What are the top Florida graphic design schools for 2026?
| Ranking | School | City | Ranking by Region | National Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Florida | Gainesville | #3 in South | #14 |
| 2 | Ringling College of Art and Design | Sarasota | #4 in South | #21 |
| 3 | Florida State University | Tallahassee | #7 in South | #42 |
| 4 | Full Sail University | Winter Park | #8 in South | #43 |
| 5 | University of Miami | Coral Gables | #12 in South | Unranked |
| 6 | University of Central Florida | Orlando | #15 in South | Unranked |
| 7 | University of North Florida | Jacksonville | #19 in South | Unranked |
| 8 | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | Tallahassee | #22 in South | Unranked |
| 9 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton | #23 in South | Unranked |
| 10 | University of South Florida | St. Petersburg | Unranked | Unranked |
Our 2026 ranking of the top 10 graphic design school programs in Florida. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
1. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
The School of Art and Art History at the University of Florida (UF) houses the Graphic Design BFA, Design and Visual Communications MFA (MxD), and Graphic Design minor programs. Program features include access to state-of-the-art studios and labs, including the MxD lab; opportunities to work on projects with major companies; professional internships; and study abroad experiences in places such as Spain, Italy, and the UK. In addition to launching their own studios, UF Design graduates have secured positions with the Miami Heat and at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Microsoft, Disney, Apple, IBM, IDEO, Google, R/GA, Interbrand (a division of Omnicom Group), Viacom, Gensler, Kate Spade, and Verizon.
2. Ringling College of Art and Design, Sarasota, Florida
Ringling College of Art and Design (RCAD) houses an award-winning design studio that allows its Graphic Design BFA students to gain valuable experience working with real clients on design and branding campaigns. The school’s INDEX (Industry Experience) Center also helps students secure internships with local, regional, and national studios. Other program highlights include study abroad experiences in the Netherlands and France; visiting artists from places such as DreamWorks; and opportunities to submit creations to the ADDY Awards. Graduates have gone on to secure positions at places such as Saatchi X, Hallmark, Microsoft, DreamWorks, Google, Leo Burnett, Disney, Nickelodeon, Sony, Intel, Amazon, Target, Hasbro, Mattel, Ogilvy, American Greetings, Cartoon Network, Apple, and Squarespace.
3. Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida
The College of Fine Arts at Florida State University (FSU) is home to the Department of Art. Within the department are the Studio Art BA, BFA, and MFA degree programs. An interdisciplinary Graphic Design graduate certificate is also available to graduate students in all departments. BA students must choose one concentration; BFA students must select two; and MFA students may focus through electives or an established concentration. Examples include Electronic Arts (MFA); Printmaking; Book Arts; Installation (MFA); Digital Media; Photography; Moving Image; Drawing; and Papermaking (MFA). The MFA is a fully funded program, with additional scholarship/fellowship opportunities. FSU alumni go on to establish careers at places such as Disney, Lockheed Martin, Amazon, IMAX, Deloitte, L3Harris, Publix, and PwC.
4. Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Full Sail University (Full Sail) provides multiple paths to study Graphic Design. Options include AAS and BS degrees in Graphic Design; a Digital Arts and Design BS; an undergraduate certificate in Visual Design; and a Media Design MFA. All programs highlight real-world, project-based design curriculums; access to design and production facilities such as the 3D Arts Center and Studio V1 Virtual Production; and internship opportunities at places such as Goodby Silverstein & Partners (GS&P), DC Comics, and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Graduates of the Design programs at Full Sail can be found at places such as Disney, Google, Epic Games, DC Comics, Adobe, Netflix, Electronic Arts (EA), and SoFi Stadium.
