Best colleges for Design and Applied Arts in Nebraska
Ranked by graduate earnings
Central Community College, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Southeast Community College Area award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees and certificates in Nebraska: 80, 54 and 15 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 14 Nebraska colleges offer Design and Applied Arts and award 315 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 institutions, 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 Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,585 | 54 | 67% | — | $21,500 |
| 2 | Bellevue University Bellevue Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Online | $39,313 | 48 | 33% | $29,230 | $29,688 |
| 3 | Metropolitan Community College Area Omaha Public · Associate degree | $29,902 | 65 | 29% | — | $12,526 |
Colleges awarding the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Nebraska
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 | Central Community College Grand Island Public | 80 | Not reported |
| 2 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln Public | 54 | $38,585 |
| 3 | Southeast Community College Area Lincoln Public | 15 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of Nebraska at Kearney Kearney Public | 13 | Not reported |
| 5 | Northeast Community College Norfolk Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 6 | Creighton University Omaha Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 7 | Wayne State College Wayne Public | 6 | Not reported |
| 8 | Concordia University - Nebraska Seward Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 9 | Doane University Crete Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 10 | Mid-Plains Community College North Platte Public | 3 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 4 Nebraska colleges offering Design and Applied Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Community College Area | Omaha | Public | 65 |
| Bellevue University (Online) | Bellevue | Private not-for-profit | 48 |
| Union Adventist University | Lincoln | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Peru State College | Peru | Public | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in Nebraska
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in Nebraska.
Which Nebraska colleges award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees?+
Central Community College (80 graduates a year), University of Nebraska-Lincoln (54 graduates a year) and Southeast Community College Area (15 graduates a year) award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees and certificates in Nebraska, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 14 Nebraska colleges offer Design and Applied Arts.
Which Design and Applied Arts program in Nebraska has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Nebraska-Lincoln tops the list at $38,585. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in Nebraska?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Nebraska is $58,000 (median $56,700), across about 1,670 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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card