The graphic design industry is growing at a steady pace and academic institutions across the U.S. have taken notice. In 2002, the U.S. was home to 141,830 graphic designers. By 2006, the population jumped to 190,880 in 2006. Today the country is home to 191,550 salaried graphic designers. The U.S. is home to 1,725,670 salaried artists and designers. Graphic designers make up just over 11 percent of this population. In addition to an increase in top-rated graphic design programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, this marked growth has resulted in larger salaries and better opportunities with room to grow.
While graphic design is an excellent industry for aspiring artists and designers, this competitive field isn’t the easiest to enter. However, landing a job can be easier if you have tons of talent and a degree in graphic design from a dynamic college or university. Fortunately, organizations such as Forbes, Princeton Review, and U.S. News & World offer detailed directories (lists) of America’s best schools. This information is available annually at no cost.
To determine which schools deserve a place in the directory, each organization carefully considers factors such as faculty resources, student selectivity, number of program offerings, peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, and financial resources. Many Tennessee schools make the cut each year.
According to the most recent report by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), Tennessee is now home to 109 Title IV colleges and Universities. Although many of the best schools for graphic designers can be found in principal cities such as Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville, cities like Martin and Jefferson City have made their way onto the map in the world of art and design. If you’re ready to learn more about Tennessee’s best graphic design school programs, scroll through the list below to find out which schools made the list and what they have to offer.
Best Graphic Design School Programs - Major Tennessee Cities
Chattanooga
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Studio Art with Graphic Design and Photography and Media Art Concentrations
Jackson
Union University - Degrees Offered: B. A., B. S. Digital Media studies, B. A. Graphic Design
Johnson City
East Tennessee State University - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Specialization in Graphic Design, M. A. New Media Studio, M. F. A. with Specialization in Graphic Design, M. S. Technology with Digital Media Concentration
Knoxville
University of Tennessee at Knoxville - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design; M. F. A. Studio Art with Concentration in Graphic Design
Memphis
University of Memphis - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Concentration in Graphic Design; M. F. A. Graphic Design
Murfreesboro
Middle Tennessee State University - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design, B. S. Electronic Media Communication with Specialization in Digital Animation
Nashville
Tennessee State University - Degrees Offered: B. S. Studio Art with Concentration in Graphic Design
Watkins College of Art, Design & Film – Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design with Concentration in Illustration or Web Design, B. A. Art, B. F. A. Film, B. F. A. (Fine Arts)
Best Graphic Design School Programs - Other Tennessee Cities and Towns
Greeneville
Tusculum College - Degrees Offered: B. A. Art and Design with Graphic Design Concentration, Digital Arts
Jefferson City
Carson-Newman College - Degrees Offered: B. A. Art with Emphasis in Graphic Design
Martin
University of Tennessee at Martin - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Studio Art Option with Graphic Design Emphasis
More Programs to Consider:
- San Francisco & Online
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#15) - 2020
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#23) - 2020
- Top 40 Nationally for Illustration (#29) - 2020
- Winter Park, FL & Online
- Computer Animation - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Game Programs - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Graphic Design & Digital Arts - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Film & Digital Cinematography - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Mobile Development - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Simulation & Visualization - Bachelor's - Campus
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#19) - 2020
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#17) - 2020
- Top 5 in Florida for Graphic Design (#4) - 2020
