Bachelor’s Degrees in Design & Applied Arts
Education Levels of Design Majors
During the most recent year for which data is available, 19,777 people earned their bachelor's degree in design. This makes it the 27th most popular bachelor's degree program in the country.
The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in design at each degree level.
| Education Level | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 19,777 |
| Associate Degree | 7,578 |
| Basic Certificate | 4,459 |
| Undergraduate Certificate | 2,420 |
| Master’s Degree | 1,688 |
| Graduate Certificate | 77 |
| Doctor’s Degree | 20 |
Earnings of Design Majors With Bachelor’s Degrees
The median salary for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in design is $32,606. A lot of factors can contribute to this number, such as the location of your workplace and the availability of other perks and bonuses. To get a better picture, earnings for this category of people can range from a low of $27,762 to a high of $38,600.
Student Debt
The median student debt for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in design is $36,178. The school you go to and how long it takes you to graduate, among other things, can cause this number to vary. The chart below shows the range of accumulated debt loads. On the high side of the range, $59,361 is the debt load, and the debt load on the low side is $27,028.
The median monthly payment of a design graduate with a 10-year repayment plan is $430.
Student Diversity
More women than men pursue their bachelor's degree in design. About 72.1% of graduates with this degree are female.
| Gender | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Men | 5,522 |
| Women | 14,255 |
The racial-ethnic distribution of design bachelor’s degree students is as follows:
| Race/Ethnicity | Number of Grads |
|---|---|
| Asian | 1,932 |
| Black or African American | 1,341 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 2,883 |
| White | 10,158 |
| International Students | 1,768 |
| Other Races/Ethnicities | 1,695 |
Most Popular Design Programs for Bachelor’s Degrees
There are 650 colleges that offer a bachelor’s degree in design. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:
Savannah College of Art and Design tops the list of the most popular school in the U.S. for design majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree. Each year, around 14,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $40,095 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $41,085 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 824 people received their bachelor's degree in design from SCAD. Around 24% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 79% were women. Savannah College of Art and Design design graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $32,606.
The 2nd most popular school in the country for design majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Fashion Institute of Technology. Each year, around 8,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $7,170 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $11,542 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 607 people received their bachelor's degree in design from FIT SUNY. Of these students, 84% were women and 50% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Fashion Institute of Technology design graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $32,606.
Pratt Institute - Main is the 3rd most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in design. Each year, around 4,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $57,659 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $37,044 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 400 people received their bachelor's degree in design from Pratt Institute. Of these students, 81% were women and 31% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Pratt Institute - Main design graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $32,606.
Southern New Hampshire University comes in at #4 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in design. Each year, around 134,300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $15,450 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,467 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 388 people received their bachelor's degree in design from SNHU. Around 30% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 68% were women. Data shows that SNHU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $32,606.
The New School is the 5th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in design. Each year, around 9,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $54,995 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $51,702 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 366 people received their bachelor's degree in design from New School University. Of these students, 81% were women and 28% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in design at The New School make a median salary of 32,606.
Virginia Commonwealth University is the 6th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in design. Roughly 29,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $12,850 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,404 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 302 people received their bachelor's degree in design from VCU. Around 44% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 79% were women. Data shows that VCU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $32,606.
Columbia College Chicago is the 7th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in design. Roughly 6,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $30,734 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $1,270 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 271 people received their bachelor's degree in design from Columbia. Around 56% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 68% were women. Data shows that Columbia graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $32,606.
Art Center College of Design is the 8th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in design. Roughly 2,100 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $50,606 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $53,484 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 252 people received their bachelor's degree in design from Art Center College of Design. Around 62% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 75% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in design at Art Center College of Design make a median salary of 32,606.
Full Sail University comes in at #9 on our list of the most popular colleges offering bachelor's degrees in design. Roughly 24,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $26,417 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $19,401 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 240 people received their bachelor's degree in design from Full Sail University. Around 44% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 64% were women. Data shows that Full Sail University graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $32,606.
The 10th most popular school in the country for design majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Iowa State University. Roughly 31,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $8,982 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $10,996 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 239 people received their bachelor's degree in design from Iowa State. About 70% of this group were women, and 18% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Iowa State graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $32,606.
The 11th most popular school in the country for design majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is University of Cincinnati - Main Campus. Each year, around 40,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,228 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $13,224 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 235 people received their bachelor's degree in design from UC. About 81% of this group were women, and 14% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in design at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus make a median salary of 32,606.
University of California - Davis is the 12th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in design. Roughly 39,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,834 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,264 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 228 people received their bachelor's degree in design from UC Davis. Of these students, 77% were women and 72% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. University of California - Davis design graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $32,606.
Kent State University at Kent is the 13th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in design. Each year, around 26,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,595 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,483 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 223 people received their bachelor's degree in design from Kent State. About 86% of this group were women, and 24% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Kent State University at Kent design graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $32,606.
San Jose State University is the 14th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in design. Each year, around 36,200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 201 people received their bachelor's degree in design from San Jose State. Around 64% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 71% were women. San Jose State University design graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $32,606.
Massachusetts College of Art and Design is the 15th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in design. Roughly 1,800 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $1,030 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $25,500 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 194 people received their bachelor's degree in design from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Of these students, 77% were women and 29% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Massachusetts College of Art and Design design graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $32,606.
Drexel University is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in design. Each year, around 23,500 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $58,293 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $36,234 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 193 people received their bachelor's degree in design from Drexel. About 82% of this group were women, and 44% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Data shows that Drexel graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $32,606.
San Francisco State University is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in design. Roughly 27,300 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,742 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $7,176 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 193 people received their bachelor's degree in design from SFSU. Around 67% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 61% were women. Data shows that SFSU graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $32,606.
The 18th most popular school in the country for design majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is School of Visual Arts. Each year, around 3,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $49,140 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $55,040 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 186 people received their bachelor's degree in design from SVA. Of these students, 82% were women and 26% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Data shows that SVA graduates that hold this degree go on to make a median salary of $32,606.
Arizona State University - Tempe is the 19th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a bachelor's degree in design. Roughly 74,700 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $11,308 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $12,376 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 183 people received their bachelor's degree in design from ASU - Tempe. Of these students, 77% were women and 39% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Arizona State University - Tempe design graduates who receive their bachelor's degree go on to jobs earning a median salary of $32,606.
The 20th most popular school in the country for design majors who are seeking their bachelor's degree is Appalachian State University. Roughly 20,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,242 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $5,081 per year. During the most recent year for which we have data, 167 people received their bachelor's degree in design from Appalachian State. Around 21% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 68% were women. Those who complete their bachelor's degree in design at Appalachian State University make a median salary of 32,606.
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Related Majors
Below are some popular majors that are similar to design that offer bachelor’s degrees.
| Major | Annual Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Fine & Studio Arts | 23,952 |
| Music | 15,299 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | 12,664 |
| Drama & Theater Arts | 12,468 |
| General Visual & Performing Arts | 4,199 |
References
*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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