Best colleges for Design and Applied Arts in Indiana
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Notre Dame, Purdue University and Ball State University are the top bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in Indiana by graduate earnings. University of Notre Dame leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $46,825, College Scorecard. Purdue University, Indiana University - Bloomington and Ball State University award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Indiana: 110, 73 and 50 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 23 Indiana colleges offer Design and Applied Arts and award 626 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 Notre Dame Notre Dame Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,825 | 20 | 95% | $19,452 | $20,250 |
| 2 | Purdue University West Lafayette Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,602 | 110 | 83% | — | $20,250 |
| 3 | Ball State University Muncie Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,864 | 50 | 62% | — | $22,000 |
| 4 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,421 | 73 | 80% | — | $21,064 |
| 5 | University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $35,439 | 8 | 55% | $20,012 | $27,000 |
| 6 | Taylor University Upland Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $31,921 | 12 | 74% | $20,836 | $22,000 |
| 7 | Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $27,517 | 18 | 36% | — | $27,000 |
Top certificate or associate program
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 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis Public · Associate degree | $26,602 | 265 | 40% | — | $12,710 |
Colleges awarding the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Indiana
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 | Purdue University West Lafayette Public | 110 | $44,602 |
| 2 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington Public | 73 | $26,421 |
| 3 | Ball State University Muncie Public | 50 | $36,864 |
| 4 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame Private not-for-profit | 20 | $46,825 |
| 5 | Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Public | 18 | $27,517 |
| 6 | Vincennes University Vincennes Public | 14 | Not reported |
| 7 | Taylor University Upland Private not-for-profit | 12 | $31,921 |
| 8 | Huntington University Huntington Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 9 | University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Private not-for-profit | 8 | $35,439 |
| 10 | Grace College and Theological Seminary Winona Lake Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 13 Indiana colleges offering Design and Applied Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis | Public | 265 |
| Indiana University - Indianapolis | Indianapolis | Public | 6 |
| University of Indianapolis | Indianapolis | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Butler University | Indianapolis | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Bethel University | Mishawaka | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Indiana Wesleyan University - Marion | Marion | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| University of Evansville | Evansville | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Franklin College | Franklin | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Goshen College | Goshen | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary of the Woods | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Anderson University | Anderson | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| DePauw University | Greencastle | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Marian University | Indianapolis | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in Indiana
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in Indiana.
Which Indiana colleges award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees?+
Purdue University (110 graduates a year), Indiana University - Bloomington (73 graduates a year) and Ball State University (50 graduates a year) award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Indiana, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 23 Indiana colleges offer Design and Applied Arts.
What is the best college for Design and Applied Arts in Indiana?+
By graduate earnings, University of Notre Dame leads among bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in Indiana, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $46,825, College Scorecard. Purdue University and Ball State University follow. By degrees awarded, Purdue University is the largest, with 110 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Design and Applied Arts program in Indiana has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Notre Dame tops the list at $46,825. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in Indiana?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Indiana is $61,990 (median $55,480), across about 3,450 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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