| Ranking | School | City | Ranking by Region | National Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | School of the Art Institute of Chicago | Chicago | #1 in Midwest | #13 |
| 2 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Urbana | #2 in Midwest | #16 |
| 3 | University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago | #3 in Midwest | #26 |
| 4 | Columbia College Chicago | Chicago | #21 in Midwest | Unranked |
| 5 | DePaul University | Chicago | #24 in Midwest | Unranked |
| 6 | Illinois State University | Normal | Unranked | Unranked |
| 7 | Northern Illinois University | DeKalb | Unranked | Unranked |
| 8 | Southern Illinois University Carbondale | Carbondale | Unranked | Unranked |
| 9 | Eastern Illinois University | Charleston | Unranked | Unranked |
| 10 | Northeastern Illinois University | Chicago | Unranked | Unranked |
Our 2026 ranking of the top 10 graphic design school programs in Illinois. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
The Department of Visual Communication Design (VCD) at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) houses the Studio BFA and MFA with a VCD pathway. An Adult Continuing Education (ACE) Graphic Design certificate with a Print Media focus is also available. Students in the BFA and MFA programs benefit from the AIGA student chapter; participation in workshops and lectures through the Chicago International Poster Biennial (CIPB); and the annual visiting designer lecture series Exploratory Languages. Some of the top hiring companies for SAIC VCD graduates include Google, Leo Burnett, Nike, Deloitte, Prada, Motorola, Conagra Brands, Oracle, Target, and Aon.
The School of Art and Design at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) provides two paths to study graphic design. Options include an interdisciplinary Graphic Design BFA (GD BFA) and a Design for Responsible Innovation MFA. The GD BFA program explores areas such as user experience (UX), image making, and typography. The Design for Responsible Innovation MFA (formerly Graphic Design) focuses on visual analytics, interaction, systems and service design, narrative, and graphic design. UIUC Design graduates have been hired at places such as Lockheed Martin, Disney, Boeing, Nike, Apple, IBM, Microsoft, Intel, Google, Ford, Pfizer, Walmart, Capgemini, Target, and Argonne National Laboratory.
The School of Design at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) provides several paths to study graphic design. Undergraduate options include a Graphic Design BDes; the flexible Design Studies BA; a BS in Computer Science and Design; and a Graphic Design MDes. Programs are studio-based with access to electives across other schools and departments. MDes students can participate in the Basel School of Design Summer Workshops at the FHNW HGK Basel Visual Communication Institute in Münchenstein, Switzerland. Graphic Design graduates have secured positions at places such as Amazon, Nike, Google, Apple, Deloitte Digital, Barnes & Noble, URBN, FCB, Northwestern Medicine, Accenture, and PwC.
Columbia College Chicago (Columbia) provides several paths to study graphic design including the BA, BFA, and minor in Graphic Design. The BA allows students to pursue a minor or double concentration and choose a track in Publication Design or Web Design. Popular minors include Creative Advertising, Motion Graphics, User Experience, Design Management, Photography, and Marketing. The BFA is a studio-intensive program that highlights collaborative programs, networking opportunities, and portfolio courses. Across programs, students have opportunities to intern at places such as Leo Burnett and 50,000feet. Graduates have been hired at places such as PepsiCo, Google, Leo Burnett, DDB, Apple, Hilton Hotels and Resorts, L'Oréal Groupe, Vogue, DreamWorks, Framestore, and Rockstar Games.
DePaul University (DePaul) is home to Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM). Within the college is the School of Design, which houses the Graphic Design BFA, Digital Communication, Media, Design (DCMD) MA, and Graphic Design minor programs. MA students can concentrate in Digital Communication or Media Arts. Jarvis highlights include access to state-of-the-art production facilities; professional internships at design studios and nonprofit organizations; collaborative projects; and participation in the School of Design’s Annual Year-End Showcase, Kaleidoscope. Graduates can be found at places such as Google, Amazon, Deloitte Digital, Leo Burnett, Nexstar Media Group, Dell, NBCUniversal, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Ubisoft, IBM, Ford, Accenture, DLR Group, and Oracle.
The Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts at Illinois State University (ISU) houses the School of Art. Within the school is a Graphic Design program with BA, BFA, and BS pathways. A major component of the programs is the opportunity to gain experience at the in-house, student-led creative agency Design Streak Studio and with regional community partners. Other program highlights include access to dedicated computer, fabrication, and graphics communications technology (CGT) labs; the lecture series known as Cross Platform; and study abroad experiences in places such as South Africa, Japan, and Spain. Graduates have landed roles with the Chicago Bears and at places such as Walker Sands, State Farm, Caterpillar (CAT), HALO Branded Solutions, DCC Marketing, Pop Art Studio, and Gerard Agency.
The School of Art and Design at Northern Illinois University (NIU) provides several paths to study graphic design. Options include a Studio Art BFA with a concentration in Visual Communication; BA and BS degrees in Art with access to studio design electives; the Art and Art History and Visual Studies minors; a Digital Fabrication certificate; an Art MA with a Studio Art track; and an Art and Design MFA. Across programs, students have access to state-of-the-art production labs and studios; internships; and the cross-departmental study abroad program—Japanese Culture, Art, History and Education—provided in partnership with Yamaguchi Prefectural University. Graduates have been hired at places such as Nike, Apple, Disney, Activision Blizzard, Google, Live Nation Entertainment, VSA Partners, and AIGA Design.
The School of Art and Design at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU Carbondale) houses the BA, BFA, MA, and MFA degrees in Art and a Communication Design (CD) minor. The Art BFA has a CD specialization, and the Art MFA has a Design specialization. Students in other programs can add the CD minor and/or take design electives. All students have access to Pulliam Design Wing—a state-of-the-art, 24,000-square-foot facility that houses production studios, workshops, labs, classrooms, and the Design Research Studio (DRS). In addition, The Glove Factory at SIU houses painting, drawing, and printmaking studios; sculpture labs; and Surplus Gallery—a 4,000-square-foot art venue that hosts juried and student-organized group shows, the annual Rickert-Ziebold Trust Award Exhibition, and BFA and MFA thesis displays. Graduates can be found at places such as Boeing, L’Oréal, and the Post-Dispatch.
The School of Art and Design at Eastern Illinois University (EIU) has several paths to study graphic design. Options include BA and BFA degrees in Art with a Graphic Design option; a dual 2D Studio Art and Graphic Design BA; a Studio Art MA; and a Graphic Design minor. Degree-seeking students have the opportunity to intern with an on-campus organization such as The Vehicle, EIU Marketing and Communications, or Tarble Museum of Art. Students also have the option to participate in the EIU Study Abroad in Italy Program. This dedicated, faculty-led summer experience highlights excursions to studios and art centers in Pisa, Florence, Rome, Venice, and Bologna. Graduates have been hired at places such as Tribune Publishing, UPS, Live Nation Entertainment, LLT Group, and Pivot Design.
The Graphic Design BFA at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) is a competitive program in which students must pass a mandatory professional portfolio evaluation to advance into upper-level studio blocks. Housed in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Art and Design, the program also has an internship requirement, a low student-to-faculty ratio, and optional minors in Interaction Design, Studio Art, Photography, and Art History. Other program options include a flexible Art BA with a Studio concentration and a Graphic Design minor for non-majors. Across programs, students benefit from access to state-of-the-art production studios; opportunities to study in Mexico, Europe, and South Korea through NEIU’s International Programs in Art + Design and Art History; and The Art Club, which hosts visiting artists and juried student shows. Graduates have secured roles at places such as PBS Chicago, Adler Planetarium, NBCUniversal, the Chicago Tribune, WGN-TV, and the John G. Shedd Aquarium.
