And Design
Tacoma, WA

Northwest College Of Art And Design came in at #15 for design & applied arts this year. Northwest College Of Art And Design is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Tacoma. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 25 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Northwest College Of Art And Design in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $27,694 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete this degree. See the full design & applied arts program report for Northwest College Of Art And Design

16

Cornish College Of The Arts
Seattle, WA

Cornish College Of The Arts landed the #16 spot for design & applied arts this year. Cornish College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Cornish College Of The Arts in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Cornish College Of The Arts earn around $20,344 in the first couple years of their career. Cornish College Of The Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Cornish College Of The Arts