Best colleges for Design and Applied Arts in West Virginia
Ranked by graduate earnings
West Virginia University, Concord University and West Liberty University award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees and certificates in West Virginia: 73, 9 and 7 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 West Virginia colleges offer Design and Applied Arts and award 103 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 institution, 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 | West Virginia University Morgantown Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,847 | 73 | 65% | — | $25,500 |
Colleges awarding the most Design and Applied Arts degrees in West Virginia
Top 6 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). 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 | West Virginia University Morgantown Public | 73 | $39,847 |
| 2 | Concord University Athens Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 3 | West Liberty University West Liberty Public | 7 | Not reported |
| 4 | Pierpont Community and Technical College Fairmont Public | 6 | Not reported |
| 5 | Davis & Elkins College Elkins Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 6 | West Virginia Wesleyan College Buckhannon Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 West Virginia colleges offering Design and Applied Arts
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountwest Community and Technical College | Huntington | Public | 5 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024).
Top skills
What Graphic Designers earn in West Virginia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Design and Applied Arts programs in West Virginia.
Which West Virginia colleges award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees?+
West Virginia University (73 graduates a year), Concord University (9 graduates a year) and West Liberty University (7 graduates a year) award the most Design and Applied Arts degrees and certificates in West Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 West Virginia colleges offer Design and Applied Arts.
Which Design and Applied Arts program in West Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, West Virginia University tops the list at $39,847. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Graphic Designers earn in West Virginia?+
The average annual wage for Graphic Designers in West Virginia is $45,600 (median $40,350), across about 520 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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