Best institutions to study Industrial and Product Design
A program in the applied visual arts that prepares individuals to use artistic techniques to effectively communicate ideas and information to business and consumer audiences via the creation of effective forms, shapes, and packaging for manufactured products.
64 U.S. institutions graduated 1,432 Industrial and Product Design students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0404, a specialization of Design and Applied Arts (CIP 50.04), and leads most directly to the Commercial and Industrial Designers occupation (BLS SOC 27-1021).
About Industrial and Product Design programs
A program in the applied visual arts that prepares individuals to use artistic techniques to effectively communicate ideas and information to business and consumer audiences via the creation of effective forms, shapes, and packaging for manufactured products. Includes instruction in designing in a wide variety of plastic and digital media, prototype construction, design development and refinement, principles of cost saving, and product structure and performance criteria relevant to aesthetic design parameters.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Industrial and Product Design program, part of the Design and Applied Arts field, prepares students to effectively communicate ideas and information through the creation of innovative forms, shapes, and packaging for manufactured products. This program is ideal for individuals who are passionate about combining artistic techniques with practical applications in the visual arts.
Students will gain core skills in design, engineering, and technology, focusing on prototype construction, design development, and refinement. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, active learning, and the use of various media, including plastic and digital formats, to create functional and aesthetically pleasing products.
Credentials awarded
What Industrial and Product Design graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,193 graduates / yr · 56 institutions83%
- Master's degree121 graduates / yr · 11 institutions8.4%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate80 graduates / yr · 1 institution5.6%
- Associate's degree25 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.7%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year13 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.9%
Graduates over time
Industrial and Product Design completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,688 |
| 2013 | 1,769 |
| 2014 | 1,837 |
| 2015 | 1,819 |
| 2016 | 1,857 |
| 2017 | 2,023 |
| 2018 | 1,894 |
| 2019 | 1,995 |
| 2020 | 1,874 |
| 2021 | 1,791 |
| 2022 | 1,712 |
| 2023 | 1,349 |
| 2024 | 1,395 |
| 2025 | 1,432 |
Top 50 institutions for Industrial and Product Design, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pratt Institute - Main Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 115 | 74% | $49,088 | $36,040 |
| 2 | The New School New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 114 | 69% | $54,185 | $24,804 |
| 3 | Clemson University Clemson, SCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 104 | 87% | — | $46,689 |
| 4 | California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CAPublicPost-degree cert. | 80 | 70% | — | — |
| 5 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 61 | 70% | $28,133 | $34,709 |
| 6 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicBachelor's | 41 | 82% | — | $46,585 |
| 7 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicBachelor's | 41 | 59% | — | $52,431 |
| 8 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CAPublicBachelor's | 37 | 50% | — | $34,845 |
| 9 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 35 | 86% | — | $46,761 |
| 10 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor's | 33 | 68% | — | $35,960 |
| 11 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 32 | 62% | — | $34,377 |
| 12 | Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 32 | 68% | $32,713 | $50,599 |
| 13 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor's | 31 | 85% | — | $42,462 |
| 14 | Fashion Institute of Technology New York, NYPublicBachelor's | 29 | 81% | — | $14,361 |
| 15 | University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WIPublicBachelor's | 29 | 55% | — | $40,615 |
| 16 | Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 29 | 46% | $11,580 | — |
| 17 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicBachelor's | 28 | 69% | — | $37,395 |
| 18 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, COPublicBachelor's | 28 | 32% | — | $39,450 |
| 19 | Appalachian State University Boone, NCPublicBachelor's | 28 | 75% | — | $34,722 |
| 20 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicBachelor's | 28 | 65% | — | — |
| 21 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor's | 26 | 83% | — | $44,602 |
| 22 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 25 | 75% | — | $37,565 |
| 23 | San Jose State University San Jose, CAPublicBachelor's | 23 | 69% | — | — |
| 24 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor's | 23 | 85% | — | $44,930 |
| 25 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 20 | 84% | $28,851 | $46,181 |
| 26 | Cedarville University Cedarville, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 19 | 73% | $22,701 | $35,768 |
| 27 | University of Houston Houston, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 19 | 65% | — | $47,461 |
| 28 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor's | 19 | 85% | — | $63,449 |
| 29 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicBachelor's | 18 | 58% | — | $39,077 |
| 30 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor's | 18 | 88% | — | $45,176 |
| 31 | California College of the Arts San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 17 | 61% | $40,041 | $28,673 |
| 32 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 17 | 81% | $13,712 | $33,915 |
| 33 | GateWay Community College Phoenix, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 15 | 29% | — | — |
| 34 | Otis College of Art and Design Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 66% | $44,867 | $31,172 |
| 35 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicMaster's | 14 | 71% | — | $43,992 |
| 36 | Massachusetts College of Art and Design Boston, MAPublicBachelor's | 13 | 69% | — | $24,706 |
| 37 | Kean University Union, NJPublicBachelor's | 12 | 47% | — | $35,673 |
