2027 Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 103 schools to find the best for design & applied arts students.
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Best Schools for Design & Applied Arts in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall design & applied arts education in the Middle Atlantic Region.
Top Schools in Design & Applied Arts
Leading the list is Lehigh University, our #1 school for design & applied arts. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 27 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Lehigh University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Lehigh University earn around $70,321 in the first couple years of their career. Lehigh University graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at Lehigh University
Students looking for a strong design & applied arts program will find one at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $99,682 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree.
Get the full design & applied arts details for University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Delaware came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 64 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at University Of Delaware in the most recent year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from University Of Delaware earn around $42,585 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at University Of Delaware
A rank of #4 makes Rowan University one of the top schools for design & applied arts. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Rowan University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $52,031. Rowan University graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Rowan University
A rank of #5 makes American University one of the top schools for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. American University awarded about 27 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of American University earn a median of $54,585 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,139.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at American University
Syracuse University came in at #6 for design & applied arts this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Syracuse. About 84% of students finish within six years. Syracuse University awarded about 124 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Syracuse University earn around $46,181 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 Syracuse University
County College Of Morris landed the #7 spot for design & applied arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Randolph. County College Of Morris awarded about 17 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $30,966 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,420.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from County College Of Morris
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #8 spot for design & applied arts this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 39 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $93,581. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete this degree.
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Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 41 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $43,324 early in their careers. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Drexel University came in at #10 for design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 150 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Drexel University in the most recent year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $38,154 early in their careers. Drexel University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Drexel University
George Washington University placed #11 among the best design & applied arts schools. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 44 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from George Washington University earn around $54,222 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,910.
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Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #12 position for design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 42 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $32,397 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at Rutgers University New Brunswick
Fashion Institute Of Technology placed #13 among the best design & applied arts schools. Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New York. About 1,424 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Fashion Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $20,692 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Fashion Institute Of Technology
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earned the #14 position for design & applied arts this year. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Troy. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute awarded about 46 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $36,191 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Pratt Institute Main placed #15 among the best design & applied arts schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Brooklyn. Pratt Institute Main graduates 74% of students within six years. Pratt Institute Main awarded about 333 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Pratt Institute Main earn a median of $40,880 early in their careers. Pratt Institute Main graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Pratt Institute Main
Marist College earned the #16 position for design & applied arts this year. Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 49 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Marist College in the most recent year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Marist College earn around $28,336 in the first couple years of their career. Marist College graduates carry a median of $26,929 in student loans.
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New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #17 for design & applied arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Newark. About 73% of students finish within six years. About 25 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at New Jersey Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $38,975 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full design & applied arts program report for New Jersey Institute Of Technology
Rochester Institute Of Technology ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 176 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Rochester Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $34,709 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Rochester Institute Of Technology
Suny College At Oneonta landed the #19 spot for design & applied arts this year. Located in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Suny College At Oneonta awarded about 37 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Suny College At Oneonta generally make around $36,629. Students borrow a median of $22,046 to complete this degree.
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Thomas Jefferson University landed the #20 spot for design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 44 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Thomas Jefferson University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University generally make around $36,433. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #21 spot for design & applied arts this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. State University Of New York At New Paltz awarded about 31 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $34,677 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,879 to complete this degree.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at State University Of New York At New Paltz
Bergen Community College placed #22 among the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the suburb of Paramus, Bergen Community College is a large public university. About 45 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Bergen Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Bergen Community College earn around $51,280 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,720.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Bergen Community College
Seton Hall University placed #23 among the best design & applied arts schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of South Orange. Seton Hall University graduates 70% of students within six years. About 15 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Seton Hall University in the most recent year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $63,871 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at Seton Hall University
The New School earned the #24 position for design & applied arts this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 789 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at The New School in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $36,279 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,606 to complete this degree.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at The New School
Montclair State University earned the #25 position for design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Montclair State University graduates 65% of students within six years. About 77 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Montclair State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Montclair State University earn around $26,027 in the first couple years of their career. Montclair State University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Montclair State University
Rest of the Top 50 Design & Applied Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s design & applied arts ranking:
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Notes and References
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 · 103 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
