Best colleges for Design and Applied Arts in Kansas
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Kansas, Wichita State University and Kansas State University award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Kansas: 87, 22 and 19 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 14 Kansas colleges offer Design and Applied Arts and award 291 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 3 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 Kansas Lawrence Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,508 | 87 | 69% | — | $26,000 |
| 2 | Wichita State University Wichita Public · Bachelor's degree | $33,590 | 22 | 51% | — | $26,000 |
| 3 | Kansas State University Manhattan Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $43,992 | 19 | 71% | — | — |
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 | Johnson County Community College Overland Park Public · Associate degree | $32,030 | 101 | 31% | — | $13,625 |
| 2 | Rasmussen University - Kansas Topeka Private for-profit · Associate degree Small program | $32,246 | 1 | 45% | $19,811 | $28,722 |
Colleges awarding the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Kansas
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 | University of Kansas Lawrence Public | 87 | $37,508 |
| 2 | Wichita State University Wichita Public | 22 | $33,590 |
| 3 | Kansas State University Manhattan Public | 19 | $43,992 |
| 4 | Wichita State University - Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology Wichita Public | 19 | Not reported |
| 5 | Benedictine College Atchison Private not-for-profit | 14 | Not reported |
| 6 | Pittsburg State University Pittsburg Public | 7 | Not reported |
| 7 | Tabor College Hillsboro Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 8 | Washburn University Topeka Public | 6 | Not reported |
| 9 | McPherson College McPherson Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 10 | Bethany College Lindsborg Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 4 Kansas colleges offering Design and Applied Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson County Community College | Overland Park | Public | 101 |
| Kansas Wesleyan University | Salina | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| MidAmerica Nazarene University | Olathe | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Rasmussen University - Kansas | Topeka | Private for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in Kansas
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in Kansas.
Which Kansas colleges award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees?+
University of Kansas (87 graduates a year), Wichita State University (22 graduates a year) and Kansas State University (19 graduates a year) award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Kansas, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 14 Kansas colleges offer Design and Applied Arts.
Which Design and Applied Arts program in Kansas has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Kansas tops the list at $37,508. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in Kansas?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Kansas is $57,850 (median $53,630), across about 1,730 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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