Minnesota · Design and Applied Arts

Best Design and Applied Arts institutions in Minnesota, ranked by earnings

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
28
offering CIP 50.04
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
732
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$38,587
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
14
College Scorecard
Median net price
$23,114
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
51%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Graphic Designers
$63,260
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Century College
White Bear Lake Public · Certificate degree
$43,77810031%$15,000
2University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis Public · Bachelor's degree
$42,46212885%$24,000
3Dunwoody College of Technology
Minneapolis Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$40,3021766%$25,132
4Bemidji State University
Bemidji Public · Bachelor's degree
$40,231848%$27,000
5Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Minneapolis Public · Associate degree
$40,23011720%$18,601
6Minnesota State University Moorhead
Moorhead Public · Bachelor's degree
$38,5871557%$27,000
7University of Northwestern - St Paul
Saint Paul Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$37,966868%$23,114
8Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud Public · Bachelor's degree
$34,6272140%
9Concordia University - Saint Paul
Saint Paul Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$34,384946%$17,328
10Rasmussen University - Minnesota
St. Cloud Private for-profit · Associate degree
$32,2463253%$19,944$28,722

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 Minnesota

Jobs in Minnesota
5,460
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$63,260
median $58,590
Best-paying metro
$67,160
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI

Related careers

Graphic Designers
$63,260 avg · 5,460 jobs
Web and Digital Interface Designers
$89,790 avg · 1,510 jobs
Interior Designers
$69,850 avg · 1,330 jobs
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
$84,320 avg · 1,260 jobs
Art Directors
$109,120 avg · 1,120 jobs

Common questions

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

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Century College tops the list at $43,778. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Graphic Designers earn in Minnesota?+

The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Minnesota is $63,260 (median $58,590), across about 5,460 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

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).

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