Best colleges for Design and Applied Arts in South Carolina
Ranked by graduate earnings
Clemson University, Winthrop University and Anderson University are the top bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in South Carolina by graduate earnings. Clemson University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $46,689, College Scorecard. Clemson University, Trident Technical College and Winthrop University award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in South Carolina: 104, 96 and 33 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 18 South Carolina colleges offer Design and Applied Arts and award 469 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 5 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 | Clemson University Clemson Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,689 | 104 | 87% | — | $26,000 |
| 2 | Winthrop University Rock Hill Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,119 | 33 | 57% | — | $29,917 |
| 3 | Anderson University Anderson Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $34,040 | 27 | 66% | $24,812 | $27,000 |
| 4 | Coastal Carolina University Conway Public · Bachelor's degree | $26,076 | 31 | 48% | — | $27,000 |
| 5 | Bob Jones University Greenville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $36,424 | 10 | 65% | $18,053 | $15,750 |
Top certificate or associate program
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 | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway Public · Associate degree | $22,024 | 32 | 38% | — | $17,500 |
Colleges awarding the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in South Carolina
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 | Clemson University Clemson Public | 104 | $46,689 |
| 2 | Trident Technical College Charleston Public | 96 | Not reported |
| 3 | Winthrop University Rock Hill Public | 33 | $40,119 |
| 4 | Coastal Carolina University Conway Public | 31 | $26,076 |
| 5 | Anderson University Anderson Private not-for-profit | 27 | $34,040 |
| 6 | York Technical College Rock Hill Public | 23 | Not reported |
| 7 | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood Public | 16 | Not reported |
| 8 | Charleston Southern University Charleston Private not-for-profit | 14 | Not reported |
| 9 | Furman University Greenville Private not-for-profit | 12 | Not reported |
| 10 | Bob Jones University Greenville Private not-for-profit | 10 | $36,424 |
ShowHide the other 8 South Carolina colleges offering Design and Applied Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horry-Georgetown Technical College | Conway | Public | 32 |
| Spartanburg Community College | Spartanburg | Public | 21 |
| Greenville Technical College | Greenville | Public | 15 |
| Midlands Technical College | West Columbia | Public | 12 |
| Tri-County Technical College | Pendleton | Public | 10 |
| Converse University | Spartanburg | Private not-for-profit | 9 |
| Coker University | Hartsville | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Newberry College | Newberry | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in South Carolina
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in South Carolina.
Which South Carolina colleges award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees?+
Clemson University (104 graduates a year), Trident Technical College (96 graduates a year) and Winthrop University (33 graduates a year) award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in South Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 18 South Carolina colleges offer Design and Applied Arts.
What is the best college for Design and Applied Arts in South Carolina?+
By graduate earnings, Clemson University leads among bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in South Carolina, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $46,689, College Scorecard. Winthrop University and Anderson University follow. By degrees awarded, Clemson University is the largest, with 104 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Design and Applied Arts program in South Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Clemson University tops the list at $46,689. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in South Carolina?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in South Carolina is $60,610 (median $57,170), across about 1,930 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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