Best colleges for Design and Applied Arts in Rhode Island
Ranked by graduate earnings
Rhode Island School of Design, New England Institute of Technology and Rhode Island College award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees and certificates in Rhode Island: 131, 72 and 17 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 Rhode Island colleges offer Design and Applied Arts and award 246 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 2 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 | Rhode Island School of Design Providence Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $29,489 | 131 | 89% | $41,764 | $27,000 |
| 2 | New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich Private not-for-profit · Associate degree | $26,282 | 72 | 60% | $36,659 | $12,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Rhode Island
Top 5 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 | Rhode Island School of Design Providence Private not-for-profit | 131 | $29,489 |
| 2 | New England Institute of Technology East Greenwich Private not-for-profit | 72 | $26,282 |
| 3 | Rhode Island College Providence Public | 17 | Not reported |
| 4 | Roger Williams University Bristol Private not-for-profit | 16 | Not reported |
| 5 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence Providence Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 Rhode Island colleges offering Design and Applied Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Rhode Island | Warwick | Public | 4 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in Rhode Island
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in Rhode Island.
Which Rhode Island colleges award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees?+
Rhode Island School of Design (131 graduates a year), New England Institute of Technology (72 graduates a year) and Rhode Island College (17 graduates a year) award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees and certificates in Rhode Island, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 Rhode Island colleges offer Design and Applied Arts.
Which Design and Applied Arts program in Rhode Island has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Rhode Island School of Design tops the list at $29,489. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in Rhode Island?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Rhode Island is $78,900 (median $78,220), across about 750 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.
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