2026 Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Massachusetts

1

Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA

Leading the list is Worcester Polytechnic Institute, our #1 school 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. About 20 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the most recent 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. See the full design & applied arts program report for 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. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 59 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Boston University earn a median of $49,254 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Boston University

3

Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Northeastern University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #3 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. About 75 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Northeastern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $49,727. Northeastern University graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Northeastern University

4

Wentworth Institute Of Technology
Boston, MA

Students looking for a strong design & applied arts program will find one at Wentworth Institute Of Technology, which ranked #4. Wentworth Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 40 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Wentworth Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Wentworth Institute Of Technology earn a median of $50,599 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Wentworth Institute Of Technology

5

University Of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, MA

University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. University Of Massachusetts Lowell graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of Massachusetts Lowell awarded about 43 design & applied arts degrees 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. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. See the full design & applied arts program report for University Of Massachusetts Lowell

6

Suffolk University
Boston, MA

Suffolk University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Suffolk University graduates 61% of students within six years. Suffolk University awarded about 45 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Suffolk University earn around $47,415 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 Suffolk University

7

Endicott College
Beverly, MA

Endicott College earned the #7 position for design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Endicott College graduates 75% of students within six years. About 13 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Endicott College in the most recent year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Endicott College earn around $39,271 in the first couple years of their career. Endicott College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Endicott College

8

Massachusetts College Of Art And Design
Boston, MA

Massachusetts College Of Art And Design landed the #8 spot for design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public institution. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 149 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Massachusetts College Of Art And Design in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Massachusetts College Of Art And Design earn around $24,706 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. See the full design & applied arts program report for Massachusetts College Of Art And Design

9

Lesley University
Cambridge, MA

Lesley University earned the #9 position for design & applied arts this year. 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. Lesley University awarded about 49 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Lesley University earn a median of $25,227 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500. See the full design & applied arts program report for Lesley University

10

Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg, MA

Fitchburg State University landed the #10 spot for design & applied arts this year. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 39 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Fitchburg State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Fitchburg State University generally make around $29,191. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Fitchburg State University

11

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #11 position for design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth graduates 52% of students within six years. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth awarded about 47 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $29,660 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full design & applied arts program report for University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth

12

Massachusetts Bay Community College
Wellesley Hills, MA

Massachusetts Bay Community College earned the #12 position for design & applied arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills. About 17 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Massachusetts Bay Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $44,553 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,008. See the full design & applied arts program report for Massachusetts Bay Community College

13

Middlesex Community College Bedford
Bedford, MA

Middlesex Community College Bedford came in at #13 for design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. There were roughly 23 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Middlesex Community College Bedford in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $48,427. Middlesex Community College Bedford graduates carry a median of $12,755 in student loans. See the full design & applied arts program report for Middlesex Community College Bedford

14

Massasoit Community College
Brockton, MA

Massasoit Community College landed the #14 spot for design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 11 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Massasoit Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $42,938 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,894 to complete this degree. Get the full design & applied arts details for Massasoit Community College

15

Lasell College
Newton, MA

Lasell College placed #15 among the best design & applied arts schools. Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Newton. Lasell College graduates 59% of students within six years. About 27 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Lasell College in the most recent year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Lasell College earn around $29,661 in the first couple years of their career. Lasell College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full design & applied arts program report for Lasell College

16

Bristol Community College
Fall River, MA

Bristol Community College came in at #16 for design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Bristol Community College awarded about 18 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $37,897 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,482 to complete this degree. See the full design & applied arts program report for Bristol Community College

17

Bunker Hill Community College
Boston, MA

Bunker Hill Community College landed the #17 spot for design & applied arts this year. Bunker Hill Community College is a large public school located in the city of Boston. About 19 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Bunker Hill Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $51,782 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,893. See the full design & applied arts program report for Bunker Hill Community College

18

Montserrat College Of Art
Beverly, MA

Montserrat College Of Art placed #18 among the best design & applied arts schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Beverly. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 29 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Montserrat College Of Art in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $19,865 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full design & applied arts program report for Montserrat College Of Art