5. University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida
The University of Miami (UM) provides multiple paths to study graphic design. The College of Arts and Sciences houses a Studio Art BFA with a Graphic Design and Multimedia (GDM) concentration; a flexible, general studies Art BA with access to all GDM courses, plus a mandatory 15-credit minor in Interactive Media, Advertising, User Experience Design, or other option; and the Illustration and Multimedia MFA. The School of Communication houses the Human-Centered Design and Computing BSC; an Experience and Information Design (XiD) MS; and a Creative Technologies and Interactive Arts MFA. Highlights across programs include visiting artist seminars and critiques; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; gallery visits; and interdisciplinary studio courses. Graduates can be found at Sony Music Publishing, Yahoo!, the Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium, Royal Caribbean Group, and Catena Media.
6. University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
The School of Visual Arts and Design (SVAD) at University of Central Florida (UCF) has several paths to study graphic design. The school’s Emerging Media BFA has a Graphic Design track, while the Emerging Media MFA has a flexible Studio Art and Design track. Other SVAD pathways for aspiring graphic designers include an Art BA (Immersive Experience Design track); a Digital Media BA; and the Digital Arts and Emerging Experiences minor. Across programs students have access to specialized creative labs, studios, and makerspaces; the artist series; and professional internship opportunities at places like Disney, Lockheed Martin, and Universal Orlando Resort. Graduates can be found at these and other places such as Microsoft, NASA, Disney, Apple, NBCUniversal, DreamWorks, Netflix, Rockstar Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Amazon, Marriott International, SeaWorld, Warner Bros., Sony, and Blizzard Entertainment.
7. University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida
The Graphic Design BFA program at the University of North Florida (UNF) has a unique component that allows students to work on design projects for partners such as MOCA Jacksonville. Housed in the College of Arts and Sciences’ (COAS) Department of Art, Art History, and Design, this limited access program also highlights a visiting artist series; study abroad experiences in London, Italy, Brazil, and Ireland; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; and the opportunity to exhibit works across two senior showcases in UNF Gallery Spaces. Graduates have landed positions with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Orlando Magic, as well as Chico’s, the Dalton Agency, WGI, Flamingo Magazine, and 63 Visual.
8. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, Florida
The School of Journalism and Graphic Communication (SJGC) at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (Florida A&M or FAMU) houses a Graphic Design BS that focuses on brand development and creative campaigns for motion graphics, UX/UI design, web, digital media, print, social media, and animation. Students will create works using state-of-the-art print production labs, and the SJGC Mac Lab, FAMU Fab Lab, and FAMU-FSU College of Engineering Makerspace. Other program highlights include the HBCU in LA program featuring partnerships with Pixar, Paramount, and Disney; and study abroad experiences in Japan, Hungary, and Sweden, among others. Graduates can be found at places such as Pixar, Major League Baseball (MLB), Disney, Nike, Paramount, Apple, Target, Newell Brands, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), the Orlando Sentinel, and the Mississippi Museum of Art.
9. Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida
The Department of Visual Arts and Art History at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) provides several paths to study graphic design. Options include a BFA in Graphic Design; a Studio Art BA with a Graphic Design concentration; and a Visual Art MFA with a Graphic Design concentration. Students in all programs benefit from collaborations with the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami (MOCA) and the Boca Museum of Art; access to state-of-the-art production facilities across the Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton campuses; and dedicated study abroad programs in places such as Spain, Italy, and France. FAU Design alumni have gone on to establish careers at places such as Boeing, Google, Lockheed Martin, Amazon, Deloitte Digital, Microsoft, Live Nation Entertainment, Hard Rock Digital, and iHeartMedia.
10. University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, Florida
The University of South Florida (USF) provides several paths to study graphic design. Options include a Graphic Arts BFA program with a concentration in Graphic Design or Illustration and Studio Art BA and Studio Art BFA programs that allow students to take courses across all areas of study. Program features include hands-on projects within the art and design community; access to state-of-the-art production studios; electives that allow for a second specialization or focus area; internships at places such as Rolling Stone, Google, Vogue, and The Dali Museum; and study abroad experiences in London, Paris, and Venice. Graduates have landed positions with the Miami Dolphins, Google, Disney, SeaWorld Orlando, IBM, Microsoft, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, HSN, 22Squared, Spark, the Tampa Bay Times, and Publix.