Best colleges for Design and Applied Arts in Puerto Rico
Ranked by graduate earnings
NUC University, Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus and Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees and certificates in Puerto Rico: 242, 55 and 32 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 23 Puerto Rico colleges offer Design and Applied Arts and award 627 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 institutions, 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 | NUC University Bayamon Private for-profit · Certificate | $9,509 | 242 | 54% | $9,377 | $5,750 |
| 2 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus Gurabo Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $7,580 | 55 | 31% | $9,370 | $11,250 |
| 3 | EDP University of Puerto Rico Inc-San Juan San Juan Private not-for-profit · Associate degree | $12,994 | 43 | 24% | $5,708 | $7,900 |
Colleges awarding the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Puerto Rico
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). 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 | NUC University Bayamon Private for-profit | 242 | $9,509 |
| 2 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus Gurabo Private not-for-profit | 55 | $7,580 |
| 3 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla Aguadilla Private not-for-profit | 32 | Not reported |
| 4 | Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce Ponce Private not-for-profit | 28 | Not reported |
| 5 | Colegio de Cinematografía Artes y Television Bayamon Private for-profit | 27 | Not reported |
| 6 | Academia Serrant Inc Ponce Private for-profit | 25 | Not reported |
| 7 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-San German San German Private not-for-profit | 24 | Not reported |
| 8 | Liceo de Arte y Tecnologia San Juan Private for-profit | 19 | Not reported |
| 9 | University of Puerto Rico-Carolina Carolina Public | 19 | Not reported |
| 10 | Atlantic University Guaynabo Private not-for-profit | 16 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 13 Puerto Rico colleges offering Design and Applied Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDP University of Puerto Rico Inc-San Juan | San Juan | Private not-for-profit | 43 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon | Bayamon | Private not-for-profit | 14 |
| Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico | Hato Rey | Private not-for-profit | 14 |
| Universidad Adventista de las Antillas | Mayaguez | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| Escuela de Artes Plasticas y Diseno de Puerto Rico | San Juan | Public | 10 |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus | Carolina | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| EDP University of Puerto Rico Inc-San Sebastian | San Sebastian | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Fajardo | Fajardo | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| EDP University of Puerto Rico-Manati | Manati | Private not-for-profit | 8 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Guayama | Guayama | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Institucion Chaviano de Mayaguez | Mayaguez | Private for-profit | 4 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Barranquitas | Barranquitas | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro | San Juan | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in Puerto Rico
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in Puerto Rico.
Which Puerto Rico colleges award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees?+
NUC University (242 graduates a year), Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus (55 graduates a year) and Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla (32 graduates a year) award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees and certificates in Puerto Rico, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 23 Puerto Rico colleges offer Design and Applied Arts.
Which Design and Applied Arts program in Puerto Rico has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, NUC University tops the list at $9,509. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in Puerto Rico?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Puerto Rico is $40,860 (median $34,180), across about 1,280 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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