2026 Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Southwest 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 125 schools to find the best for design & applied arts students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Design & Applied Arts in the Southwest Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the design & applied arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Design & Applied Arts
Leading the list is The University Of Texas At Austin, our #1 school for design & applied arts. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 131 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $44,506 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 The University Of Texas At Austin
A rank of #2 makes Texas Christian University one of the top schools for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 45 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Texas Christian University earn around $60,035 in the first couple years of their career. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans.
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Southern Methodist University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in design & applied arts, ranking #3. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. Southern Methodist University awarded about 11 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $70,632 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Southern Methodist University
Arizona State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 231 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $41,589 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Arizona State University
Baylor University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Baylor University awarded about 34 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Baylor University earn around $39,333 in the first couple years of their career. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans.
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Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 45 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $50,993 in their early career. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Texas State University San Marcos placed #7 among the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 109 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Texas State University San Marcos earn around $44,396 in the first couple years of their career. Texas State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $24,353 in student loans.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Texas State University San Marcos
Northern Arizona University came in at #8 for design & applied arts this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 102 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Northern Arizona University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $33,964. Typical student debt for the program is $23,245.
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Collin County Community College District placed #9 among the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. There were roughly 298 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Collin County Community College District in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Collin County Community College District earn around $33,456 in the first couple years of their career. Collin County Community College District graduates carry a median of $6,900 in student loans.
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University Of Arizona ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. About 28 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from University Of Arizona
University Of Houston placed #11 among the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 43 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $47,461. University Of Houston graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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University Of North Texas came in at #12 for design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 141 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $33,867 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,288.
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University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #13 for design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 69 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $37,755 in their early career. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Texas Tech University placed #14 among the best design & applied arts schools. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 43 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech University in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,271.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Texas Tech University
Abilene Christian University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. About 14 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Abilene Christian University in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $38,553 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete this degree.
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University Of Central Oklahoma ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Central Oklahoma awarded about 27 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $42,619 early in their careers. University Of Central Oklahoma graduates carry a median of $15,875 in student loans.
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Grand Canyon University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. There were roughly 124 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Grand Canyon University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $38,976 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Grand Canyon University
Dallas Baptist University landed the #18 spot for design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Dallas Baptist University graduates 58% of students within six years. Dallas Baptist University awarded about 16 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Dallas Baptist University earn a median of $48,822 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,819.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Dallas Baptist University
Austin Community College District earned the #19 position for design & applied arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. Austin Community College District awarded about 203 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $40,289 in their early career. Austin Community College District graduates carry a median of $19,939 in student loans.
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Glendale Community College Glendale Az came in at #20 for design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. Glendale Community College Glendale Az awarded about 44 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn around $51,483 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,996.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Glendale Community College Glendale Az
Scottsdale Community College landed the #21 spot for design & applied arts this year. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. About 58 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Scottsdale Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $38,676 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,084.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Scottsdale Community College
Lamar University placed #22 among the best design & applied arts schools. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Lamar University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Lamar University earn around $52,678 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,988.
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Texas Womans University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Texas Womans University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $54,611. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete this degree.
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The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #24 spot for design & applied arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Arlington. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 19 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $55,304 in their early career. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arizona State University Skysong came in at #25 for design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. Arizona State University Skysong awarded about 49 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $41,589. Arizona State University Skysong graduates carry a median of $23,742 in student loans.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Arizona State University Skysong
Rest of the Top 50 Design & Applied Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong design & applied arts education:
Narrow Design & Applied Arts Schools by State
More Design & Applied Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 125 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.
