2027 Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Southeast Region
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.
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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
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
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.
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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
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
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
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.
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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
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
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.
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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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
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.
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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
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.
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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
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.
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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:
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More Design & Applied Arts Rankings
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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.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.