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2027 Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the New England Region

39 Colleges in the United States
2,410 Design & Applied Arts Degrees Awarded
$41,130 Avg Early-Career Salary

Design & Applied Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools to find the best for design & applied arts students.

What’s on this page:

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

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall design & applied arts education in the New England Region.

Top Schools in Design & Applied Arts

1

No school ranked higher than Worcester Polytechnic Institute this year for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates 90% of students within six years. Worcester Polytechnic Institute awarded about 30 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $91,834 early in their careers. Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

2
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Students looking for a strong design & applied arts program will find one at Boston University, which ranked #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. About 89% of students finish within six years. Boston University awarded about 72 design & applied arts degrees 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. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Boston University

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Massachusetts Amherst one of the top schools for design & applied arts. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $53,666 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,195. See the full design & applied arts program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst

4

Northeastern University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 90% of students finish within six years. Northeastern University awarded about 71 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data 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. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Northeastern University

5

Wentworth Institute Of Technology is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in design & applied arts, ranking #5. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Wentworth Institute Of Technology graduates 68% of students within six years. About 51 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Wentworth Institute Of Technology in the most recent 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. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Wentworth Institute Of Technology

6

University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #6 spot for design & applied arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Lowell. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Lowell in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $41,020 early in their careers. University Of Massachusetts Lowell graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. See the full design & applied arts program report for University Of Massachusetts Lowell

7

Quinnipiac University earned the #7 position for design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Quinnipiac University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Quinnipiac University in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Quinnipiac University earn a median of $35,884 early in their careers. Quinnipiac University graduates carry a median of $26,976 in student loans. See the full design & applied arts program report for Quinnipiac University

8

Rhode Island School Of Design ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Providence, Rhode Island School Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 131 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Rhode Island School Of Design in the most recent 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. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Rhode Island School Of Design

9
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University landed the #9 spot for design & applied arts this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. About 96% of students finish within six years. Yale University awarded about 18 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $74,578 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357. See the full design & applied arts program report for Yale University

10

Middlesex Community College Bedford came in at #10 for design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. Middlesex Community College Bedford awarded about 19 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. Students borrow a median of $12,755 to complete this degree. See the full design & applied arts program report for Middlesex Community College Bedford

11

Roger Williams University came in at #11 for design & applied arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Bristol. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Roger Williams University in the most recent year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Roger Williams University earn around $48,664 in the first couple years of their 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 crest
Champlain College
Burlington, VT

Champlain College placed #12 among the best design & applied arts schools. Champlain College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Burlington. Champlain College graduates 65% of students within six years. Champlain College awarded about 61 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Champlain College generally make around $38,264. Champlain College graduates carry a median of $26,885 in student loans. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Champlain College

13

Suffolk University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 61% of students finish within six years. Suffolk University awarded about 30 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Suffolk University earn a median of $47,415 early in their careers. Suffolk University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Suffolk University

14

Wheaton College Massachusetts landed the #14 spot for design & applied arts this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Norton. Wheaton College Massachusetts graduates 73% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Massachusetts in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Wheaton College Massachusetts earn a median of $32,920 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,117 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Wheaton College Massachusetts

15

Central Connecticut State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. About 38 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Central Connecticut State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Central Connecticut State University earn around $34,930 in the first couple years of their career. Central Connecticut State University graduates carry a median of $22,641 in student loans. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Central Connecticut State University

16

Massachusetts College Of Art And Design came in at #16 for design & applied arts this year. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design awarded about 162 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Massachusetts College Of Art And Design generally make around $24,706. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Massachusetts College Of Art And Design

17

Keene State College came in at #17 for design & applied arts this year. Located in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public university. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Keene State College in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Keene State College earn a median of $34,947 early in their careers. Keene State College graduates carry a median of $25,371 in student loans. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Keene State College

18

New England Institute Of Technology landed the #18 spot for design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of East Greenwich, New England Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 72 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at New England Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of New England Institute Of Technology earn a median of $26,833 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,584 to complete this degree. Read more about the design & applied arts program at New England Institute Of Technology

19
Lesley University crest
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA

Lesley University landed the #19 spot for design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 48 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Lesley University in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $25,227 in their early career. Lesley University graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Lesley University

20

Emmanuel College Massachusetts earned the #20 position for design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Boston, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Emmanuel College Massachusetts graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Emmanuel College Massachusetts in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Emmanuel College Massachusetts generally make around $32,413. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Emmanuel College Massachusetts

21

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth landed the #21 spot for design & applied arts this year. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 36 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $29,660. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full design & applied arts program report for University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth

22

Fitchburg State University placed #22 among the best design & applied arts schools. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Fitchburg State University awarded about 36 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $29,191 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full design & applied arts details for Fitchburg State University

23
University Of Hartford crest
University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

University Of Hartford landed the #23 spot 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. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. University Of Hartford awarded about 43 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from University Of Hartford earn around $29,515 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 University Of Hartford

24

Salem State University placed #24 among the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Salem State University graduates 50% of students within six years. About 14 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Salem State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $49,656 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,176 to complete this degree. Get the full design & applied arts details for Salem State University

25
Assumption College crest
Assumption College
Worcester, MA

Assumption College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Assumption College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 10 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Assumption College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Assumption College earn around $28,032 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,995. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Assumption College

Rest of the Top 39 Design & Applied Arts Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s design & applied arts ranking:

26
Rhode Island College crest
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI
27
Husson University crest
Husson University
Bangor, ME
28
29
30
31
32
University Of New Haven crest
University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT
33
34
Lasell College crest
Lasell College
Newton, MA
35
Maine College Of Art crest
Maine College Of Art
Portland, ME
36
37
38
New England College crest
New England College
Henniker, NH
39

View All Design & Applied Arts Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 39 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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