Best Design and Applied Arts institutions in Virginia, 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…
Top 9 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,761 | 78 | 86% | — | $25,802 |
| 2 | Longwood University Farmville Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,612 | 9 | 61% | — | $25,625 |
| 3 | Radford University Radford Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,096 | 23 | 49% | — | $27,000 |
| 4 | Northern Virginia Community College Annandale Public · Associate degree | $33,232 | 63 | 33% | — | $18,250 |
| 5 | Marymount University Arlington Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,180 | 24 | 54% | $25,803 | $27,000 |
| 6 | Virginia Western Community College Roanoke Public · Associate degree | $31,440 | 15 | 40% | — | — |
| 7 | Liberty University Lynchburg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,019 | 292 | 65% | $28,911 | $26,000 |
| 8 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,872 | 365 | 63% | — | $25,937 |
| 9 | Tidewater Community College Norfolk Public · Associate degree | $22,935 | 80 | 32% | — | $12,320 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in Virginia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in Virginia.
Which Design and Applied Arts program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University tops the list at $46,761. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in Virginia?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Virginia is $75,060 (median $70,060), across about 5,500 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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