Best colleges for Design and Applied Arts in Iowa
Ranked by graduate earnings
Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa and Hawkeye Community College award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Iowa: 203, 27 and 22 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 24 Iowa colleges offer Design and Applied Arts and award 531 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 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,637 | 27 | 68% | — | $25,100 |
| 2 | Iowa State University Ames Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,565 | 203 | 75% | — | $27,000 |
| 3 | Upper Iowa University Fayette Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $31,122 | 12 | 34% | $22,697 | $39,780 |
| 4 | Grand View University Des Moines Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $26,996 | 7 | 54% | $20,840 | $24,574 |
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 | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids Public · Associate degree | $32,116 | 56 | 43% | — | $10,519 |
| 2 | Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny Public · Associate degree | $25,265 | 110 | 39% | — | $13,625 |
Colleges awarding the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Iowa
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 | Iowa State University Ames Public | 203 | $37,565 |
| 2 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls Public | 27 | $38,637 |
| 3 | Hawkeye Community College Waterloo Public | 22 | Not reported |
| 4 | Luther College Decorah Private not-for-profit | 15 | Not reported |
| 5 | Upper Iowa University Fayette Private not-for-profit | 12 | $31,122 |
| 6 | Drake University Des Moines Private not-for-profit | 10 | Not reported |
| 7 | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 8 | Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 9 | Simpson College Indianola Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 10 | Grand View University Des Moines Private not-for-profit | 7 | $26,996 |
ShowHide the other 14 Iowa colleges offering Design and Applied Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny | Public | 110 |
| Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids | Public | 56 |
| Iowa Lakes Community College | Estherville | Public | 7 |
| Dordt University | Sioux Center | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Saint Ambrose University | Davenport | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Wartburg College | Waverly | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge | Public | 4 |
| Buena Vista University | Storm Lake | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Clarke University | Dubuque | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Mount Mercy University | Cedar Rapids | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Northwestern College | Orange City | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Briar Cliff University | Sioux City | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Ellsworth Community College | Iowa Falls | Public | 2 |
| Morningside University | Sioux City | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in Iowa
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in Iowa.
Which Iowa colleges award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees?+
Iowa State University (203 graduates a year), University of Northern Iowa (27 graduates a year) and Hawkeye Community College (22 graduates a year) award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 24 Iowa colleges offer Design and Applied Arts.
Which Design and Applied Arts program in Iowa has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Northern Iowa tops the list at $38,637. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in Iowa?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Iowa is $54,820 (median $50,310), across about 2,100 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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card