2026 Best Design And Applied Arts Schools
Looking for the best Design And Applied Arts programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1237 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Design And Applied Arts Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
University Of Notre Dame came in at #2 on this year's Design And Applied Arts ranking in the United States. Located in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. University Of Notre Dame Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $20,250 in debt. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile
Gnomon School Of Visual Effects came in at #3 on this year's Design And Applied Arts ranking in the United States. This private for-profit school is set in North Hollywood, CA. Gnomon School Of Visual Effects graduates 100% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $37,635 in tuition and fees. Gnomon School Of Visual Effects Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $38,000 in debt. Read more about Gnomon School Of Visual Effects
Out of the 1237 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Miami Ad School At Portfolio Center landed the #4 spot. This private for-profit school is set in Atlanta, GA. Students from in state pay about $19,400 in tuition and fees. Read the full report on Miami Ad School At Portfolio Center
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #5 on this year's Design And Applied Arts ranking in the United States. Set in Chicago, IL, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. Students borrow a median of $26,774 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. Get the full Illinois Institute Of Technology report
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. Read the full report on Carnegie Mellon University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $25,802. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $22,500. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
Lawrence Technological University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. Located in Southfield, MI, Lawrence Technological University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,760. Lawrence Technological University Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $27,799 in debt. See the full Lawrence Technological University profile
Madison Area Technical College did well this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Madison, WI, Madison Area Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,977 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Typical Design And Applied Arts student debt is $15,750. Get the full Madison Area Technical College report
School Of Advertising Art Inc ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. Based in Kettering, OH, School Of Advertising Art Inc is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,914. Graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. See the full School Of Advertising Art Inc profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. This public school is set in Madison, WI. University Of Wisconsin Madison posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $20,875 in debt. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Sacred Heart University landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Located in Fairfield, CT, Sacred Heart University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $50,404. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. Read more about Sacred Heart University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public school based in Seattle, WA. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
North Dakota State University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #16 position. Set in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. Get the full North Dakota State University Main Campus report
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,839 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Luther College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. Based in Decorah, IA, Luther College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. In-state tuition and fees average $52,120. Luther College Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $26,967 in debt. Read more about Luther College
Washington University In St Louis did well this year, earning the #19 position. Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit school based in St. Louis, MO. Washington University In St Louis posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $19,089. See the full Washington University In St Louis profile
Texas Christian University did well this year, earning the #20 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Worth, TX. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. Graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. See the full Texas Christian University profile
Drake University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Set in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Typical Design And Applied Arts student debt is $22,273. Get the full Drake University report
Alexandria Technical And Community College placed #22 among Design And Applied Arts schools in the United States. Based in Alexandria, MN, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,236. Graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Alexandria Technical And Community College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Troy, NY. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $64,078 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. Read more about Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Based in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Purdue University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. More on Purdue University Main Campus
University Of South Dakota did well this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Vermillion, SD, University Of South Dakota is a public institution. University Of South Dakota posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,432, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Typical Design And Applied Arts student debt is $26,322. Read more about University Of South Dakota
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Based in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates 68% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Get the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus report
University Of Florida landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. University Of Florida posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,839 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. See the full University Of Florida profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Design And Applied Arts Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Clemson University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. Based in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $26,000. Read the full report on Clemson University
Southern Methodist University landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Set in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Southern Methodist University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. More on Southern Methodist University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. Based in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $25,851. See the full University Of Cincinnati Main Campus profile
University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #31 position. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $16,155. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
University Of Wisconsin Stout did well this year, earning the #32 position. Set in Menomonie, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,701, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $27,000. See the full University Of Wisconsin Stout profile
Michigan State University landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,175 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. Read more about Michigan State University
University Of Delaware came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Based in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. University Of Delaware posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. University Of Delaware Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. See the full University Of Delaware profile
American University placed #36 among Design And Applied Arts schools in the United States. American University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. American University Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $24,139 in debt. See the full American University profile
University Of California Davis placed #37 among Design And Applied Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Davis, CA. University Of California Davis posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. University Of California Davis Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $15,000 in debt. More on University Of California Davis
Northwestern University landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read more about Northwestern University
Bemidji State University did well this year, earning the #39 position. Set in Bemidji, MN, Bemidji State University is a public institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Bemidji State University Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. See the full Bemidji State University profile
New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Based in Newark, NJ, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,974, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. New Jersey Institute Of Technology Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read more about New Jersey Institute Of Technology
Boston University landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Located in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,102. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. More on Boston University
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Located in Pewaukee, WI, Waukesha County Technical College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,803, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Waukesha County Technical College Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $15,554 in debt. More on Waukesha County Technical College
University Of Utah placed #43 among Design And Applied Arts schools in the United States. University Of Utah is a public school based in Salt Lake City, UT. University Of Utah graduates 65% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. University Of Utah Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $16,344 in debt. See the full University Of Utah profile
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #44 among Design And Applied Arts schools in the United States. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #45 position. Set in Millersville, PA, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Typical Design And Applied Arts student debt is $26,486. Read more about Millersville University Of Pennsylvania
Texas Tech University did well this year, earning the #46 position. This public school is set in Lubbock, TX. About 69% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. Read the full report on Texas Tech University
Harding University came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Based in Searcy, AR, Harding University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $25,962. Graduates carry a median of $26,715 in student loans. See the full Harding University profile
University Of California Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #48 position. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. University Of California Los Angeles Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $20,000 in debt. See the full University Of California Los Angeles profile
Iowa State University did well this year, earning the #49 position. This public school is set in Ames, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. Read the full report on Iowa State University
College For Creative Studies landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Based in Detroit, MI, College For Creative Studies is a private not-for-profit institution. College For Creative Studies graduates 71% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,350. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about College For Creative Studies
San Jose State University placed #51 among Design And Applied Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in San Jose, CA. About 69% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Read the full report on San Jose State University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #52 spot in the United States this year. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Bellevue University came in at #53 in this year's ranking. Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit school based in Bellevue, NE. Bellevue University posts a six-year graduation rate of 33%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,873. Typical Design And Applied Arts student debt is $29,688. Get the full Bellevue University report
Best Design And Applied Arts Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Design And Applied Arts Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Design And Applied Arts Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Design And Applied Arts Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Design And Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Design And Applied Arts Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Design And Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Design And Applied Arts Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1237 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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