| Ranking | School | City | Ranking by Region | National Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan State University | East Lansing | #11 in Midwest | #49 |
| 2 | College for Creative Studies | Detroit | #18 in Midwest | Unranked |
| 3 | Ferris State University | Big Rapids | Unranked | Unranked |
| 4 | Oakland University | Rochester | Unranked | Unranked |
| 5 | Grand Valley State University | Allendale | Unranked | Unranked |
| 6 | Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo | Unranked | Unranked |
| 7 | Wayne State University | Detroit | Unranked | Unranked |
| 8 | Eastern Michigan University | Ypsilanti | Unranked | Unranked |
| 9 | Central Michigan University | Mount Pleasant | Unranked | Unranked |
| 10 | Lawrence Technological University | Southfield | Unranked | Unranked |
Our 2026 ranking of the top graphic design school programs in Michigan. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
The Department of Art, Art History, and Design (AAHD) at Michigan State University (MSU) has several paths to study graphic design. Options include the Graphic Design BFA and minor, and a customizable, fully funded Land-Grant MFA. This means all MFA students receive a full tuition waiver and a stipend. Across programs, all students have opportunities to work in the agency-like workspace known as MSU Design Center. Students will also work and learn in state-of-the-art facilities and classroom-studios located in Kresge Art Center. MSU Design graduates have been hired at places such as Google, Leo Burnett, FCB Chicago, Newell Brands, Saatchi & Saatchi, GM, Marquee Sports Network, and CBS.
The College for Creative Studies (CCS) houses a Communication Design and Strategy BFA that focuses on graphic design, design direction, user experience and user interface (UX/UI) design, motion graphics, marketing, and tactical copywriting. This STEM-designated program also features professional internships at places such as IDEO, Microsoft, and Apple; collaborative real-world projects; visiting artists and designers; state-of-the-art production facilities; and semester- or year-long study abroad experiences in places such as the UK, China, and Israel. In addition to Apple, IDEO, and Microsoft, CCS Design graduates can be found at places such as Leo Burnett, Disney, Crispin, Nickelodeon, Google, Pixar, Ogilvy, Nike, Sony, Puma, GM, The Henry Ford Museum, Lego, Adobe, Mattel, and Target.
The College of Business at Ferris State University (Ferris State) provides several paths to study graphic design. Options include the Graphic Communication and Digital Media AAS programs, the Design and Graphic Media Management BS programs, and certificates in Public Relations and Digital Marketing, both with training in graphic design, brand strategy, digital campaigns, and visual storytelling. All programs are collaborative and hands-on with opportunities to work on real-world projects and intern at places such as Hope House of Northwest Michigan and Artists Creating Together (ACT). Students also have opportunities to study abroad in Europe and Asia. Graduates have been hired at places such as Amazon, Cisco, IBM, Huge, Gensler, Bissell, Herman Miller, design vox, Quad Graphics, and Haworth.
The Department of Art, Art History, and Design (AAHD) at Oakland University (OU) houses the Graphic Design BA and minor programs. The minor is ideal for computer science, marketing, and communication majors. The BA highlights internships and design projects at places such as Baker Publishing Group, Bath & Body Works, and Haworth; access to production studios, makerspaces, and the AAHD Media Lab; and dedicated design study abroad tracks in Morocco and Italy. Graduates have secured roles at places such as the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, McCann, UPS, McDonald’s, Fairlife, Be More Digital, Williamson Creative Agency, The Detroit News, Playground Detroit, Inteva Products, and We Vote.
The Department of Visual and Media Arts at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) houses a Graphic Design emphasis area for the Studio Art BA, BS, and BFA degree programs, as well as a Studio Art minor with a Graphic Design track and a Digital Media certificate with a Digital Content Creation track. Across programs, students have opportunities to gain work experience by interning at GVSU’s Lanthorn Newspaper, the promotions office, the marketing and design department, and Johnson Center for Philanthropy, or by interning with external companies such as Steelcase and Corewell Health. Examples of companies that hire GVSU Graphic Design graduates include the New England Journal of Medicine, Amazon, Hallmark, Apple, Patagonia, Rivian, Vox Media, The Onion, IMDb, Periscope Media, 8thirtyfour.com, and ArtPrize.
The Gwen Frostic School of Art at Western Michigan University (WMU) houses a Graphic Design BFA program, which includes a mandatory internship through the Design Center. Students have completed internships with Textron, Kalamazoo Book Arts Center (KBAC), and BC Vision. Other program highlights include the option to add the Graphic and Printing Science certificate or minor; team projects in an environment that mimics today’s creative agencies; a dedicated AIGA WMU student chapter; and summer studio immersions at Basel School of Design in Switzerland. Graduates can be found at places such as Google, Leo Burnett, GM, YouTube, Spagnola & Associates, GHD Partners (NYC), and Bell Flight.
The Department of Art, Art History, and Design at Wayne State University (WSU) provides several paths to study graphic design. Options include a Graphic Design BFA, Graphic Design minor, and Studio Art MA and MFA degrees with a Graphic Design focus. Many degree-seeking students minor in Digital Art and Photography or Animation and Interactivity. Other program highlights include internships at WSU’s on-campus design studio or with partners such as Amazon, GM, and Microsoft; faculty-led study abroad experiences such as the Design in Florence program and the Wayne in Abruzzo cultural residency program; and the Graphic Design Foundations Studio course in the Netherlands. Graduates have been hired at places such as Microsoft, Ford, McCann Detroit, Amazon, and the Detroit Institute of Arts Museum.
The School of Art and Design at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) houses the Art BFA and Studio Art MFA, both with a concentration in Graphic Design. Students have access to the 23,000-square-foot Windgate Arts Complex, which houses state-of-the-art production studios, computer labs, and graduate studios. BFA students have opportunities to intern with EMU Corporate Operations and to study abroad in the UK, Italy, and the Netherlands. Graduate students benefit from faculty mentorship and teaching assistantships for up to four semesters. EMU School of Art and Design graduates have secured roles at places such as IKEA, Owens Corning, Rocket Mortgage, and The Sun Times News.
The College of the Arts and Media (CAM) at Central Michigan University (CMU) provides several paths to study graphic design. Options include an Art BFA program with a concentration in Graphic Design; an interdisciplinary Multimedia Design minor for creative majors that covers graphic design, programming, digital media, and photography; a Digital Arts certificate for creative majors; and a Graphic Design with Photoshop and Illustrator training program for all students. Degree-seeking students can complete design internships with student-run organizations such as Media Graphix, University Communications, and Central Michigan Life (CM Life). They also have opportunities to study abroad through the dedicated design study program at Central Saint Martins in London. Graduates have landed positions at places such as the Whitney Museum of American Art (the Whitney), Amazon, Calvin Klein, and Herman Miller.
Lawrence Technological University (LTU) houses the College of Art and Architecture. Within the college is the Department of Design, which provides several paths to study graphic design. Options include AAS and BFA degrees in Graphic Design and certificates in Graphic Communication (GFX), Graphic Media Arts (GMA), and Digital Media Arts (DMA). All students have access to the buildLab, printLab, materialLab, and fabLab. Degree-seeking students also benefit from dedicated design internships at places such as Ford, GM, Microsoft, Rocket Mortgage, and the Detroit Pistons, and study abroad experiences at the University of Hertfordshire (UK), the University of Limerick (Ireland), Myongji University (South Korea), and Esslingen University (Germany). Graduates have established careers at places such as Microsoft, Ford, Carhartt, the Detroit Institute of the Arts Museum, Cengage, GM, the Detroit Pistons, and Campbell Ewald.
