Best colleges for Design and Applied Arts in Kentucky
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Kentucky, Western Kentucky University and Big Sandy Community and Technical College award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees and certificates in Kentucky: 40, 30 and 24 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 11 Kentucky colleges offer Design and Applied Arts and award 169 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 institution, 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 Kentucky Lexington Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,168 | 40 | 71% | — | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Kentucky
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). 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 Kentucky Lexington Public | 40 | $42,168 |
| 2 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green Public | 30 | Not reported |
| 3 | Big Sandy Community and Technical College Prestonsburg Public | 24 | Not reported |
| 4 | Jefferson Community and Technical College Louisville Public | 20 | Not reported |
| 5 | Kentucky Wesleyan College Owensboro Private not-for-profit | 13 | Not reported |
| 6 | Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights Public | 12 | Not reported |
| 7 | Somerset Community College Somerset Public | 12 | Not reported |
| 8 | West Kentucky Community and Technical College Paducah Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 9 | Hazard Community and Technical College Hazard Public | 6 | Not reported |
| 10 | Asbury University Wilmore Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 Kentucky colleges offering Design and Applied Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campbellsville University | Campbellsville | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in Kentucky
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in Kentucky.
Which Kentucky colleges award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees?+
University of Kentucky (40 graduates a year), Western Kentucky University (30 graduates a year) and Big Sandy Community and Technical College (24 graduates a year) award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees and certificates in Kentucky, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 11 Kentucky colleges offer Design and Applied Arts.
Which Design and Applied Arts program in Kentucky has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Kentucky tops the list at $42,168. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in Kentucky?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Kentucky is $56,050 (median $52,960), across about 2,060 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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