2023 Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Minnesota
Finding the Best Design & Applied Arts School for You
In 2020-2021, 533 degrees and certificates were awarded to design and applied arts students who went to a Minnesota college or university. This makes it the #38 most popular major in the state.
It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Minnesota ranking. This report analyzed 10 schools in Minnesota to see which ones offered the best programs for students.
View our full ranking methodology.
Featured Design & Applied Arts Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts
Translate your creative ideas through concept, design and digital media with a bachelor's in graphic design online from Southern New Hampshire University.
Take the first step toward a career of visual expression and doing what you love with this online associate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn to create a striking portfolio and hone the skills you need to succeed in the world of professional photography with this online digital photography degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
2023 Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Minnesota
The colleges and universities below are the best for design majors pursuing a .
Top 10 Best Design & Applied Arts Schools
Our analysis found Alexandria Technical & Community College to be the best school for design and applied arts students who want to pursue a degree in Minnesota. ATCC is a small public school located in the town of Alexandria.
On average, design graduates from ATCC take out $12,000 in student loans while working on their degree.
Full Design & Applied Arts at Alexandria Technical & Community College Report
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The excellent programs at Bemidji State University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best design and applied arts schools in Minnesota. Bemidji State University is a small public school located in the remote town of Bemidji.
The average amount in student loans that design majors at Bemidji State University take out is $27,000.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Bemidji State University
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Out of the 10 schools in Minnesota that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public school with a very large student population.
After completing their degree, design graduates from UMN Twin Cities carry an average student debtload of $22,975. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $298.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Saint Cloud State University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Minnesota list. St. Cloud State University is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Saint Cloud.
Full Design & Applied Arts at Saint Cloud State University Report
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The excellent programs at Century College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best design and applied arts schools in Minnesota. Century College is a medium-sized public school located in the large suburb of White Bear Lake.
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Minnesota State University - Moorhead came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Minnesota ranking. MSU Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the medium-sized suburb of Moorhead.
On average, design graduates from MSU Moorhead take out $24,995 in student loans while working on their degree.
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University of Minnesota - Duluth ranked #7 on this year’s Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Minnesota list. UMN Duluth is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth.
After completing their degree, design graduates from UMN Duluth carry an average student debtload of $24,199.
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With a ranking of #8, Minneapolis College of Art and Design did quite well on this year’s best schools for design and applied arts students. Located in the city of Minneapolis, MCAD is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
While working on their degree, design majors at MCAD accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $323.
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Minneapolis Community and Technical College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best design and applied arts programs. Minneapolis Community and Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the large city of Minneapolis.
The average amount in student loans that design majors at Minneapolis Community and Technical College take out is $32,750.
Full Design & Applied Arts at Minneapolis Community and Technical College Report
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Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for design and applied arts students. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in the distant town of Winona, SMU MN is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Full Design & Applied Arts at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Report
Request InformationBest Design & Applied Arts Colleges in the Plains States Region
Explore all the Best Design & Applied Arts Colleges in the Plains States Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Missouri | 432 |
| Kansas | 229 |
| Iowa | 481 |
| Nebraska | 223 |
| North Dakota | 36 |
| South Dakota | 57 |
More Design & Applied Arts Rankings in Minnesota
Related Programs
Learn about other programs related to Design & Applied Arts that might interest you.
Take the first step toward a career of visual expression and doing what you love with this online associate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn to create a striking portfolio and hone the skills you need to succeed in the world of professional photography with this online digital photography degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Get on the right path to the fast-paced, exciting world of video game art and design with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Rankings in Majors Related to Design
One of 10 majors within the area of study, design and applied arts has other similar majors worth exploring.
Majors Similar to Design
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Fine & Studio Arts | 37,413 |
| Music | 25,910 |
| Drama & Theater Arts | 17,341 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | 16,778 |
| General Visual & Performing Arts | 6,355 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 10 schools only.
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.