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2027 Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Southeast Region

143 Colleges in the United States
8,404 Design & Applied Arts Degrees Awarded
$39,193 Avg Early-Career Salary

Design & Applied Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 143 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for design & applied arts students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Design & Applied Arts in the Southeast Region

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

Top Schools in Design & Applied Arts

1

North Carolina State University At Raleigh tops our 2027 ranking of the best design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 86 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $48,940 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. See the full design & applied arts program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

2
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 80 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from University Of Florida earn around $43,144 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $19,839 in student loans. Get the full design & applied arts details for University Of Florida

3

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 75 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $46,761 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,802. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

4
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Clemson. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. Clemson University awarded about 104 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $46,689 in their early career. Clemson University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full design & applied arts program report for Clemson University

5

Students looking for a strong design & applied arts program will find one at Tulane University Of Louisiana, which ranked #5. Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 41 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $53,507 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,077. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Tulane University Of Louisiana

6

University Of Central Florida landed the #6 spot for design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. There were roughly 16 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from University Of Central Florida earn around $51,790 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,620. Get the full design & applied arts details for University Of Central Florida

7
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University landed the #7 spot for design & applied arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 150 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Auburn University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $46,585. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Auburn University

8

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 30 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from University Of South Florida Main Campus earn around $38,938 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500. Read more about the design & applied arts program at University Of South Florida Main Campus

9
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University earned the #9 position for design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 56 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at High Point University in the most recent year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of High Point University earn a median of $113,352 early in their careers. High Point University graduates carry a median of $23,785 in student loans. Get the full design & applied arts details for High Point University

10
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas earned the #10 position for design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. University Of Arkansas graduates 70% of students within six years. About 39 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at University Of Arkansas in the most recent year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $41,782 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,881. Read more about the design & applied arts program at University Of Arkansas

11
Furman University crest
Furman University
Greenville, SC

Furman University landed the #11 spot for design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Greenville, Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Furman University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $36,520 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,764 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Furman University

12
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #12 for design & applied arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 39 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $49,144 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250. See the full design & applied arts program report for Florida State University

13

The University Of Alabama came in at #13 for design & applied arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The University Of Alabama graduates 73% of students within six years. The University Of Alabama awarded about 75 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from The University Of Alabama earn around $44,215 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $26,505 in student loans. See the full design & applied arts program report for The University Of Alabama

14

West Virginia University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. West Virginia University graduates 64% of students within six years. West Virginia University awarded about 73 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $39,847 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from West Virginia University

15
Samford University crest
Samford University
Birmingham, AL

Samford University earned the #15 position for design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Samford University awarded about 34 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $41,323 in their early career. Samford University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Samford University

16

Appalachian State University came in at #16 for design & applied arts this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 102 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $34,722 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Appalachian State University

17

Palm Beach State College landed the #17 spot for design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public university. About 15 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Palm Beach State College in the most recent year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Palm Beach State College earn around $36,768 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,518. See the full design & applied arts program report for Palm Beach State College

18
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami came in at #18 for design & applied arts this year. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. University Of Miami awarded about 27 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $57,234 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,750. Get the full design & applied arts details for University Of Miami

19

East Carolina University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Greenville. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 24 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at East Carolina University in the most recent year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from East Carolina University earn around $39,992 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the design & applied arts program at East Carolina University

20

Tennessee Technological University landed the #20 spot for design & applied arts this year. This large public university is located in the town of Cookeville. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Tennessee Technological University awarded about 28 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $46,981 in their early career. Tennessee Technological University graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. Get the full design & applied arts details for Tennessee Technological University

21

The University Of Tennessee earned the #21 position for design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 15 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from The University Of Tennessee earn around $36,061 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,859. See the full design & applied arts program report for The University Of Tennessee

22

Mercer University placed #22 among the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 11 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Mercer University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Mercer University generally make around $56,699. Students borrow a median of $32,463 to complete this degree. Get the full design & applied arts details for Mercer University

23

University Of Kentucky ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lexington. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 40 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at University Of Kentucky in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $42,168. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from University Of Kentucky

24
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University earned the #24 position for design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 64 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Belmont University in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $28,702 early in their careers. Belmont University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full design & applied arts details for Belmont University

25

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #25 for design & applied arts this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 40 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn around $51,799 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. See the full design & applied arts program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

Rest of the Top 50 Design & Applied Arts Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong design & applied arts education:

26
27
28
29
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN
30
Meredith College crest
Meredith College
Raleigh, NC
31
32
33
34
35
36
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
37
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
Gwinnett Technical College crest
Gwinnett Technical College
Lawrenceville, GA
48
Marymount University crest
Marymount University
Arlington, VA
49
50
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

View All Design & Applied Arts Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 143 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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