Best colleges for Design and Applied Arts in Alabama
Ranked by graduate earnings
Auburn University, The University of Alabama and Samford University are the top bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in Alabama by graduate earnings. Auburn University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $46,585, College Scorecard. Auburn University, The University of Alabama and Samford University award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Alabama: 150, 75 and 34 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 12 Alabama colleges offer Design and Applied Arts and award 405 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Design and Applied Arts program focuses on the intersection of design and practical application, teaching students how to create aesthetically pleasing objects for everyday use. This program is ideal for individuals interested in…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auburn University Auburn Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,585 | 150 | 82% | — | $26,000 |
| 2 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,215 | 75 | 73% | — | $26,505 |
| 3 | Samford University Birmingham Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,323 | 34 | 77% | $28,160 | $25,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Alabama
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auburn University Auburn Public | 150 | $46,585 |
| 2 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa Public | 75 | $44,215 |
| 3 | Samford University Birmingham Private not-for-profit | 34 | $41,323 |
| 4 | John C Calhoun State Community College Tanner Public | 32 | Not reported |
| 5 | Troy University Troy Public | 29 | Not reported |
| 6 | Coastal Alabama Community College Bay Minette Public | 21 | Not reported |
| 7 | George C Wallace State Community College - Hanceville Hanceville Public | 18 | Not reported |
| 8 | Spring Hill College Mobile Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 9 | Chattahoochee Valley Community College Phenix City Public | 7 | Not reported |
| 10 | University of Mobile Mobile Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 2 Alabama colleges offering Design and Applied Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawson State Community College | Birmingham | Public | 21 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville | Public | 3 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in Alabama
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in Alabama.
Which Alabama colleges award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees?+
Auburn University (150 graduates a year), The University of Alabama (75 graduates a year) and Samford University (34 graduates a year) award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Alabama, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 12 Alabama colleges offer Design and Applied Arts.
What is the best college for Design and Applied Arts in Alabama?+
By graduate earnings, Auburn University leads among bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in Alabama, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $46,585, College Scorecard. The University of Alabama and Samford University follow. By degrees awarded, Auburn University is the largest, with 150 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Design and Applied Arts program in Alabama has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Auburn University tops the list at $46,585. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in Alabama?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Alabama is $57,010 (median $51,070), across about 1,760 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Design and Applied Arts program?+
The Design and Applied Arts program focuses on the intersection of design and practical application, teaching students how to create aesthetically pleasing objects for everyday use. This program is ideal for individuals interested in…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop active listening, speaking, critical thinking, writing, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Graphic Designers?+
The national job outlook is about +2.1% growth with around 20,000 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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