Best colleges for Design and Applied Arts in New Jersey
Ranked by graduate earnings
New Jersey Institute of Technology, Kean University and Rutgers University - New Brunswick are the top bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in New Jersey by graduate earnings. New Jersey Institute of Technology leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,975, College Scorecard. Montclair State University, Kean University and Berkeley College - Woodland Park award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in New Jersey: 77, 76 and 53 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 24 New Jersey colleges offer Design and Applied Arts and award 571 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 8 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 | New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,975 | 25 | 73% | — | $27,000 |
| 2 | Kean University Union Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,673 | 76 | 47% | — | $26,713 |
| 3 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,397 | 42 | 84% | — | $27,000 |
| 4 | Berkeley College - Woodland Park Woodland Park Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,937 | 53 | 44% | $23,170 | $30,398 |
| 5 | Montclair State University Montclair Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,027 | 77 | 65% | — | $26,000 |
| 6 | Rider University Lawrenceville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $29,445 | 12 | 61% | $23,844 | — |
| 7 | Centenary University Hackettstown Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $26,569 | 7 | 56% | $17,490 | $27,000 |
| 8 | Fairleigh Dickinson University - Florham Campus Madison Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $24,357 | 17 | 67% | $23,573 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in New Jersey
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 | Montclair State University Montclair Public | 77 | $26,027 |
| 2 | Kean University Union Public | 76 | $35,673 |
| 3 | Berkeley College - Woodland Park Woodland Park Private for-profit | 53 | $27,937 |
| 4 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick Public | 42 | $32,397 |
| 5 | Brookdale Community College Lincroft Public | 40 | Not reported |
| 6 | New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark Public | 25 | $38,975 |
| 7 | Rowan College at Burlington County Mount Laurel Public | 21 | Not reported |
| 8 | Sussex County Community College Newton Public | 18 | Not reported |
| 9 | County College of Morris Randolph Public | 17 | Not reported |
| 10 | Fairleigh Dickinson University - Florham Campus Madison Private not-for-profit | 17 | $24,357 |
ShowHide the other 14 New Jersey colleges offering Design and Applied Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bergen Community College | Paramus | Public | 45 |
| Mercer County Community College | West Windsor | Public | 41 |
| Monmouth University | West Long Branch | Private not-for-profit | 17 |
| Seton Hall University | South Orange | Private not-for-profit | 15 |
| Raritan Valley Community College | Branchburg | Public | 14 |
| Rowan University | Glassboro | Public | 12 |
| Rider University | Lawrenceville | Private not-for-profit | 12 |
| Ocean County Vocational-Technical School | Toms River | Public | 10 |
| Centenary University | Hackettstown | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Passaic County Community College | Paterson | Public | 4 |
| Caldwell University | Caldwell | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Salem Community College | Carneys Point | Public | 3 |
| Atlantic Cape Community College | Mays Landing | Public | 1 |
| William Paterson University of New Jersey | Wayne | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in New Jersey
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in New Jersey.
Which New Jersey colleges award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees?+
Montclair State University (77 graduates a year), Kean University (76 graduates a year) and Berkeley College - Woodland Park (53 graduates a year) award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in New Jersey, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 24 New Jersey colleges offer Design and Applied Arts.
What is the best college for Design and Applied Arts in New Jersey?+
By graduate earnings, New Jersey Institute of Technology leads among bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in New Jersey, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,975, College Scorecard. Kean University and Rutgers University - New Brunswick follow. By degrees awarded, Montclair State University is the largest, with 77 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Design and Applied Arts program in New Jersey has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, New Jersey Institute of Technology tops the list at $38,975. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in New Jersey?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in New Jersey is $79,430 (median $73,790), across about 5,670 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.
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