Texas · Design and Applied Arts

Best Design and Applied Arts institutions in Texas, ranked by earnings

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…

Institutions
51
offering CIP 50.04
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
2,082
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$39,333
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
14
College Scorecard
Median net price
$25,823
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
45%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Graphic Designers
$60,250
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1University of Houston
Houston Public · Bachelor's degree
$47,4614365%$27,000
2The University of Texas at Austin
Austin Public · Bachelor's degree
$44,50613189%$22,500
3Texas State University
San Marcos Public · Bachelor's degree
$44,39610955%$24,353
4Austin Community College District
Austin Public · Associate degree
$40,28920320%$19,939
5Sam Houston State University
Huntsville Public · Bachelor's degree
$39,9592555%$29,000
6Baylor University
Waco Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$39,3333480%$35,682$26,500
7Abilene Christian University
Abilene Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$38,5531459%$26,342$21,875
8University of North Texas
Denton Public · Bachelor's degree
$33,86714161%$22,288
9Collin County Community College District
McKinney Public · Associate degree
$33,45629820%$6,900
10Dallas College
Dallas Public · Associate degree
$31,4789032%$11,835

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+2.1%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~20,000
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$61,300
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Active ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingWritingActive LearningReading Comprehension

What Graphic Designers earn in Texas

Jobs in Texas
19,360
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$60,250
median $62,030
Best-paying metro
$64,360
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

Related careers

Graphic Designers
$60,250 avg · 19,360 jobs
Web and Digital Interface Designers
$99,930 avg · 7,360 jobs
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
$87,970 avg · 7,190 jobs
Interior Designers
$68,930 avg · 5,190 jobs
Photographers
$40,210 avg · 3,780 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in Texas.

Which Design and Applied Arts program in Texas has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), University of Houston tops the list at $47,461. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Graphic Designers earn in Texas?+

The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Texas is $60,250 (median $62,030), across about 19,360 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

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).

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