2024 Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Plains States Region
36
Colleges in the Plains States Region
2,327
Design Degrees Awarded
$31,239
Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #36 in popularity,
design & applied arts is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.
In 2024, College Factual analyzed 36 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 2,327 degrees in design & applied arts to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Design & Applied Arts School
Your choice of design & applied arts school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Design & Applied Arts School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Design & Applied Arts Rankings by Degree Level
The design school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Plains States Region.
More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you.
Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Read more about College Factual's methodology.
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Featured Design & Applied Arts Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
AA in Digital Photography
Take the first step toward a career of visual expression and doing what you love with this online associate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
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BA in Digital Photography
Learn to create a striking portfolio and hone the skills you need to succeed in the world of professional photography with this online digital photography degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
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Best Schools for Design & Applied Arts in the Plains States Region
The schools below may not offer all types of design degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer.
10 Top Plains States Region Schools in Design
Washington University in St Louis is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in design & applied arts. WUSTL is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Saint Louis. A Best Colleges rank of #17 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means WUSTL is a great university overall.
There were approximately 74 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent data year. Those design & applied arts students who get their degree from Washington University in St Louis make $10,338 more than the average design student.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Washington University in St Louis
Every student pursuing a degree in design & applied arts needs to check out Iowa State University. Iowa State is a very large public university located in the small city of Ames. A Best Colleges rank of #75 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Iowa State is a great university overall.
There were roughly 252 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State in the most recent year we have data available. Design & Applied Arts degree recipients from Iowa State University get an earnings boost of about $5,826 above the average earnings of design & applied arts majors.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Iowa State University
Every student pursuing a degree in design & applied arts needs to look into University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. UMN Twin Cities is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Minneapolis. A Best Colleges rank of #51 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UMN Twin Cities is a great university overall.
There were about 130 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the design & applied arts program at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities earn $9,368 above the average college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Every student pursuing a degree in design & applied arts has to check out University of Kansas. Located in the small city of Lawrence, KU is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #141 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means KU is a great university overall.
There were roughly 72 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at KU in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the design program earn around $32,536 in the first couple years of their career.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from University of Kansas
Drake is a small private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Des Moines. A Best Colleges rank of #224 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Drake is a great university overall.
There were approximately 16 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Drake in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Drake University
Located in the town of Decorah, Luther is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 7th out of 40 schools for overall quality in the state of Iowa.
There were about 11 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Luther in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Luther College
UNI is a medium-sized public university located in the city of Cedar Falls. A Best Colleges rank of #199 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UNI is a great university overall.
There were roughly 50 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at UNI in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts degree recipients from University of Northern Iowa get an earnings boost of around $3,561 over the typical income of design & applied arts majors.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from University of Northern Iowa
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
3rd
Most Popular In NE
38
Design Degrees Awarded
Located in the large city of Lincoln, UNL is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #138 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UNL is a great university overall.
There were approximately 38 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at UNL in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Maryville U is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Saint Louis. A Best Colleges rank of #202 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Maryville U is a great university overall.
There were approximately 42 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Maryville U in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the design & applied arts degree program at Maryville University of Saint Louis get $8,230 more than the typical graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Maryville University of Saint Louis
Century College is a moderately-sized public college located in the large suburb of White Bear Lake. This college ranks 19th out of 52 schools for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.
There were about 62 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Century College in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts degree recipients from Century College receive an earnings boost of about $7,366 over the average income of design & applied arts graduates.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Century College