Best colleges for Design and Applied Arts in Colorado
Ranked by graduate earnings
Metropolitan State University of Denver, University of Denver and Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design are the top bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in Colorado by graduate earnings. Metropolitan State University of Denver leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,450, College Scorecard. Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, Metropolitan State University of Denver and Red Rocks Community College award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Colorado: 226, 46 and 33 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 15 Colorado colleges offer Design and Applied Arts and award 661 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 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,450 | 46 | 32% | — | $29,125 |
| 2 | University of Denver Denver Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,104 | 21 | 76% | $29,726 | — |
| 3 | Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design Lakewood Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,829 | 226 | 32% | $28,500 | $46,544 |
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 | Front Range Community College Westminster Public · Certificate | $21,397 | 88 | 35% | — | $11,000 |
| 2 | Arapahoe Community College Littleton Public · Associate degree | $32,100 | 57 | 29% | — | $15,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Colorado
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 | Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design Lakewood Private for-profit | 226 | $29,829 |
| 2 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver Public | 46 | $39,450 |
| 3 | Red Rocks Community College Lakewood Public | 33 | Not reported |
| 4 | Aims Community College Greeley Public | 29 | Not reported |
| 5 | University of Denver Denver Private not-for-profit | 21 | $31,104 |
| 6 | Colorado College Colorado Springs Private not-for-profit | 19 | Not reported |
| 7 | Pueblo Community College Pueblo Public | 15 | Not reported |
| 8 | Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction Public | 11 | Not reported |
| 9 | Morgan Community College Fort Morgan Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 10 | Pickens Technical College Aurora Public | 10 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 5 Colorado colleges offering Design and Applied Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Range Community College | Westminster | Public | 88 |
| Arapahoe Community College | Littleton | Public | 57 |
| Pikes Peak State College | Colorado Springs | Public | 50 |
| Community College of Denver | Denver | Public | 37 |
| Colorado Mountain College | Glenwood Springs | Public | 9 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in Colorado
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in Colorado.
Which Colorado colleges award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees?+
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (226 graduates a year), Metropolitan State University of Denver (46 graduates a year) and Red Rocks Community College (33 graduates a year) award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Colorado, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 15 Colorado colleges offer Design and Applied Arts.
What is the best college for Design and Applied Arts in Colorado?+
By graduate earnings, Metropolitan State University of Denver leads among bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in Colorado, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,450, College Scorecard. University of Denver and Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design follow. By degrees awarded, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design is the largest, with 226 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Design and Applied Arts program in Colorado has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Metropolitan State University of Denver tops the list at $39,450. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in Colorado?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Colorado is $74,460 (median $66,330), across about 4,200 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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