Best colleges for Design and Applied Arts in Connecticut
Ranked by graduate earnings
Quinnipiac University, Central Connecticut State University and University of Hartford are the top bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in Connecticut by graduate earnings. Quinnipiac University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $35,884, College Scorecard. University of Hartford, Central Connecticut State University and Quinnipiac University award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Connecticut: 43, 38 and 31 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 9 Connecticut colleges offer Design and Applied Arts and award 267 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 5 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 | Quinnipiac University Hamden Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,884 | 31 | 76% | $36,137 | $26,976 |
| 2 | Central Connecticut State University New Britain Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,930 | 38 | 48% | — | $22,641 |
| 3 | University of Hartford West Hartford Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,515 | 43 | 54% | $28,311 | $27,000 |
| 4 | University of New Haven West Haven Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,425 | 21 | 63% | $32,614 | $27,000 |
| 5 | University of Bridgeport Bridgeport Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $31,207 | 1 | 41% | $25,149 | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Connecticut
Top 8 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 | University of Hartford West Hartford Private not-for-profit | 43 | $29,515 |
| 2 | Central Connecticut State University New Britain Public | 38 | $34,930 |
| 3 | Quinnipiac University Hamden Private not-for-profit | 31 | $35,884 |
| 4 | University of New Haven West Haven Private not-for-profit | 21 | $26,425 |
| 5 | Yale University New Haven Private not-for-profit | 18 | Not reported |
| 6 | Fairfield University Fairfield Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 7 | Sacred Heart University Fairfield Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 8 | University of Bridgeport Bridgeport Private not-for-profit | 1 | $31,207 |
ShowHide the other 1 Connecticut colleges offering Design and Applied Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut State Community College | New Britain | Public | 102 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in Connecticut
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in Connecticut.
Which Connecticut colleges award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees?+
University of Hartford (43 graduates a year), Central Connecticut State University (38 graduates a year) and Quinnipiac University (31 graduates a year) award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Connecticut, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 9 Connecticut colleges offer Design and Applied Arts.
What is the best college for Design and Applied Arts in Connecticut?+
By graduate earnings, Quinnipiac University leads among bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in Connecticut, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $35,884, College Scorecard. Central Connecticut State University and University of Hartford follow. By degrees awarded, University of Hartford is the largest, with 43 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Design and Applied Arts program in Connecticut has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Quinnipiac University tops the list at $35,884. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in Connecticut?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Connecticut is $75,420 (median $72,700), across about 1,930 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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