NEW 2026 Best Colleges Rankings!

NEW 2026 Hidden Gem Colleges!

Search for a different college major

Graphic Design

Select Type of Degree:

Select State:


#1 #1 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S. Art Center College of Design Pasadena, CA At the Art Center College of Design, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Illustration, Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, Engineering-Related Fields, and Other....view more Acceptance Rate 76% Annual Degrees Awarded 32 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $50,252
#2 #2 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S. Otis College of Art and Design Los Angeles, CA At Otis College of Art and Design, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Digital Arts, Design and Visual Communications, General, and Fashion/Apparel Design. In fact, Otis College of Art and Design awards 105 degrees annually to graduating Digital Arts students....view more Acceptance Rate 82% Annual Degrees Awarded 6 SAT Score 1,120–1,360 Median Starting Salary $50,774
#3 #3 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S. Yale University New Haven, CT Yale offers students seventy possible majors, which must be declared by sophomore or junior years, but students are always welcome to change. Some of the top majors currently are Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Computer and Information Sciences, General, Political Science and Government, General,......view more Acceptance Rate 4% Annual Degrees Awarded 18 SAT Score 1,470–1,570 Median Starting Salary $44,796
#4 #4 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S. Boston University Boston, MA At Boston University, the most popular majors students pursue are Business Administration and Management, General, Computer Science, Psychology, and General. In fact, Boston University grants 713 degrees per year to graduating Business Administration and Management, General students....view more Acceptance Rate 11% Annual Degrees Awarded 25 SAT Score 1,430–1,530 Median Starting Salary $52,307
#5 #5 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S. Liberty University Lynchburg, VA At Liberty University, the three most popular college majors students study are Business Administration and Management, General, Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other, Psychology, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 99% Annual Degrees Awarded 20 SAT Score 1,040–1,340 Median Starting Salary $49,260
#6 #6 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S. Iowa State University Ames, IA Annually, Iowa State University grants about 369 degrees to those studying Mechanical Engineering, the institution’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Marketing/Marketing Management, General, Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Animal Sciences, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 89% Annual Degrees Awarded 5 SAT Score 1,090–1,330 Median Starting Salary $53,889
#7 #7 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S. University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL Every year, the University of Illinois Chicago awards about 367 degrees to those studying Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Computer Science, Psychology, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 77% Annual Degrees Awarded 6 SAT Score 1,150–1,360 Median Starting Salary $48,408
#8 #8 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S. Suffolk University Boston, MA Each year, Suffolk University grants about 100 degrees to those studying Marketing/Marketing Management, General, which is the school’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Psychology, General, Business Administration and Management, General, Legal Studies, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 82% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 1,110–1,310 Median Starting Salary $52,506
#9 #9 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S. Chatham University Pittsburgh, PA At Chatham University, the most popular majors students study are Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Psychology, General, and Kinesiology and Exercise Science. In fact, Chatham University grants 45 degrees annually to graduating Biology/Biological Sciences, General students....view more Acceptance Rate 62% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 1,080–1,320 Median Starting Salary $53,979
#10 #10 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S. Ohio University-Main Campus Athens, OH Each year, Ohio University-Main Campus grants around 1212 degrees to students studying Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, the school’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Psychology, General, Marketing/Marketing Management, General, and Speech Communication and Rhetoric....view more Acceptance Rate 85% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 1,110–1,310 Median Starting Salary $52,405
#11 #11 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S. University of Denver Denver, CO Annually, the University of Denver awards about 150 degrees to students studying Psychology, General, the institution’s most popular major. Other popular majors include International Relations and Affairs, Marketing/Marketing Management, General, Finance, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 77% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,240–1,410 Median Starting Salary $53,253
#12 #12 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S. Marywood University Scranton, PA At Marywood University, the most popular majors students study are Architecture, Early Childhood Education and Teaching, Biology/Biological Sciences, and General. In fact, Marywood University awards 36 degrees per year to graduating Architecture students....view more Acceptance Rate 61% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,070–1,250 Median Starting Salary $55,082
#13 #13 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S. Mississippi College Clinton, MS At Mississippi College, the most popular majors students study are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Biomedical Sciences, and General. In fact, Mississippi College grants 90 degrees per year to graduating Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse students....view more Acceptance Rate 49% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,010–1,210 Median Starting Salary $49,669
#14 #14 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S. Atlantic University Guaynabo, PR At Atlantic University, the most popular majors students study are Computer Graphics, Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design, and Cinematography and Film/Video Production. In fact, Atlantic University awards 157 degrees annually to Computer Graphics majors....view more Acceptance Rate 100% Annual Degrees Awarded 26 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $45,274
#15 #15 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S. Cranbrook Academy of Art Bloomfield Hills, MI Acceptance Rate -- Annual Degrees Awarded 10 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $51,847
#16 #16 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S. Vermont College of Fine Arts Montpelier, VT Acceptance Rate -- Annual Degrees Awarded 7 SAT Score -- Median Starting Salary $51,847
*The estimated net prices above are College Raptor’s estimate. Please contact the college financial aid office for actual net cost figures.

About Graphic Design

Graphic Design programs prepare individuals to apply artistic and computer techniques to the interpretation of technical and commercial concepts. Includes instruction in computer-assisted art and design, printmaking, concepts sketching, technical drawing, color theory, imaging, studio technique, still and life modeling, multimedia applications, communication skills and commercial art business operations.

Of the 169 Graphic Design degrees granted each year at the Masters degree level, 40% percent of whom are men and the other 60% percent are women. Did you know that California has more students graduating with a degree in Graphic Design than any other state? In fact, California granted 38 degrees last year! The average annual income for a graduate with a bachelor's degree in Graphic Design is $41,200.

Popularity of Graphic Design Degrees in the U.S.

This heat map represents the states that have the highest percent of Graphic Design degrees compared to all other degrees awarded in that state.

Less Popular

More Popular

Careers

The highest paying jobs for Graphic Design majors include Art Directors, Special Effects Artists and Animators and Web and Digital Interface Designers. However, another thing to think about is how much demand there is for specific jobs. Careers that are in high need that a degree in Graphic Design can prepare you for are Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Graphic Designers and Art Directors.

Top Paying Careers

These are the highest paying careers for Graphic Design majors.

Most In-Demand Careers

These are the careers in highest demand for Graphic Design majors.

Student Demographics

Total Students

169

Female Students

102 (60%)

Male Students

67 (39%)

Resources for:

Articles

Resources for:

Graphic Design

#1 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S.

76%

32

--

$50,252

#2 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S.

82%

6

1,120–1,360

$50,774

#3 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S.

4%

18

1,470–1,570

$44,796

#4 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S.

11%

25

1,430–1,530

$52,307

#5 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S.

99%

20

1,040–1,340

$49,260

#6 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S.

89%

5

1,090–1,330

$53,889

#7 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S.

77%

6

1,150–1,360

$48,408

#8 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S.

82%

4

1,110–1,310

$52,506

#9 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S.

62%

3

1,080–1,320

$53,979

#10 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S.

85%

3

1,110–1,310

$52,405

#11 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S.

77%

1

1,240–1,410

$53,253

#12 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S.

61%

2

1,070–1,250

$55,082

#13 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S.

49%

1

1,010–1,210

$49,669

#14 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S.

100%

26

--

$45,274

#15 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S.

--

10

--

$51,847

#16 Best College for Graphic Design in the U.S.

--

7

--