Best colleges for Design and Applied Arts
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Design and Applied Arts by graduate earnings are Carnegie Mellon University ($66,274), University of Southern California ($64,846) and University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($63,449), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA): $66,274, 39 graduates a year
- University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA): $64,846, 85 graduates a year
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus (Seattle, WA): $63,449, 42 graduates a year
- University of California-Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA): $57,615, 62 graduates a year
- University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH): $52,526, 142 graduates a year
Compare 1,080 U.S. colleges offering Design and Applied Arts by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 53 states.
Design and Applied Arts programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $32,240 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 50.04 and the Graphic Designers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Design and Applied Arts programs
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 blending creativity with functionality, preparing them for various roles in the design industry.
Students in this program acquire essential skills in design principles, visual communication, and the use of technology. Coursework covers areas such as graphic design, interior design, and fashion design, equipping learners with the knowledge needed to create effective and appealing designs.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $66,274 | 39 | 94% | $23,803 | $24,500 |
| 2 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $64,846 | 85 | 92% | $26,873 | $18,262 |
| 3 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $63,449 | 42 | 85% | — | $12,250 |
| 4 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,615 | 62 | 93% | — | $20,000 |
| 5 | University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $52,526 | 142 | 75% | — | $25,851 |
| 6 | Utah State University Logan, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $52,431 | 41 | 59% | — | — |
| 7 | Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $50,599 | 51 | 68% | $32,713 | $27,000 |
| 8 | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,780 | 140 | 90% | — | $20,875 |
| 9 | Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,727 | 71 | 91% | $18,925 | $28,250 |
| 10 | Boston University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $49,254 | 72 | 89% | $21,956 | $21,250 |
| 11 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,144 | 39 | 86% | — | $22,250 |
| 12 | University of Houston Houston, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,461 | 44 | 65% | — | $27,000 |
| 13 | Suffolk University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,415 | 30 | 61% | $28,895 | $27,000 |
| 14 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $47,295 | 20 | 80% | — | $26,000 |
| 15 | Art Center College of Design Pasadena, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,053 | 230 | 79% | $48,578 | $31,050 |
| 16 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,825 | 20 | 95% | $19,452 | $20,250 |
| 17 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,761 | 75 | 86% | — | $25,802 |
| 18 | Clemson University Clemson, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,689 | 104 | 87% | — | $26,000 |
| 19 | Auburn University Auburn, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,585 | 150 | 82% | — | $26,000 |
| 20 | Chapman University Orange, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,519 | 33 | 82% | $42,965 | $23,000 |
| 21 | Park University Parkville, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,340 | 20 | 38% | $16,013 | $20,750 |
| 22 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,181 | 124 | 84% | $28,851 | $27,000 |
| 23 | Bellevue College Bellevue, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,947 | 61 | 36% | — | $33,660 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,572 | 20 | 53% | — | $27,000 |
| 25 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,176 | 51 | 88% | — | $25,100 |
Top 5 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 | Gnomon North Hollywood, CA Private for-profit · Certificate | $80,221 | 23 | 100% | $44,138 | $38,000 |
| 2 | Miami Ad School - Atlanta Atlanta, GA Private for-profit · Certificate | $56,833 | 64 | — | $28,032 | — |
| 3 | Miami Ad School Miami, FL Private for-profit · Certificate | $56,833 | 60 | — | — | — |
| 4 | Interior Designers Institute Newport Beach, CA Private for-profit · Associate degree | $52,768 | 45 | — | — | $23,814 |
| 5 | Century College White Bear Lake, MN Public · Certificate | $43,778 | 91 | 31% | — | $15,000 |
Specializations within Design and Applied Arts
10 of the 10 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 50.04 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Graphic DesignCIP 50.040910,754 graduates / yr580 institutions51 states
- Design and Visual CommunicationsCIP 50.04016,709 graduates / yr249 institutions45 states
- Interior DesignCIP 50.04085,774 graduates / yr231 institutions41 states
- Fashion/CIP 50.0407
Apparel Design 3,243 graduates / yr119 institutions32 states - IllustrationCIP 50.04103,166 graduates / yr68 institutions29 states
- Commercial and Advertising ArtCIP 50.04023,097 graduates / yr161 institutions37 states
- Game and Interactive Media DesignCIP 50.04112,954 graduates / yr152 institutions42 states
- Design and Applied ArtsCIP 50.04991,720 graduates / yr77 institutions30 states
- Industrial and Product DesignCIP 50.04041,432 graduates / yr64 institutions30 states
- Commercial PhotographyCIP 50.0406766 graduates / yr60 institutions27 states
Offered across 53 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-1024, Graphic Designers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Design and Applied Arts program can pursue careers in various fields, including graphic design, industrial design, and commercial photography. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 2.1% and approximately 20,000 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is $61,300, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Design and Applied Arts
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 50.04.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 50.04 (Design and Applied Arts) maps to 14 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 15-1255 | Web and Digital Interface Designers |
| 25-1031 | Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1121 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1199 | Postsecondary Teachers, All Other |
| 27-1011 | Art Directors |
| 27-1014 | Special Effects Artists and Animators |
| 27-1019 | Artists and Related Workers, All Other |
| 27-1021 | Commercial and Industrial Designers |
| 27-1022 | Fashion Designers |
| 27-1024 | Graphic Designersprimary |
| 27-1025 | Interior Designers |
| 27-1027 | Set and Exhibit Designers |
| 27-1029 | Designers, All Other |
| 27-4021 | Photographers |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Design and Applied Arts programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor.
- Review final layouts and suggest improvements, as needed.
- Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and size of type.
- Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites.
- Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
- Use computer software to generate new images.
Common questions
What types of specializations are available?+
Specializations include Design and Visual Communications, Commercial and Advertising Art, Industrial and Product Design, and more.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, writing, and various design techniques.
What is the typical educational requirement for careers in this field?+
Most careers in Design and Applied Arts require a Bachelor's degree.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.1% and around 20,000 annual openings.
How much do Design and Applied Arts graduates earn?+
Design and Applied Arts graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $32,240, College Scorecard (2019); the Graphic Designers occupation pays about $70,560 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Design and Applied Arts?+
Design and Applied Arts maps to CIP 50.04 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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