Best colleges for Design and Applied Arts in Virginia
Ranked by graduate earnings
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Radford University and Marymount University are the top bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in Virginia by graduate earnings. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $46,761, College Scorecard. Virginia Commonwealth University, Liberty University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Virginia: 398, 269 and 75 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 19 Virginia colleges offer Design and Applied Arts and award 1,026 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 6 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 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,761 | 75 | 86% | — | $25,802 |
| 2 | Radford University Radford Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,096 | 25 | 49% | — | $27,000 |
| 3 | Marymount University Arlington Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,180 | 22 | 54% | $25,803 | $27,000 |
| 4 | Liberty University Lynchburg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,019 | 269 | 65% | $28,911 | $26,000 |
| 5 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,872 | 398 | 63% | — | $25,937 |
| 6 | Longwood University Farmville Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $35,612 | 8 | 61% | — | $25,625 |
Top 3 certificate and associate programs
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 | Northern Virginia Community College Annandale Public · Associate degree | $33,232 | 59 | 33% | — | $18,250 |
| 2 | Tidewater Community College Norfolk Public · Associate degree | $22,935 | 93 | 32% | — | $12,320 |
| 3 | Virginia Western Community College Roanoke Public · Associate degree Small program | $31,440 | 11 | 40% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Virginia
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 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Public | 398 | $25,872 |
| 2 | Liberty University Lynchburg Private not-for-profit | 269 | $30,019 |
| 3 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg Public | 75 | $46,761 |
| 4 | Radford University Radford Public | 25 | $34,096 |
| 5 | Marymount University Arlington Private not-for-profit | 22 | $33,180 |
| 6 | Germanna Community College Locust Grove Public | 15 | Not reported |
| 7 | Virginia Peninsula Community College Hampton Public | 11 | Not reported |
| 8 | Regent University Virginia Beach Private not-for-profit | 8 | Not reported |
| 9 | Longwood University Farmville Public | 8 | $35,612 |
| 10 | Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave Public | 6 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 9 Virginia colleges offering Design and Applied Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tidewater Community College | Norfolk | Public | 93 |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Annandale | Public | 59 |
| Virginia Western Community College | Roanoke | Public | 11 |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Richmond | Public | 6 |
| Danville Community College | Danville | Public | 5 |
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | Charlottesville | Public | 5 |
| Southern Virginia University | Buena Vista | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Emory & Henry University | Emory | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Southwest Virginia Community College | Cedar Bluff | Public | 2 |
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 Virginia colleges award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees?+
Virginia Commonwealth University (398 graduates a year), Liberty University (269 graduates a year) and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (75 graduates a year) award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 19 Virginia colleges offer Design and Applied Arts.
What is the best college for Design and Applied Arts in Virginia?+
By graduate earnings, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University leads among bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in Virginia, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $46,761, College Scorecard. Radford University and Marymount University follow. By degrees awarded, Virginia Commonwealth University is the largest, with 398 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Design and Applied Arts program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University tops the list at $46,761. Compare it against graduates a year, 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 $76,670 (median $72,310), across about 4,740 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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