College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Kentucky

7 Colleges in the United States
151 Design & Applied Arts Degrees Awarded
$40,817 Avg Early-Career Salary

Design & Applied Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. 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 7 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 Kentucky

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

Top Schools in Design & Applied Arts

1

Leading the list is University Of Kentucky, our #1 school for design & applied arts. This very large public university is located in the city of Lexington. University Of Kentucky graduates 71% of students within six years. University Of Kentucky awarded about 40 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data 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

2
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in design & applied arts, ranking #2. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Western Kentucky University awarded about 30 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $44,778 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete this degree. Get the full design & applied arts details for Western Kentucky University

3
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

A rank of #3 makes Northern Kentucky University one of the top schools for design & applied arts. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Northern Kentucky University graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Northern Kentucky University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Northern Kentucky University earn around $52,565 in the first couple years of their career. Northern Kentucky University graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. See the full design & applied arts program report for Northern Kentucky University

4

Kentucky Wesleyan College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Kentucky Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Owensboro. Kentucky Wesleyan College graduates 46% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Kentucky Wesleyan College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Kentucky Wesleyan College earn around $32,568 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,333. Get the full design & applied arts details for Kentucky Wesleyan College

5

Jefferson Community And Technical College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Louisville, Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public university. About 20 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Jefferson Community And Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $44,346 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,917. More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Jefferson Community And Technical College

6

Somerset Community College placed #6 among the best design & applied arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Somerset. Somerset Community College awarded about 12 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Somerset Community College generally make around $35,340. Students borrow a median of $13,722 to complete this degree. Read more about the design & applied arts program at Somerset Community College

7

Big Sandy Community And Technical College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Prestonsburg. About 24 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Big Sandy Community And Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Big Sandy Community And Technical College earn around $33,956 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,588 to complete this degree. Get the full design & applied arts details for Big Sandy Community And Technical College

View All Design & Applied Arts Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 7 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options