2026 Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania
Design & Applied Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 64 schools to find the best for design & applied arts students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Design & Applied Arts in Pennsylvania
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the design & applied arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Design & Applied Arts
Leading the list is Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, our #1 school for design & applied arts. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. About 26 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
A rank of #2 makes Lehigh University one of the top schools for design & applied arts. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bethlehem. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Lehigh University awarded about 14 design & applied arts degrees 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. Typical student debt for the program is $23,008.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Lehigh University
Students looking for a strong design & applied arts program will find one at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $99,682 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155.
Get the full design & applied arts details for University Of Pennsylvania
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 44 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University 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.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at Carnegie Mellon University
Students looking for a strong design & applied arts program will find one at Drexel University, which ranked #5. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. Drexel University awarded about 116 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Drexel University earn around $38,154 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Drexel University
Temple University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Temple University graduates 75% of students within six years. About 15 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Temple University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $43,530. Typical student debt for the program is $26,875.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Temple University
Thomas Jefferson University came in at #7 for design & applied arts this year. Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 42 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Thomas Jefferson University in the most recent data 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.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Thomas Jefferson University
Pennsylvania Western University placed #8 among the best design & applied arts schools. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania Western University awarded about 19 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at Pennsylvania Western University
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Kutztown. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 55 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $40,286. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #10 spot for design & applied arts this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 54 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $34,981 in their early career. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Pennsylvania College Of Technology landed the #11 spot for design & applied arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Williamsport. Pennsylvania College Of Technology graduates 45% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania College Of Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $45,572 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at Pennsylvania College Of Technology
Delaware County Community College placed #12 among the best design & applied arts schools. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. Delaware County Community College awarded about 15 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $40,102 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,866.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Delaware County Community College
Mercyhurst College placed #13 among the best design & applied arts schools. Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. Mercyhurst College graduates 64% of students within six years. About 23 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Mercyhurst College in the most recent year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Mercyhurst College earn a median of $28,267 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Mercyhurst College
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earned the #14 position for design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Millersville University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $47,049 early in their careers. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $26,486 in student loans.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at Millersville University Of Pennsylvania
Lehigh Carbon Community College earned the #15 position for design & applied arts this year. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Lehigh Carbon Community College awarded about 27 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $27,896 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,450 to complete this degree.
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Northampton County Area Community College came in at #16 for design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. About 27 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Northampton County Area Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Northampton County Area Community College earn around $19,022 in the first couple years of their career. Northampton County Area Community College graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans.
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Marywood University came in at #17 for design & applied arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Scranton. Marywood University graduates 72% of students within six years. Marywood University awarded about 24 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $25,727 in their early career. Marywood University graduates carry a median of $27,362 in student loans.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at Marywood University
Point Park University came in at #18 for design & applied arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Point Park University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Point Park University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Point Park University generally make around $40,759. Point Park University graduates carry a median of $28,323 in student loans.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Point Park University
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public university. About 36 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $41,382. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg
Robert Morris University landed the #20 spot for design & applied arts this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Moon Township. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Robert Morris University awarded about 10 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $29,488 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at Robert Morris University
Bucks County Community College landed the #21 spot for design & applied arts this year. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. About 21 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Bucks County Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $37,711 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,068.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Bucks County Community College
Harcum College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Harcum College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. Harcum College awarded about 11 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $40,238 in their early career. Harcum College graduates carry a median of $26,756 in student loans.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at Harcum College
Community College Of Allegheny County came in at #23 for design & applied arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. There were roughly 25 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Community College Of Allegheny County in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $47,420 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete this degree.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at Community College Of Allegheny County
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology placed #24 among the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. There were roughly 12 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $35,098 early in their careers. Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology graduates carry a median of $28,375 in student loans.
Get the full design & applied arts details for Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology
Albright College landed the #25 spot for design & applied arts this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Reading. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. There were roughly 30 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Albright College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $29,793 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Albright College
Rest of the Top 28 Design & Applied Arts Schools
These schools also placed among the best for design & applied arts this year:
More Design & Applied Arts Rankings
View All Design & Applied Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 64 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.
