Best colleges for Design and Applied Arts in Washington
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Washington-Seattle Campus, Bellevue College and Washington State University are the top bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in Washington by graduate earnings. University of Washington-Seattle Campus leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $63,449, College Scorecard. Washington State University, Bellevue College and Western Washington University award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Washington: 66, 61 and 51 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 21 Washington colleges offer Design and Applied Arts and award 568 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 7 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 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle Public · Bachelor's degree | $63,449 | 42 | 85% | — | $12,250 |
| 2 | Bellevue College Bellevue Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,947 | 61 | 36% | — | $33,660 |
| 3 | Washington State University Pullman Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,823 | 66 | 60% | — | $22,802 |
| 4 | Seattle Pacific University Seattle Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,248 | 29 | 62% | $24,653 | $26,000 |
| 5 | Western Washington University Bellingham Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,078 | 51 | 65% | — | $20,000 |
| 6 | Northwest College of Art & Design Tacoma Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,694 | 26 | 58% | $22,413 | $30,750 |
| 7 | Walla Walla University College Place Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $28,436 | 5 | 60% | $22,260 | $28,000 |
Top 2 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 | Seattle Central College Seattle Public · Associate degree | $29,775 | 49 | 32% | — | $14,085 |
| 2 | Spokane Falls Community College Spokane Public · Associate degree | $21,508 | 36 | 32% | — | $14,657 |
Colleges awarding the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Washington
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 | Washington State University Pullman Public | 66 | $44,823 |
| 2 | Bellevue College Bellevue Public | 61 | $45,947 |
| 3 | Western Washington University Bellingham Public | 51 | $31,078 |
| 4 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle Public | 42 | $63,449 |
| 5 | Bates Technical College Tacoma Public | 29 | Not reported |
| 6 | Seattle Pacific University Seattle Private not-for-profit | 29 | $39,248 |
| 7 | Clover Park Technical College Lakewood Public | 26 | Not reported |
| 8 | Northwest College of Art & Design Tacoma Private for-profit | 26 | $27,694 |
| 9 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology Kirkland Public | 22 | Not reported |
| 10 | Highline College Des Moines Public | 21 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 11 Washington colleges offering Design and Applied Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Central College | Seattle | Public | 49 |
| Shoreline College | Shoreline | Public | 44 |
| Spokane Falls Community College | Spokane | Public | 36 |
| Seattle University | Seattle | Private not-for-profit | 16 |
| Eastern Washington University | Cheney | Public | 15 |
| Academy of Interactive Entertainment | Seattle | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| Whitworth University | Spokane | Private not-for-profit | 10 |
| Walla Walla University | College Place | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Olympic College | Bremerton | Public | 4 |
| Walla Walla Community College | Walla Walla | Public | 3 |
| Wenatchee Valley College | Wenatchee | Public | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in Washington
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in Washington.
Which Washington colleges award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees?+
Washington State University (66 graduates a year), Bellevue College (61 graduates a year) and Western Washington University (51 graduates a year) award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in Washington, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 21 Washington colleges offer Design and Applied Arts.
What is the best college for Design and Applied Arts in Washington?+
By graduate earnings, University of Washington-Seattle Campus leads among bachelor's Design and Applied Arts programs in Washington, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $63,449, College Scorecard. Bellevue College and Washington State University follow. By degrees awarded, Washington State University is the largest, with 66 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Design and Applied Arts program in Washington has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Washington-Seattle Campus tops the list at $63,449. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in Washington?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in Washington is $77,910 (median $72,710), across about 3,960 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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