Top 10 Graphic Design School Programs in New York - 2024 College Rankings

Serving approximately 730 students, Design is the third largest program at School of Visual Arts (SVA). The program has multidisciplinary BFA and MFA options that provide access to the SVA Digital Imaging Center; internship opportunities at local and national companies; participation in the student-run Visual Arts Press; and private studios with 24-hour access for graduate students. 

Design at SVA also provides opportunities to engage with guest lecturers; enter competitions covered by networks such as NBC and CNN; and participate in workshops and exhibitions. All students may also take advantage of the program's complimentary membership to The One Club for Creativity, which includes The Art Directors Club and Type Directors Club. 

At the end of every academic year the Design Department also hosts an Industry Review Day for graduating seniors. Designers, creative directors, and editors are invited to meet and network with students. The event is held in-person and virtually. 

The SVA BFA program has four concentration options including Graphic Design; 3D Design; Interaction Design; and Motion Graphics. Students may customize an additional area of focus within their chosen concentration. Examples include information graphics, branding, experiential design, environmental design, package design, editorial design, and book cover design. 

The Design program with a Graphic Design concentration requires 120 credit hours of study including 72 credits in studio art courses. Students will take required courses such as Design Thinking; Graphic Design I-II; Fundamentals of Typography I-II; Intermediate Drawing I-II; and Click, Touch, Move: Designing for Interactive Experiences I-II.  

Other course examples include History of Graphic Design: A Survey of Styles from the Late 19th Century to the Present; Zines; Visual Storytelling: Autobiography Through Visual Language; Experimental Book Art; Integrated Advertising and Communication; Branding; The International Typographic Style; Package Design; Book Design for Today; Multimedia Storytelling for Designers; and Poster Design. 

In the final year of the Graphic Design BFA program at School of Visual Arts, students will complete a series of senior project courses and the following four courses: Graphic Design Portfolio I-II; Presentations Skills Seminar; and Intellectual Property and the Law. Senior project courses include Production Studio for the Graphic Designer; Fashion: The Campaign; Advanced Typography I-II: The Perfect Paragraph; and Differentiate or Die: How to Get a Job When You Graduate. 

Graduates of the Design BFA program at School of Visual Arts have been hired at advertising agencies, design studios, nonprofit organizations, marketing firms, publishing companies, museums, and academic institutions. Some SVA alumni have even launched their own start-ups, studios, and design firms. 

The Design MFA at School of Visual Arts requires 60 credit hours. The curriculum emphasizes leadership and entrepreneurship, so students will explore areas such as advertising, business, networking, ethnography, promotion, marketing, intellectual property, research, publicity, and networking. The curriculum also explores branding, user experience, art book publishing, motion graphics, video, digital publishing, interaction, and new media directing. 

Course examples for the program include Can Design Touch Someone’s Heart?; Design and Branding; The Joy of User Experience; Paul Rand Lecture Series; Intellectual Property and the Law; Logic and Type; Designing a Business; Telling Stories; Seminars I-II; Design in Context; Type for Masters; Design Decisions; and Interaction Aesthetics: Designing Digital Products for the 21st Century. 

During the final year of the Design MFA program at SVA, students will complete a thesis across five courses. The final three courses highlight production; pitch and presentation; and the thesis video and media launch. 

Graduates of the MFA Design programs at SVA have gone on to launch more than 50 design studios around the world. Some program alumni have become partners in businesses and individual projects, while others work for corporations and non-profit organizations. 

School of Visual Arts opened in 1947 as the Cartoonists and Illustrators school. Classes began with just three teachers and 35 students. Today, SVA serves approximately 3,440 students enrolled in dozens of BFA, MA, MFA, and MPS programs. School of Visual Arts is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), with individual program accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).

Established in 2014, the School of Design (SoD) at Pratt Institute (Pratt) houses the Communications Design BFA and MFA programs; the Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) in Graphic Design program; the Graphic Design/Illustration AAS; and a STEM-designated Packaging, Identities and Systems Design MS. 

All SoD programs provide access to the Design studio—a creative space and community for collaboration and design exploration; access to hands-on, immersive maker spaces and production labs; internship opportunities at a field related professional site; and participation in more than 20 study abroad experiences such as faculty led summer excursions, fall and spring break travel, and custom semester programs. Tokyo, Florence, Copenhagen, London, Berlin, Glasgow, and Milan are just a few past destinations. 

