Best colleges for Design and Applied Arts in Massachusetts
Ranked by graduate earnings
Wentworth Institute of Technology, Northeastern University and Boston University are the top bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in Massachusetts by graduate earnings. Wentworth Institute of Technology leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $50,599, College Scorecard. Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston University and Northeastern University award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Massachusetts: 162, 72 and 71 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 40 Massachusetts colleges offer Design and Applied Arts and award 873 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 10 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 | Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,599 | 51 | 68% | $32,713 | $27,000 |
| 2 | Northeastern University Boston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,727 | 71 | 91% | $18,925 | $28,250 |
| 3 | Boston University Boston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,254 | 72 | 89% | $21,956 | $21,250 |
| 4 | Suffolk University Boston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,415 | 30 | 61% | $28,895 | $27,000 |
| 5 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,020 | 26 | 65% | — | $19,000 |
| 6 | Lasell University Newton Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,661 | 27 | 59% | $23,724 | $27,000 |
| 7 | University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth North Dartmouth Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,660 | 36 | 52% | — | $27,000 |
| 8 | Fitchburg State University Fitchburg Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,191 | 36 | 55% | — | $27,000 |
| 9 | Lesley University Cambridge Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $25,227 | 48 | 58% | $30,837 | $26,500 |
| 10 | Massachusetts College of Art and Design Boston Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,706 | 162 | 69% | — | $26,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Massachusetts
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 | Massachusetts College of Art and Design Boston Public | 162 | $24,706 |
| 2 | Boston University Boston Private not-for-profit | 72 | $49,254 |
| 3 | Northeastern University Boston Private not-for-profit | 71 | $49,727 |
| 4 | Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston Private not-for-profit | 51 | $50,599 |
| 5 | Lesley University Cambridge Private not-for-profit | 48 | $25,227 |
| 6 | Fitchburg State University Fitchburg Public | 36 | $29,191 |
| 7 | University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth North Dartmouth Public | 36 | $29,660 |
| 8 | Suffolk University Boston Private not-for-profit | 30 | $47,415 |
| 9 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester Private not-for-profit | 30 | Not reported |
| 10 | Montserrat College of Art Beverly Private not-for-profit | 28 | $19,865 |
ShowHide the other 30 Massachusetts colleges offering Design and Applied Arts
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in Massachusetts
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in Massachusetts.
Which Massachusetts colleges award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees?+
Massachusetts College of Art and Design (162 graduates a year), Boston University (72 graduates a year) and Northeastern University (71 graduates a year) award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Massachusetts, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 40 Massachusetts colleges offer Design and Applied Arts.
What is the best college for Design and Applied Arts in Massachusetts?+
By graduate earnings, Wentworth Institute of Technology leads among bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in Massachusetts, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $50,599, College Scorecard. Northeastern University and Boston University follow. By degrees awarded, Massachusetts College of Art and Design is the largest, with 162 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Design and Applied Arts program in Massachusetts has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Wentworth Institute of Technology tops the list at $50,599. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in Massachusetts?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Massachusetts is $79,690 (median $76,710), across about 4,450 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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