North Carolina · Design and Applied Arts

Best Design and Applied Arts institutions in North Carolina, 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
47
offering CIP 50.04
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
2,517
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$33,536
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
13
College Scorecard
Median net price
$23,108
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
48%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Graphic Designers
$61,010
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
1North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh Public · Bachelor's degree
$44,9306885%$20,500
2East Carolina University
Greenville Public · Bachelor's degree
$39,9921963%$25,000
3University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro Public · Bachelor's degree
$38,8584056%$26,000
4Meredith College
Raleigh Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$36,3572770%$19,552$25,000
5Appalachian State University
Boone Public · Bachelor's degree
$34,72211975%$21,500
6William Peace University
Raleigh Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$33,5362245%$23,108$24,978
7Western Carolina University
Cullowhee Public · Bachelor's degree
$32,8422260%$29,911
8Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh Public · Certificate degree
$32,15348133%$13,414
9Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$31,6111861%$24,872$27,000
10Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte Public · Associate degree
$30,97962631%

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 North Carolina

Jobs in North Carolina
7,210
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$61,010
median $50,600
Best-paying metro
$63,840
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Related careers

Graphic Designers
$61,010 avg · 7,210 jobs
Web and Digital Interface Designers
$97,030 avg · 3,360 jobs
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
$71,290 avg · 2,980 jobs
Interior Designers
$58,530 avg · 2,360 jobs
Photographers
$51,200 avg · 1,620 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in North Carolina.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), North Carolina State University at Raleigh tops the list at $44,930. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Graphic Designers earn in North Carolina?+

The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in North Carolina is $61,010 (median $50,600), across about 7,210 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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