Washington · Design and Applied Arts

Best Design and Applied Arts institutions in Washington, 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
21
offering CIP 50.04
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
565
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$31,078
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
9
College Scorecard
Median net price
$24,653
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
51%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Graphic Designers
$83,550
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 9 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

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

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1University of Washington - Seattle Campus
Seattle Public · Bachelor's degree
$63,4493685%$12,250
2Bellevue College
Bellevue Public · Bachelor's degree
$45,9475136%$33,660
3Washington State University
Pullman Public · Bachelor's degree
$44,8235560%$22,802
4Seattle Pacific University
Seattle Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$39,2482662%$24,653$26,000
5Western Washington University
Bellingham Public · Bachelor's degree
$31,0783865%$20,000
6Seattle Central College
Seattle Public · Associate degree
$29,7757032%$14,085
7Walla Walla University
College Place Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$28,4361460%$22,260$28,000
8Northwest College of Art & Design
Tacoma Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$27,6942558%$22,413$30,750
9Spokane Falls Community College
Spokane Public · Associate degree
$21,5083732%$14,657

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 Washington

Jobs in Washington
5,460
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$83,550
median $76,010
Best-paying metro
$89,500
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Related careers

Web and Digital Interface Designers
$137,540 avg · 7,840 jobs
Graphic Designers
$83,550 avg · 5,460 jobs
Special Effects Artists and Animators
avg · 2,510 jobs
Art Directors
$154,700 avg · 1,740 jobs
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
$77,850 avg · 1,440 jobs
Interior Designers
$81,030 avg · 1,440 jobs

Common questions

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

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), University of Washington - Seattle Campus tops the list at $63,449. Compare it against completions, 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 $83,550 (median $76,010), across about 5,460 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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