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Best Graphic Design & Visual Arts Programs 2026

Best graphic design and visual arts programs ranked by earnings. Compare schools for design careers.

9 programs ranked
$39,561 avg salary
7 public schools
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RankProgramSchoolStateMedian SalaryAnnual CostValue ScoreBreak-Even
1Design and Applied ArtsFlorida State UniversityFL$44,538$10,997/yr82/1003.5 yr
2Design and Applied ArtsUniversity of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIL$44,353$15,201/yr80/1004.7 yr
3Design and Applied ArtsUniversity of FloridaFL$43,267$6,351/yr84/1002.3 yr
4Design and Applied ArtsGeorge Washington UniversityDC$42,306$37,454/yr45/10012.8 yr
5Design and Applied ArtsThe University of AlabamaAL$40,655$22,150/yr67/1009.1 yr
6Design and Applied ArtsUniversity of California-Los AngelesCA$39,481$12,548/yr78/1005.8 yr
7Design and Applied ArtsIowa State UniversityIA$37,065$18,165/yr66/10011.5 yr
8Design and Applied ArtsIndiana University-BloomingtonIN$34,755$15,342/yr62/10014.4 yr
9Design and Applied ArtsUniversity of Southern CaliforniaCA$29,631$31,927/yr25/100N/A
1

Design and Applied Arts

82/100Public

Florida State University · Tallahassee, FL

$44,538 median salary$10,997/yr net cost3.5 yr break-even+48% vs. HS diploma
2

Design and Applied Arts

80/100Public

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Champaign, IL

$44,353 median salary$15,201/yr net cost4.7 yr break-even+48% vs. HS diploma
3

Design and Applied Arts

84/100Public

University of Florida · Gainesville, FL

$43,267 median salary$6,351/yr net cost2.3 yr break-even+44% vs. HS diploma
4

Design and Applied Arts

45/100

George Washington University · Washington, DC

$42,306 median salary$37,454/yr net cost12.8 yr break-even+41% vs. HS diploma
5

Design and Applied Arts

67/100Public

The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL

$40,655 median salary$22,150/yr net cost9.1 yr break-even+36% vs. HS diploma
6

Design and Applied Arts

78/100Public

University of California-Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA

$39,481 median salary$12,548/yr net cost5.8 yr break-even+32% vs. HS diploma
7

Design and Applied Arts

66/100Public

Iowa State University · Ames, IA

$37,065 median salary$18,165/yr net cost11.5 yr break-even+24% vs. HS diploma
8

Design and Applied Arts

62/100Public

Indiana University-Bloomington · Bloomington, IN

$34,755 median salary$15,342/yr net cost14.4 yr break-even+16% vs. HS diploma
9

Design and Applied Arts

25/100

University of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA

$29,631 median salary$31,927/yr net cost+-1% vs. HS diploma

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Compare SchoolsOverall Rankings

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.