Best colleges for Design and Applied Arts in Arizona
Ranked by graduate earnings
Grand Canyon University, Arizona State University Campus Immersion and Northern Arizona University are the top bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in Arizona by graduate earnings. Grand Canyon University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,976, College Scorecard. Arizona State University Campus Immersion, Grand Canyon University and Northern Arizona University award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Arizona: 244, 109 and 97 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 21 Arizona colleges offer Design and Applied Arts and award 1,058 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 4 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 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,976 | 109 | 43% | $21,535 | $27,000 |
| 2 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,960 | 244 | 68% | — | $21,500 |
| 3 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,964 | 97 | 61% | — | $23,245 |
| 4 | University of Advancing Technology Tempe Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,640 | 43 | 35% | $21,175 | $27,895 |
Top 2 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scottsdale Community College Scottsdale Public · Associate degree | $38,676 | 77 | 17% | — | — |
| 2 | Sessions College Tempe Private for-profit · Associate degree Online | $19,275 | 42 | 40% | $17,833 | $22,719 |
Colleges awarding the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Arizona
Top 9 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 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe Public | 244 | $35,960 |
| 2 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix Private not-for-profit | 109 | $38,976 |
| 3 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff Public | 97 | $33,964 |
| 4 | University of Arizona Tucson Public | 49 | Not reported |
| 5 | University of Advancing Technology Tempe Private for-profit | 43 | $30,640 |
| 6 | Yavapai College Prescott Public | 17 | Not reported |
| 7 | Chandler-Gilbert Community College Chandler Public | 12 | Not reported |
| 8 | Eastern Arizona College Thatcher Public | 11 | Not reported |
| 9 | Mohave Community College Kingman Public | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 12 Arizona colleges offering Design and Applied Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University Digital Immersion (Online) | Scottsdale | Public | 117 |
| Scottsdale Community College | Scottsdale | Public | 77 |
| Mesa Community College | Mesa | Public | 68 |
| Phoenix College | Phoenix | Public | 58 |
| Sessions College (Online) | Tempe | Private for-profit | 42 |
| Bryan University (Online) | Tempe | Private for-profit | 30 |
| Glendale Community College | Glendale | Public | 24 |
| Central Arizona College | Coolidge | Public | 17 |
| GateWay Community College | Phoenix | Public | 15 |
| Paradise Valley Community College | Phoenix | Public | 12 |
| Pima Community College | Tucson | Public | 9 |
| Arizona Western College | Yuma | Public | 6 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in Arizona
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in Arizona.
Which Arizona colleges award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees?+
Arizona State University Campus Immersion (244 graduates a year), Grand Canyon University (109 graduates a year) and Northern Arizona University (97 graduates a year) award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Arizona, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 21 Arizona colleges offer Design and Applied Arts.
What is the best college for Design and Applied Arts in Arizona?+
By graduate earnings, Grand Canyon University leads among bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in Arizona, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,976, College Scorecard. Arizona State University Campus Immersion and Northern Arizona University follow. By degrees awarded, Arizona State University Campus Immersion is the largest, with 244 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Design and Applied Arts program in Arizona has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Grand Canyon University tops the list at $38,976. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in Arizona?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Arizona is $63,570 (median $58,510), across about 3,560 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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