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2027 Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania

29 Colleges in the United States
917 Design & Applied Arts Degrees Awarded
$42,250 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best design & applied arts schools.

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

1
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Our analysis ranked Lehigh University the best school in the country for a degree in design & applied arts. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. 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. Get the full design & applied arts details for Lehigh University

2
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. About 22 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from University Of Pennsylvania

3

Carnegie Mellon University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #3 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 39 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $93,581 in their early career. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Get the full design & applied arts details for Carnegie Mellon University

4

A rank of #4 makes Pennsylvania State University Main Campus one of the top schools for design & applied arts. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 41 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn around $43,324 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full design & applied arts program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

5
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. There were roughly 150 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Drexel University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $38,154 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 Drexel University

6

Thomas Jefferson University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Thomas Jefferson University graduates 69% of students within six years. Thomas Jefferson University awarded about 44 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University generally make around $36,433. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full design & applied arts program report for Thomas Jefferson University

7

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #7 among the best design & applied arts schools. Set in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 11 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $46,912 early in their careers. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $26,307 in student loans. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania

8

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned the #8 position for design & applied arts this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania graduates 54% of students within six years. About 64 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $40,286 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania

9
Susquehanna University crest
Susquehanna University
Selinsgrove, PA

Susquehanna University landed the #9 spot for design & applied arts this year. Located in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Susquehanna University in the most recent year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Susquehanna University earn around $42,510 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Susquehanna University

10
Juniata College crest
Juniata College
Huntingdon, PA

Juniata College earned the #10 position for design & applied arts this year. Set in the town of Huntingdon, Juniata College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Juniata College graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Juniata College in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Juniata College earn a median of $30,552 early in their careers. Juniata College graduates carry a median of $26,976 in student loans. Get the full design & applied arts details for Juniata College

11

Delaware County Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 18 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Delaware County Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $40,102. Typical student debt for the program is $14,866. Get the full design & applied arts details for Delaware County Community College

12

York College Pennsylvania came in at #12 for design & applied arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of York. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. York College Pennsylvania awarded about 17 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $30,567. Students borrow a median of $26,537 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from York College Pennsylvania

13

Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. This large public university is located in the town of Indiana. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn around $34,981 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus

14
La Roche College crest
La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA

La Roche College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the suburb of Pittsburgh, La Roche College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 12 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at La Roche College in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $54,268 in their early career. La Roche College graduates carry a median of $27,078 in student loans. See the full design & applied arts program report for La Roche College

15

Pennsylvania College Of Technology ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Williamsport. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. There were roughly 20 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. Get the full design & applied arts details for Pennsylvania College Of Technology

16

Millersville University Of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot for design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 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. Typical student debt for the program is $26,486. Get the full design & applied arts details for Millersville University Of Pennsylvania

17

Northampton County Area Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Bethlehem. There were roughly 34 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Northampton County Area Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $19,022. Typical student debt for the program is $15,250. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Northampton County Area Community College

18

Mercyhurst College came in at #18 for design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Mercyhurst College graduates 64% of students within six years. About 12 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Mercyhurst College in the most recent year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Mercyhurst College earn around $28,267 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 Mercyhurst College

19

Lehigh Carbon Community College landed the #19 spot for design & applied arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Schnecksville. There were roughly 30 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Lehigh Carbon Community College 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. Lehigh Carbon Community College graduates carry a median of $14,450 in student loans. See the full design & applied arts program report for Lehigh Carbon Community College

20
Marywood University crest
Marywood University
Scranton, PA

Marywood University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. About 72% of students finish within six years. Marywood University awarded about 27 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. Students borrow a median of $27,362 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Marywood University

21

Pennsylvania Western University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. This large public university is located in the town of California. About 52% of students finish within six years. Pennsylvania Western University awarded about 22 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Pennsylvania Western University earn around $45,448 in the first couple years of their career. Pennsylvania Western University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full design & applied arts program report for Pennsylvania Western University

22

Moore College Of Art And Design earned the #22 position for design & applied arts this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. There were roughly 61 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Moore College Of Art And Design in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Moore College Of Art And Design generally make around $20,587. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Moore College Of Art And Design

23

Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology earned the #23 position for design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 34% of students finish within six years. About 22 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $35,098 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,375 to complete this degree. Get the full design & applied arts details for Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology

24

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #24 for design & applied arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisburg. About 33 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. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg

25
Albright College crest
Albright College
Reading, PA

Albright College placed #25 among the best design & applied arts schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Reading. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 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. Albright College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full design & applied arts details for Albright College

Rest of the Top 29 Design & Applied Arts Schools

These schools also placed among the best for design & applied arts this year:

26
27
28
Arcadia University crest
Arcadia University
Glenside, PA
29

View All Design & Applied Arts Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 29 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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