🎨
Best Graphic Design & Visual Arts Programs 2026
Best graphic design and visual arts programs ranked by earnings. Compare schools for design careers.
6 programs ranked
$43,599 avg salary
5 public schools
💻 Computer Science⚙️ Engineering📊 Business & Finance🏥 Nursing🧾 Accounting📈 Economics🧬 Biology & Biomedical🩺 Pre-Med & Health Sciences📡 Data Science & Analytics🔒 Cybersecurity📐 Mathematics & Statistics🏛️ Political Science & Government🧠 Psychology🎤 Communications & Media📰 Journalism⚖️ Criminal Justice🤝 Social Work📚 Liberal Arts & Humanities🏺 History💭 Philosophy👥 Sociology📖 Education & Teaching⚛️ Physics & Physical Sciences🌿 Environmental Science🏛️ Public Health🏗️ Architecture🎨 Graphic Design & Visual Arts🎬 Film & Cinema🎵 Music🌾 Agriculture & Agribusiness
View as table
| Rank | Program | School | State | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Value Score | Break-Even |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Design and Applied Arts | The University of Texas at Austin | TX | $53,135 | $19,857/yr | 86/100 | 3.8 yr |
| 2 | Design and Applied Arts | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | NY | $46,471 | $33,139/yr | 60/100 | 8.6 yr |
| 3 | Design and Applied Arts | University of Wisconsin-Madison | WI | $43,684 | $16,928/yr | 80/100 | 5.5 yr |
| 4 | Design and Applied Arts | University of Florida | FL | $43,267 | $6,541/yr | 84/100 | 2.4 yr |
| 5 | Design and Applied Arts | Ohio State University-Main Campus | OH | $40,279 | $17,339/yr | 75/100 | 7.5 yr |
| 6 | Design and Applied Arts | Indiana University-Bloomington | IN | $34,755 | $16,264/yr | 61/100 | 15.2 yr |
1
Design and Applied Arts
86/100PublicThe University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX
$53,135 median salary$19,857/yr net cost3.8 yr break-even+77% vs. HS diploma
2
Design and Applied Arts
60/100Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute · Troy, NY
$46,471 median salary$33,139/yr net cost8.6 yr break-even+55% vs. HS diploma
3
Design and Applied Arts
80/100PublicUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI
$43,684 median salary$16,928/yr net cost5.5 yr break-even+46% vs. HS diploma
4
Design and Applied Arts
84/100PublicUniversity of Florida · Gainesville, FL
$43,267 median salary$6,541/yr net cost2.4 yr break-even+44% vs. HS diploma
5
Design and Applied Arts
75/100PublicOhio State University-Main Campus · Columbus, OH
$40,279 median salary$17,339/yr net cost7.5 yr break-even+34% vs. HS diploma
6
Design and Applied Arts
61/100PublicIndiana University-Bloomington · Bloomington, IN
$34,755 median salary$16,264/yr net cost15.2 yr break-even+16% vs. HS diploma
📝 Related Articles About Graphic Design & Visual Arts
Compare Schools Side by Side
See how different graphic design & visual arts programs stack up on cost, salary, and graduation rates.
Rankings are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Programs are ranked by median earnings 1 year after completion. Data reflects bachelor's degree programs only.