Best Design and Applied Arts institutions in Illinois, ranked by earnings
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 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois State University Normal Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,287 | 32 | 65% | — | $24,986 |
| 2 | Judson University Elgin Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,466 | 4 | 60% | $25,200 | — |
| 3 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,670 | 62 | 85% | — | $18,839 |
| 4 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,377 | 70 | 62% | — | $25,750 |
| 5 | Rasmussen University - Illinois Rockford Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $32,482 | 4 | 43% | $19,427 | $35,438 |
| 6 | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn Public · Associate degree | $31,463 | 91 | 25% | — | $10,653 |
| 7 | DePaul University Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,536 | 55 | 68% | $28,141 | $27,000 |
| 8 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,630 | 293 | 52% | $28,087 | $27,000 |
| 9 | North Central College Naperville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $28,037 | 10 | 64% | $20,052 | $22,000 |
| 10 | Dominican University River Forest Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $22,938 | 6 | 55% | $16,176 | $26,978 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in Illinois.
Which Design and Applied Arts program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Illinois State University tops the list at $39,287. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Illinois is $64,070 (median $60,010), across about 7,900 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.
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).
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