| 38 | Lawrence Technological University Southfield, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 61% | $32,679 | — |
| 39 | CUNY LaGuardia Community College Long Island City, NYPublicAssociate's | 10 | 24% | — | $13,554 |
| 40 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WAPublicBachelor's | 10 | 65% | — | $31,078 |
| 41 | University of Advancing Technology Tempe, AZPrivate for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 10 | 35% | $21,175 | $30,640 |
| 42 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, LAPublicBachelor's | 9 | 53% | — | $28,206 |
| 43 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicBachelor's | 8 | 71% | — | $42,168 |
| 44 | New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJPublicBachelor's | 8 | 73% | — | $38,975 |
| 45 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | 65% | $28,911 | $30,019 |
| 46 | Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 67% | $26,078 | $28,801 |
| 47 | Maryland Institute College of Art Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 72% | $37,659 | $27,246 |
| 48 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Gurabo Campus Gurabo, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 31% | $9,370 | $7,580 |
| 49 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PAPublicBachelor's | 7 | 53% | — | $45,572 |
| 50 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicMaster's | 6 | 71% | — | $41,782 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Design and Applied Arts field (CIP 50.04) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 30 states & territories
Where Industrial and Product Design graduates come from. Each state links to all Design and Applied Arts programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-1021, Commercial and Industrial Designers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Industrial and Product Design program can pursue careers as Commercial and Industrial Designers, among other roles. The job outlook in this field is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 3.2% and approximately 2,500 annual openings. The median wage for this occupation is $79,450, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 50.0404
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Commercial and Industrial Designersprimary SOC 27-1021 | $83,910 | +3.2% About as fast as average | ~2,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Graphic Designers SOC 27-1024 | $62,960 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~20,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1121 | $78,620 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~9,000 | Master's degree |
Designers, All Other SOC 27-1029 | $64,950 | +2.0% About as fast as average | ~2,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Industrial and Product Design programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Prepare sketches of ideas, detailed drawings, illustrations, artwork, or blueprints, using drafting instruments, paints and brushes, or computer-aided design equipment.
- Modify and refine designs, using working models, to conform with customer specifications, production limitations, or changes in design trends.
- Evaluate feasibility of design ideas, based on factors such as appearance, safety, function, serviceability, budget, production costs/methods, and market characteristics.
- Confer with engineering, marketing, production, or sales departments, or with customers, to establish and evaluate design concepts for manufactured products.
- Present designs and reports to customers or design committees for approval and discuss need for modification.
- Research production specifications, costs, production materials, and manufacturing methods and provide cost estimates and itemized production requirements.
Tools and technology used
Other Design and Applied Arts specializations
The 9 other 6-digit CIP codes under Design and Applied Arts (CIP 50.04).
- Graphic DesignCIP 50.040910,754 graduates / yr580 institutions
- Design and Visual CommunicationsCIP 50.04016,709 graduates / yr249 institutions
- Interior DesignCIP 50.04085,774 graduates / yr231 institutions
- Fashion/CIP 50.0407
Apparel Design 3,243 graduates / yr119 institutions - IllustrationCIP 50.04103,166 graduates / yr68 institutions
- Commercial and Advertising ArtCIP 50.04023,097 graduates / yr161 institutions
- Game and Interactive Media DesignCIP 50.04112,954 graduates / yr152 institutions
- Design and Applied ArtsCIP 50.04991,720 graduates / yr77 institutions
- Commercial PhotographyCIP 50.0406766 graduates / yr60 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, or an Associate's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, design, and engineering.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Commercial and Industrial Designer, Graphic Designer, or in other design-related roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.2% and around 2,500 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Industrial and Product Design?+
Industrial and Product Design is CIP 50.0404 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Design and Applied Arts (CIP 50.04). NCES defines it as: A program in the applied visual arts that prepares individuals to use artistic techniques to effectively communicate ideas and information to business and consumer audiences via the creation of effective forms, shapes, and packaging for manufactured products. Includes instruction in designing in a wide variety of plastic and digital media, prototype construction, design development and refinement, principles of cost saving, and product structure and performance criteria relevant to aesthetic design parameters.
How many institutions offer Industrial and Product Design programs?+
64 U.S. institutions reported Industrial and Product Design graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 30 states & territories, awarding 1,432 credentials in the year. That is 3.6% of all Design and Applied Arts graduates.
How much do Industrial and Product Design graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Commercial and Industrial Designers occupation, which Industrial and Product Design most directly leads to, pays a median of $83,910 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Design and Applied Arts field report median earnings of $35,673 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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