2027 Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Texas
Design & Applied Arts degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools to find the best for design & applied arts students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Design & Applied Arts in Texas
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
No school ranked higher than The University Of Texas At Austin this year for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 127 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $44,506 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500.
Get the full design & applied arts details for The University Of Texas At Austin
Southern Methodist University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Methodist University awarded about 20 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.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at Southern Methodist University
Texas Christian University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. Texas Christian University awarded about 57 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $60,035 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,960.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at Texas Christian University
Baylor University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 34 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Baylor University 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. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Baylor University
A rank of #5 makes Texas State University San Marcos one of the top schools for design & applied arts. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 185 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent 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
Collin County Community College District ranked #6 on our 2027 list of 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 257 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.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Collin County Community College District
University Of North Texas came in at #7 for design & applied arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Denton. About 61% of students finish within six years. University Of North Texas awarded about 147 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $33,867. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $22,288 in student loans.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at University Of North Texas
University Of Houston ranked #8 on our 2027 list of 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%. University Of Houston awarded about 44 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $47,461 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full design & applied arts program report for University Of Houston
Texas Tech University placed #9 among the best design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 50 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. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Texas Tech University
West Texas A And M University landed the #10 spot for design & applied arts this year. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. West Texas A And M University graduates 48% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at West Texas A And M University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from West Texas A And M University generally make around $43,515. Students borrow a median of $22,333 to complete this degree.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at West Texas A And M University
Dallas Baptist University landed the #11 spot for design & applied arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dallas. Dallas Baptist University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Dallas Baptist University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their design & applied arts degree from Dallas Baptist University earn around $48,822 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,819.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at Dallas Baptist University
Austin Community College District placed #12 among the best design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. There were roughly 150 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Austin Community College District 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.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at Austin Community College District
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #13 among the best design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 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. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from The University Of Texas At Arlington
Abilene Christian University ranked #14 on our 2027 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. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. There were roughly 11 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Abilene Christian University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Abilene Christian University generally make around $38,553. Abilene Christian University graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Abilene Christian University
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. This large public university is located in the town of Nacogdoches. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Stephen F Austin State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $42,197 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,759.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Stephen F Austin State University
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Texas A And M University Commerce graduates 43% of students within six years. About 20 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Commerce in the most recent year. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $54,201 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete this degree.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Texas A And M University Commerce
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #17 position for design & applied arts this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. About 51% of students finish within six years. About 49 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas Pan American in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. The University Of Texas Pan American graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans.
See the full design & applied arts program report for The University Of Texas Pan American
Houston Baptist University placed #18 among the best design & applied arts schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Houston. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 11 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Houston Baptist University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Houston Baptist University generally make around $57,088. Students borrow a median of $25,601 to complete this degree.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Houston Baptist University
Sam Houston State University earned the #19 position for design & applied arts this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Sam Houston State University awarded about 29 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $39,959 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Sam Houston State University
Blinn College earned the #20 position for design & applied arts this year. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. About 52 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Blinn College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. Typical student debt for the program is $16,465.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at Blinn College
Saint Edwards University landed the #21 spot for design & applied arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Austin. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint Edwards University awarded about 42 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $30,589 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
See the full design & applied arts program report for Saint Edwards University
University Of The Incarnate Word ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best design & applied arts schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Antonio. University Of The Incarnate Word graduates 50% of students within six years. University Of The Incarnate Word awarded about 76 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of The Incarnate Word generally make around $27,986. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the design & applied arts program at University Of The Incarnate Word
San Jacinto Community College placed #23 among the best design & applied arts schools. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. San Jacinto Community College awarded about 52 design & applied arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $38,107 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,376 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from San Jacinto Community College
San Antonio College placed #24 among the best design & applied arts schools. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. There were roughly 55 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at San Antonio College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the design & applied arts program make about $37,855 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,839 to complete this degree.
See the full design & applied arts program report for San Antonio College
Lamar Institute Of Technology earned the #25 position for design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. About 29 design & applied arts degrees were awarded at Lamar Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Lamar Institute Of Technology generally make around $50,068. Lamar Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $14,278 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 39 Design & Applied Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s design & applied arts ranking:
More Design & Applied Arts Rankings
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 · 39 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.
