Best colleges for Design and Applied Arts in Arkansas
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Central Arkansas, University of Arkansas and Harding University are the top bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in Arkansas by graduate earnings. University of Central Arkansas leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $43,106, College Scorecard. Arkansas Tech University, University of Arkansas and NorthWest Arkansas Community College award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Arkansas: 56, 39 and 39 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 14 Arkansas colleges offer Design and Applied Arts and award 264 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 7 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 | University of Central Arkansas Conway Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,106 | 21 | 54% | — | — |
| 2 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,782 | 39 | 71% | — | $23,881 |
| 3 | Harding University Searcy Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,582 | 20 | 69% | $19,423 | — |
| 4 | John Brown University Siloam Springs Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $24,893 | 22 | 72% | $20,325 | $20,500 |
| 5 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville Public · Bachelor's degree | $20,285 | 56 | 49% | — | $28,950 |
| 6 | Arkansas State University Jonesboro Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $35,970 | 17 | 55% | — | — |
| 7 | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $22,016 | 5 | 49% | — | $25,559 |
Colleges awarding the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Arkansas
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 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville Public | 56 | $20,285 |
| 2 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville Public | 39 | $41,782 |
| 3 | NorthWest Arkansas Community College Bentonville Public | 39 | Not reported |
| 4 | John Brown University Siloam Springs Private not-for-profit | 22 | $24,893 |
| 5 | University of Central Arkansas Conway Public | 21 | $43,106 |
| 6 | Harding University Searcy Private not-for-profit | 20 | $35,582 |
| 7 | Arkansas State University Jonesboro Public | 17 | $35,970 |
| 8 | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Fort Smith Public | 15 | Not reported |
| 9 | Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
| 10 | Southern Arkansas University Tech Camden Public | 7 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 4 Arkansas colleges offering Design and Applied Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock | Public | 5 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia | Public | 5 |
| Arkansas State University - Mountain Home | Mountain Home | Public | 5 |
| Southeast Arkansas College | Pine Bluff | Public | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in Arkansas
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in Arkansas.
Which Arkansas colleges award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees?+
Arkansas Tech University (56 graduates a year), University of Arkansas (39 graduates a year) and NorthWest Arkansas Community College (39 graduates a year) award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Arkansas, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 14 Arkansas colleges offer Design and Applied Arts.
What is the best college for Design and Applied Arts in Arkansas?+
By graduate earnings, University of Central Arkansas leads among bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in Arkansas, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $43,106, College Scorecard. University of Arkansas and Harding University follow. By degrees awarded, Arkansas Tech University is the largest, with 56 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Design and Applied Arts program in Arkansas has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Central Arkansas tops the list at $43,106. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in Arkansas?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Arkansas is $52,670 (median $46,220), across about 1,390 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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