2026 Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Michigan

1

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University tops our 2026 ranking of the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Western Michigan University awarded about 57 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Western Michigan University earn around $39,077 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full design & applied arts details for Western Michigan University

2

Lawrence Technological University
Southfield, MI

Lawrence Technological University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Southfield. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 23 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Lawrence Technological University in the most recent year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Lawrence Technological University earn a median of $74,924 early in their careers. Lawrence Technological University graduates carry a median of $27,799 in student loans. Get the full design & applied arts details for Lawrence Technological University

3

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 135 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $36,784 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,175 to complete this degree. See the full design & applied arts program report for Michigan State University

4

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. About 59% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 53 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Central Michigan University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $36,917. Central Michigan University graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Central Michigan University

5

College For Creative Studies
Detroit, MI

College For Creative Studies is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in design & applied arts, ranking #5. Set in the city of Detroit, College For Creative Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 97 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at College For Creative Studies in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of College For Creative Studies earn a median of $32,665 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full design & applied arts details for College For Creative Studies

6

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University placed #6 among the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 49 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Michigan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $38,443 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete this degree. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Eastern Michigan University

7

Adrian College
Adrian, MI

Adrian College landed the #7 spot for design & applied arts this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Adrian. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. Adrian College awarded about 19 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Adrian College earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. Adrian College graduates carry a median of $28,071 in student loans. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Adrian College

8

Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, MI

Cornerstone University came in at #8 for design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 10 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Cornerstone University in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $44,501 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,243 to complete this degree. See the full design & applied arts program report for Cornerstone University

9

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University earned the #9 position for design & applied arts this year. This large public university is located in the town of Big Rapids. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Ferris State University awarded about 87 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Ferris State University earn around $34,045 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full design & applied arts details for Ferris State University

10

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University earned the #10 position for design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Saginaw Valley State University in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $27,577 early in their careers. Saginaw Valley State University graduates carry a median of $26,125 in student loans. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Saginaw Valley State University

11

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University landed the #11 spot for design & applied arts this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 81 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Oakland University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $30,687. Typical student debt for the program is $27,954. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Oakland University

12

Jackson Community College
Jackson, MI

Jackson Community College earned the #12 position for design & applied arts this year. Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Jackson. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 39 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Jackson Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Jackson Community College earn around $41,322 in the first couple years of their career. Jackson Community College graduates carry a median of $16,960 in student loans. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Jackson Community College

13

Muskegon Community College
Muskegon, MI

Muskegon Community College earned the #13 position for design & applied arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Muskegon. About 16 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Muskegon Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Muskegon Community College generally make around $48,267. Students borrow a median of $14,928 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Muskegon Community College

14

St Clair County Community College
Port Huron, MI

St Clair County Community College placed #14 among the best design & applied arts schools. Set in the suburb of Port Huron, St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. St Clair County Community College awarded about 15 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from St Clair County Community College earn around $45,735 in the first couple years of their career. St Clair County Community College graduates carry a median of $16,379 in student loans. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from St Clair County Community College

15

Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo Valley Community College placed #15 among the best design & applied arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. About 11 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn around $44,198 in the first couple years of their career. Kalamazoo Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. See the full design & applied arts program report for Kalamazoo Valley Community College

16

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

Henry Ford Community College landed the #16 spot for design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Henry Ford Community College awarded about 13 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $19,911. Typical student debt for the program is $19,075. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Henry Ford Community College