Best colleges for Design and Applied Arts in Georgia
Ranked by graduate earnings
Georgia Southern University, Savannah College of Art and Design and Clark Atlanta University are the top bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in Georgia by graduate earnings. Georgia Southern University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,355, College Scorecard. Savannah College of Art and Design, Chattahoochee Technical College and Augusta Technical College award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Georgia: 766, 267 and 86 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 25 Georgia colleges offer Design and Applied Arts and award 1,780 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 | Georgia Southern University Statesboro Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,355 | 33 | 55% | — | $26,000 |
| 2 | Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $23,400 | 766 | 69% | $44,902 | $27,000 |
| 3 | Clark Atlanta University Atlanta Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $20,974 | 43 | 49% | $36,717 | $27,427 |
| 4 | University of North Georgia Dahlonega Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $26,823 | 4 | 37% | — | — |
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 | Miami Ad School - Atlanta Atlanta Private for-profit · Certificate | $56,833 | 64 | — | $28,032 | — |
| 2 | Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville Public · Associate degree | $32,851 | 89 | 32% | — | $18,997 |
Colleges awarding the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Georgia
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 | Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah Private not-for-profit | 766 | $23,400 |
| 2 | Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta Public | 267 | Not reported |
| 3 | Augusta Technical College Augusta Public | 86 | Not reported |
| 4 | Atlanta Technical College Atlanta Public | 76 | Not reported |
| 5 | Lanier Technical College Gainesville Public | 64 | Not reported |
| 6 | Clark Atlanta University Atlanta Private not-for-profit | 43 | $20,974 |
| 7 | Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins Public | 41 | Not reported |
| 8 | Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Valdosta Public | 40 | Not reported |
| 9 | Georgia Southern University Statesboro Public | 33 | $39,355 |
| 10 | North Georgia Technical College Clarkesville Public | 31 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 15 Georgia colleges offering Design and Applied Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gwinnett Technical College | Lawrenceville | Public | 89 |
| Miami Ad School - Atlanta | Atlanta | Private for-profit | 64 |
| Southern Regional Technical College | Thomasville | Public | 29 |
| Athens Technical College | Athens | Public | 25 |
| Albany Technical College | Albany | Public | 23 |
| Georgia Piedmont Technical College | Clarkston | Public | 23 |
| Valdosta State University | Valdosta | Public | 16 |
| West Georgia Technical College | Waco | Public | 15 |
| American InterContinental University - Atlanta (Online) | Atlanta | Private for-profit | 15 |
| Mercer University | Macon | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| Brenau University | Gainesville | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Middle Georgia State University | Macon | Public | 6 |
| University of North Georgia | Dahlonega | Public | 4 |
| Young Harris College | Young Harris | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| University of Georgia | Athens | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in Georgia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in Georgia.
Which Georgia colleges award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees?+
Savannah College of Art and Design (766 graduates a year), Chattahoochee Technical College (267 graduates a year) and Augusta Technical College (86 graduates a year) award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Georgia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 25 Georgia colleges offer Design and Applied Arts.
What is the best college for Design and Applied Arts in Georgia?+
By graduate earnings, Georgia Southern University leads among bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in Georgia, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,355, College Scorecard. Savannah College of Art and Design and Clark Atlanta University follow. By degrees awarded, Savannah College of Art and Design is the largest, with 766 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Design and Applied Arts program in Georgia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Georgia Southern University tops the list at $39,355. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in Georgia?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Georgia is $64,240 (median $60,250), across about 5,920 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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