2026 Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the New England Region

1

Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in design & applied arts. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates 90% of students within six years. Worcester Polytechnic Institute awarded about 20 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $91,834 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,259. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Worcester Polytechnic Institute

2

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 59 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Boston University earn a median of $49,254 early in their careers. Boston University graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Get the full design & applied arts details for Boston University

3

Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Students looking for a strong design & applied arts program will find one at Northeastern University, which ranked #3. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 75 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Northeastern University in the most recent year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $49,727 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete this degree. Get the full design & applied arts details for Northeastern University

4

Quinnipiac University
Hamden, CT

Students looking for a strong design & applied arts program will find one at Quinnipiac University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Quinnipiac University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Quinnipiac University generally make around $35,884. Students borrow a median of $26,976 to complete this degree. See the full design & applied arts program report for Quinnipiac University

5

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #5 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 18 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Yale University

6

Wentworth Institute Of Technology
Boston, MA

Wentworth Institute Of Technology landed the #6 spot for design & applied arts this year. Wentworth Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. About 68% of students finish within six years. Wentworth Institute Of Technology awarded about 40 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Wentworth Institute Of Technology earn around $50,599 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full design & applied arts program report for Wentworth Institute Of Technology

7

University Of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, MA

University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Lowell. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of Massachusetts Lowell awarded about 43 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $41,020. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from University Of Massachusetts Lowell

8

Rhode Island School Of Design
Providence, RI

Rhode Island School Of Design earned the #8 position for design & applied arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. About 89% of students finish within six years. Rhode Island School Of Design awarded about 116 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $29,489 in their early career. Rhode Island School Of Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full design & applied arts program report for Rhode Island School Of Design

9

Suffolk University
Boston, MA

Suffolk University landed the #9 spot for design & applied arts this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 45 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Suffolk University in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $47,415 in their early career. Suffolk University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full design & applied arts details for Suffolk University

10

Endicott College
Beverly, MA

Endicott College earned the #10 position for design & applied arts this year. Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Beverly. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Endicott College in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $39,271 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full design & applied arts details for Endicott College

11

Roger Williams University
Bristol, RI

Roger Williams University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Bristol. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 16 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Roger Williams University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $48,664 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,445 to complete this degree. See the full design & applied arts program report for Roger Williams University

12

Champlain College
Burlington, VT

Champlain College placed #12 among the best design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Burlington, Champlain College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Champlain College graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 44 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Champlain College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Champlain College generally make around $38,264. Students borrow a median of $26,885 to complete this degree. Get the full design & applied arts details for Champlain College

13

Massachusetts College Of Art And Design
Boston, MA

Massachusetts College Of Art And Design placed #13 among the best design & applied arts schools. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Boston. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design graduates 69% of students within six years. About 149 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Massachusetts College Of Art And Design in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $24,706 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500. See the full design & applied arts program report for Massachusetts College Of Art And Design

14

Keene State College
Keene, NH

Keene State College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Keene State College awarded about 19 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Keene State College earn a median of $34,947 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,371. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Keene State College

15

Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT

Central Connecticut State University placed #15 among the best design & applied arts schools. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. Central Connecticut State University awarded about 45 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $34,930. Students borrow a median of $22,641 to complete this degree. See the full design & applied arts program report for Central Connecticut State University

16

Lesley University
Cambridge, MA

Lesley University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 49 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Lesley University in the most recent year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Lesley University earn around $25,227 in the first couple years of their career. Lesley University graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Lesley University

17

New England Institute Of Technology
East Greenwich, RI

New England Institute Of Technology landed the #17 spot for design & applied arts this year. New England Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of East Greenwich. New England Institute Of Technology awarded about 69 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from New England Institute Of Technology generally make around $26,833. Typical student debt for the program is $20,584. Get the full design & applied arts details for New England Institute Of Technology

18

Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg, MA

Fitchburg State University landed the #18 spot for design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Fitchburg State University graduates 55% of students within six years. Fitchburg State University awarded about 39 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Fitchburg State University earn around $29,191 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full design & applied arts details for Fitchburg State University

19

Vermont Technical College
Randolph, VT

Vermont Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Randolph. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. There were roughly 11 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Vermont Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $41,822 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,208. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Vermont Technical College

20

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #20 among the best design & applied arts schools. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth graduates 52% of students within six years. About 47 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $29,660. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth

21

University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

University Of Hartford earned the #21 position for design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. University Of Hartford graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Hartford in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Hartford earn a median of $29,515 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the design & applied arts program at University Of Hartford

22

Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

Rhode Island College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 11 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Rhode Island College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $45,088. Students borrow a median of $23,394 to complete this degree. Get the full design & applied arts details for Rhode Island College

23

Massachusetts Bay Community College
Wellesley Hills, MA

Massachusetts Bay Community College placed #23 among the best design & applied arts schools. Set in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 17 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Massachusetts Bay Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $44,553 in their early career. Massachusetts Bay Community College graduates carry a median of $11,008 in student loans. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Massachusetts Bay Community College

24

Husson University
Bangor, ME

Husson University placed #24 among the best design & applied arts schools. Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bangor. Husson University graduates 59% of students within six years. About 16 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Husson University in the most recent year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Husson University earn a median of $52,868 early in their careers. Husson University graduates carry a median of $27,735 in student loans. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Husson University

25

Middlesex Community College Bedford
Bedford, MA

Middlesex Community College Bedford ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. Middlesex Community College Bedford awarded about 23 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $48,427 early in their careers. Middlesex Community College Bedford graduates carry a median of $12,755 in student loans. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Middlesex Community College Bedford