Maine · Design and Applied Arts

Best colleges for Design and Applied Arts in Maine

Ranked by graduate earnings

Husson University and Maine College of Art & Design award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees and certificates in Maine: 27 and 25 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 2 Maine colleges offer Design and Applied Arts and award 52 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…

Institutions
2
offering CIP 50.04
States & territories
53
with a program page
Degrees / yr
52
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$29,001
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$34,336
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
56%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Graphic Designers
$61,780
BLS OEWS May 2025

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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Maine College of Art & Design
Portland Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$29,0012552%$34,336$27,000

Colleges awarding the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Maine

Top 2 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.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Husson University
Bangor Private not-for-profit
27Not reported
2Maine College of Art & Design
Portland Private not-for-profit
25$29,001

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+2.1%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~20,000
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$61,300
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Active ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingWritingActive LearningReading Comprehension

What Graphic Designers earn in Maine

Jobs in Maine
560
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$61,780
median $60,030
Best-paying metro
$65,540
Portland-South Portland, ME

Related careers

Graphic Designers
$61,780 avg · 560 jobs
Web and Digital Interface Designers
— avg · 380 jobs
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
$105,660 avg · 340 jobs
Interior Designers
$64,440 avg · 230 jobs
Commercial and Industrial Designers
— avg · 200 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in Maine.

Which Maine colleges award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees?+

Husson University (27 graduates a year) and Maine College of Art & Design (25 graduates a year) award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees and certificates in Maine, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 2 Maine colleges offer Design and Applied Arts.

Which Design and Applied Arts program in Maine has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Maine College of Art & Design tops the list at $29,001. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Graphic Designers earn in Maine?+

The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Maine is $61,780 (median $60,030), across about 560 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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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