2026 Best Design And Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Design And Applied Arts bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 1237 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed schools to compile 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Our analysis found University Of Notre Dame to be the best Design And Applied Arts school in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. University Of Notre Dame posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $20,250. Read more about University Of Notre Dame
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #2 on this year's Design And Applied Arts ranking in the United States. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,636. Carnegie Mellon University Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $24,500 in debt. Get the full Carnegie Mellon University report
Out of the 1237 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #3 spot. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
The strong Design And Applied Arts programs at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned it the #4 place in the United States. This public school is set in Blacksburg, VA. About 86% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical Design And Applied Arts student debt is $25,802. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
Lawrence Technological University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Lawrence Technological University is a private not-for-profit school based in Southfield, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,760. Students borrow a median of $27,799 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. Get the full Lawrence Technological University report
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Madison Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $20,875 in debt. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
Washington University In St Louis landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Located in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Students borrow a median of $19,089 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. More on Washington University In St Louis
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. 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. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Sacred Heart University did well this year, earning the #10 position. Based in Fairfield, CT, Sacred Heart University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,404. Sacred Heart University Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $25,831 in debt. Read the full report on Sacred Heart University
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #11 among Design And Applied Arts schools in the United States. Located in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. North Dakota State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $27,000. Read more about North Dakota State University Main Campus
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign did well this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign 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 $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $18,839 in debt. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Luther College came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Luther College is a private not-for-profit school based in Decorah, IA. Luther College graduates 71% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $52,120. Students borrow a median of $26,967 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. More on Luther College
Texas Christian University landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Worth, TX. Texas Christian University posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $22,960. See the full Texas Christian University profile
Drake University came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Set in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drake University posts a six-year graduation rate of 73%. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,960. Graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. Get the full Drake University report
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit school based in Troy, NY. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,078. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. See the full Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute profile
Purdue University Main Campus placed #17 among Design And Applied Arts schools in the United States. Based in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Read more about Purdue University Main Campus
School Of Advertising Art Inc did well this year, earning the #18 position. This private for-profit school is set in Kettering, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $30,914. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $5,500. Get the full School Of Advertising Art Inc report
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Set in Cincinnati, OH, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,851 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. More on University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Florida did well this year, earning the #20 position. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical Design And Applied Arts student debt is $19,839. Read more about University Of Florida
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. Based in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Oklahoma State University Main Campus Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $22,337 in debt. Get the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus report
Clemson University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Set in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Clemson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. Read more about Clemson University
University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #23 position. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. University Of Pennsylvania Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $16,155 in debt. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
Boston University placed #24 among Design And Applied Arts schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,102. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $21,250. See the full Boston University profile
Southern Methodist University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. Set in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Typical Design And Applied Arts student debt is $20,712. Read the full report on Southern Methodist University
University Of Wisconsin Stout came in at #26 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Menomonie, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. University Of Wisconsin Stout Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. See the full University Of Wisconsin Stout profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Design And Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
University Of Delaware placed #27 among Design And Applied Arts schools in the United States. Based in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $26,000. Get the full University Of Delaware report
University Of California Davis did well this year, earning the #28 position. This public school is set in Davis, CA. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $15,000. Read the full report on University Of California Davis
Bemidji State University ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. Set in Bemidji, MN, Bemidji State University is a public institution. Bemidji State University graduates 46% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,237. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $27,000. See the full Bemidji State University profile
New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #30 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Newark, NJ. About 73% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,974, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More on New Jersey Institute Of Technology
University Of Utah came in at #31 in this year's ranking. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,344 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. Read the full report on University Of Utah
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $20,000. Read more about University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor did well this year, earning the #33 position. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. Get the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor report
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania placed #34 among Design And Applied Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Millersville, PA. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Graduates carry a median of $26,486 in student loans. Get the full Millersville University Of Pennsylvania report
Texas Tech University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Lubbock, TX. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Read more about Texas Tech University
Harding University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. Harding University is a private not-for-profit school based in Searcy, AR. About 69% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $25,962. Harding University Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $26,715 in debt. More on Harding University
Iowa State University did well this year, earning the #37 position. This public school is set in Ames, IA. Iowa State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full Iowa State University profile
College For Creative Studies ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Detroit, MI. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,350. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. More on College For Creative Studies
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. Set in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical Design And Applied Arts student debt is $24,000. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
San Jose State University did well this year, earning the #40 position. Located in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. San Jose State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Get the full San Jose State University report
Michigan State University came in at #41 in this year's ranking. Located in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $28,175. Get the full Michigan State University report
Florida State University did well this year, earning the #42 position. Set in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Florida State University Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $22,250 in debt. Read more about Florida State University
Bellevue University placed #43 among Design And Applied Arts schools in the United States. Based in Bellevue, NE, Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,873. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $29,688. Read more about Bellevue University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. More on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of Arkansas ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. This public school is set in Fayetteville, AR. About 70% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Graduates carry a median of $23,881 in student loans. See the full University Of Arkansas profile
Chapman University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Located in Orange, CA, Chapman University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,984 in tuition and fees. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $23,000. Read more about Chapman University
University Of Kentucky did well this year, earning the #47 position. Based in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. University Of Kentucky Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. See the full University Of Kentucky profile
University Of Evansville landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evansville, IN. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,172. Typical Design And Applied Arts student debt is $25,234. See the full University Of Evansville profile
Illinois State University placed #49 among Design And Applied Arts schools in the United States. Set in Normal, IL, Illinois State University is a public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Illinois State University Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $24,986 in debt. See the full Illinois State University profile
University Of Dayton ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. Based in Dayton, OH, University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,140. Typical Design And Applied Arts student debt is $25,033. Read more about University Of Dayton
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #51 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. Based in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Related Design And Applied Arts Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Design And Applied Arts Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Design And Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Design And Applied Arts Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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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