Best colleges for Design and Applied Arts in Oklahoma
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Central Oklahoma, University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus and Oklahoma Christian University are the top bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in Oklahoma by graduate earnings. University of Central Oklahoma leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $42,619, College Scorecard. University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus, Tulsa Technology Center and Oklahoma State University award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Oklahoma: 73, 68 and 51 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 29 Oklahoma colleges offer Design and Applied Arts and award 600 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 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 | University of Central Oklahoma Edmond Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,619 | 36 | 37% | — | $15,875 |
| 2 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,755 | 73 | 75% | — | $27,000 |
| 3 | Oklahoma Christian University Edmond Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,466 | 22 | 56% | $21,964 | $27,000 |
Top 3 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clary Sage College Tulsa Private not-for-profit · Certificate | $17,889 | 23 | 80% | $23,767 | $10,941 |
| 2 | Oklahoma City Community College Oklahoma City Public · Associate degree | $30,101 | 33 | 27% | — | $14,250 |
| 3 | Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology Okmulgee Public · Associate degree Small program | $28,438 | 5 | 42% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Oklahoma
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 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman Public | 73 | $37,755 |
| 2 | Tulsa Technology Center Tulsa Public | 68 | Not reported |
| 3 | Oklahoma State University Stillwater Public | 51 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of Central Oklahoma Edmond Public | 36 | $42,619 |
| 5 | Moore Norman Technology Center Norman Public | 29 | Not reported |
| 6 | Kiamichi Technology Center - McAlester McAlester Public | 29 | Not reported |
| 7 | Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center Choctaw Public | 27 | Not reported |
| 8 | Canadian Valley Technology Center El Reno Public | 25 | Not reported |
| 9 | Gordon Cooper Technology Center Shawnee Public | 24 | Not reported |
| 10 | Oklahoma Christian University Edmond Private not-for-profit | 22 | $31,466 |
ShowHide the other 19 Oklahoma colleges offering Design and Applied Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Community College | Oklahoma City | Public | 33 |
| Clary Sage College | Tulsa | Private not-for-profit | 23 |
| Metro Technology Centers | Oklahoma City | Public | 20 |
| Southern Oklahoma Technology Center | Ardmore | Public | 18 |
| Mid-America Technology Center | Wayne | Public | 16 |
| Francis Tuttle Technology Center | Oklahoma City | Public | 13 |
| Central Technology Center | Drumright | Public | 12 |
| Autry Technology Center | Enid | Public | 12 |
| Oklahoma Baptist University | Shawnee | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| Meridian Technology Center | Stillwater | Public | 9 |
| Red River Technology Center | Duncan | Public | 8 |
| Southwest Technology Center | Altus | Public | 8 |
| Southwestern Oklahoma State University | Weatherford | Public | 7 |
| Oklahoma City University | Oklahoma City | Private not-for-profit | 6 |
| Pontotoc Technology Center | Ada | Public | 5 |
| Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology | Okmulgee | Public | 5 |
| Pioneer Technology Center | Ponca City | Public | 5 |
| Chisholm Trail Technology Center | Omega | Public | 4 |
| Northwest Technology Center - Alva | Alva | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in Oklahoma
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in Oklahoma.
Which Oklahoma colleges award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees?+
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus (73 graduates a year), Tulsa Technology Center (68 graduates a year) and Oklahoma State University (51 graduates a year) award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Oklahoma, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 29 Oklahoma colleges offer Design and Applied Arts.
What is the best college for Design and Applied Arts in Oklahoma?+
By graduate earnings, University of Central Oklahoma leads among bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in Oklahoma, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $42,619, College Scorecard. University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus and Oklahoma Christian University follow. By degrees awarded, University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus is the largest, with 73 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Design and Applied Arts program in Oklahoma has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Central Oklahoma tops the list at $42,619. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in Oklahoma?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Oklahoma is $55,570 (median $53,630), across about 2,040 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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