Best Colleges for Design and Applied Arts 2026
20 schools ranked by graduate earnings, real data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Top 20 Design and Applied Arts Programs by Graduate Earnings
| # | School | Earnings | Tuition | Accept Rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA | $126,932 | $63,829 | 11% | 7,187 |
| 2 | Northeastern University Boston, MA | $81,078 | $63,141 | 10% | 15,719 |
| 3 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX | $76,309 | $42,778 | 29% | 42,100 |
| 4 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, GA | $74,666 | $32,876 | 16% | 18,260 |
| 5 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA | $71,597 | $41,997 | 43% | 31,588 |
| 6 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY | $71,567 | $61,884 | 58% | 5,909 |
| 7 | Art Center College of Design Pasadena, CA | $71,547 | $51,640 | 75% | 2,054 |
| 8 | Chapman University Orange, CA | $69,235 | $62,784 | 56% | 7,629 |
| 9 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | $68,882 | $44,524 | 9% | 33,040 |
| 10 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WA | $68,445 | $27,853 | 91% | 13,574 |
| 11 | Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WA | $68,201 | $38,814 | 91% | 2,073 |
| 12 | Marist University Poughkeepsie, NY | $66,343 | $46,140 | 65% | 5,039 |
| 13 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN | $65,839 | $62,693 | 12% | 8,923 |
| 14 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | $62,198 | $28,659 | 24% | 34,102 |
| 15 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA | $62,097 | $60,663 | 78% | 13,509 |
| 16 | Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston, MA | $61,703 | $41,010 | 85% | 3,641 |
| 17 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA | $59,906 | $36,694 | 57% | 30,435 |
| 18 | California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA | $58,879 | $18,888 | 47% | 34,131 |
| 19 | Suffolk University Boston, MA | $58,843 | $45,380 | 85% | 4,434 |
| 20 | Pratt Institute-Main Brooklyn, NY | $58,684 | $59,683 | 53% | 3,766 |
Design and Applied Arts is a field of study that develops specialized knowledge and skills applicable across a range of professional settings. Undergraduate programs typically combine foundational coursework with applied projects, laboratory work, or research experiences designed to prepare graduates for entry-level careers or advanced study.
Graduates are well-positioned for careers across multiple industries. Career paths and earning potential vary depending on the specific concentration, graduate degree attainment, and employer. The rankings below are based on actual graduate earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, which tracks median earnings for graduates of each school-major combination.
When evaluating Design and Applied Arts programs, consider accreditation status, research and internship opportunities, faculty expertise, and the school's alumni network in your target career field. The earnings data on this page provides an objective, evidence-based signal to help you compare programs by real-world financial outcomes.
Earnings shown are median graduate earnings 4 years after graduation (or 1 year if 4-year data is unavailable), sourced from the College Scorecard.See full major data
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See earnings data for all 290 schools offering Design and Applied Arts, including debt figures and graduate counts.
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What should I look for in a Design and Applied Arts program?
Look for programs with relevant accreditation, strong research or internship opportunities, experienced faculty with industry connections, and alumni networks in the careers you want to pursue. Hands-on learning experiences and career placement rates are also important indicators of program quality.
What careers can I pursue with a Design and Applied Arts degree?
A Design and Applied Arts degree prepares graduates for a range of careers depending on the specific concentration and any graduate study pursued. Review the program's placement data and alumni outcomes to understand where graduates from a specific school tend to land after graduation.
How much do Design and Applied Arts graduates earn?
Earnings for Design and Applied Arts graduates vary by school, specialization, and career path. The rankings on this page reflect verified median graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, giving you a school-level view of real financial outcomes for this major.