The Communications Design BFA at Pratt Institute has an emphasis in Graphic Design. Consisting of 126 credit hours, this interdisciplinary program features upper-level studio courses in areas such as branding, media and platforms, inclusivity, visual systems, interactivity, experience design, motion, and sustainability. All students will have opportunities to explore experimentation, creative coding, independent publishing, user experience, and design writing through electives. 

Course examples for the program include Visualization/Representation; Light Color Design Studio; Process and Production; Typography and Information Design; Branding and Messaging; History of Graphic Design and Illustration; Graphic Design Intensive; 1-3; and Digital Prototyping. The Communication Design BFA at Pratt Institute culminates with the Professional Practice course and Graphic Design Senior Thesis Project. 

The Graphic Design AOS and Graphic Design/Illustration AAS programs allow students to begin creating from day one as each option eliminates general education courses. Designed for high school graduates and adults with or without a degree, the AOS is an intensive, career-track program that features internship opportunities; courses led by industry professionals; and internships across industries at places such as Marvel Studios and The Painting Center. 

Course examples for this 66 credit hour program include Graphic Design I-II; UI/UX Interactive Media I-II; Digital Design; Typography I-III; and Advertising Design I-II. In just two years, AOS students will graduate with a professional portfolio of their best work. Program alumni are prepared to pursue immediate employment in areas such as publishing, interactive media, advertising, package design, marketing, web design, illustration, brand design, and UI/UX design. 

The AAS in Graphic Design/Illustration at Pratt Institute is a 64 credit hour program that prepares students for transfer into the Communications Design BFA, the Fine Arts Department at Pratt Institute, or any other related school or program at Pratt. The AAS combines advanced art and design coursework with liberal studies. Course examples include Drawing I-II; UI/UX Interactive Media; Pre-Press and Print Production; Illustration I-II; Digital Media; Communication Design I-II; and Themes in Art and Culture I-II. 

The Communications Design MFA at Pratt Institute consists of 60 credit hours completed over two years. Taught by renowned professionals in the field, courses for the program include (but are not limited to) Graduate Studio: Visual Language A and B; Design Writing; Graduate Studio: Technology A and B; Origins of Contemporary Communication Design; Graduate Studio: Transformation Design A and B; and Cross-Disciplinary Studio. 

Students in this graduate program will attend seminars and complete a thesis project and exhibition across five courses. Graduates are prepared for academic careers, and leadership positions in areas such as print and digital media, data visualization, user experience design, identity systems and branding, environmental design, typography, information design, social media, design strategy, and interaction design. 

First offered in 1966, the Packaging, Identities and Systems Design MS program at Pratt Institute consists of 48 credit hours, completed over two years. Course examples include Design Ethics and Practice; Packaging Design I-II; Origins of Contemporary Communication Design; Packaging and the Retail Space; Design Management; Prototyping and Production; Cross-Platform Design; and Sustainability and Design.  

The Packaging, Identities and Systems Design MS program culminates with a Capstone Project that results in a professional body of work. 

Graduates of the creative programs at Pratt Institute have been hired at major companies, studios, and organizations such as Apple, Google, Ogilvy, HBO, Penguin Random House, DreamWorks Animation, Hasbro, IBM, Warner Music Group, Peacock, Carhartt, Inc., Dior, RGA, Gensler, Memorial Sloan Kettering, NYC Department of Transportation, Perkins Eastman, Wolff-Olins, Partners & Partners (P&P), HOK Group, and 2x4. 

Founded in 1887, Pratt Institute was one of the nation’s first colleges to welcome students without regard to color, gender, or class. With 1,200 dedicated faculty, the school serves approximately 5,140 students across campuses in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Utica, New York. Around 48 programs are provided across six schools and The Center for Interdisciplinary Studies. Pratt Institute is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

The College of Art and Design at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) houses the School of Design. Within the school are two paths to study graphic design—the Graphic Design BFA and the Visual Communication Design (VCD) MFA. 

Students in the Graphic Design BFA program have opportunities to gain industry experience through cooperative education and internships with top companies in New York and across the country. Coursework for this 120 credit hour program provides additional opportunities to gain real-world experience through collaborative class projects with RIT partners such as Kraft, Unilever, Starbucks, Roomba, and Wegmans. 

Each year, Graphic Design at RIT hosts multiple workshops that encourage collaboration and community engagement. Examples include PUSH and EUREKA! PUSH is a multi-day event led by industry designers. EUREKA allows students to work in multilevel, interdisciplinary teams to complete a project. Students will also work with stakeholders and community organizations on projects that will be presented to a panel of experts. The winning project will move forward to implementation. 

Besides participating in a variety of projects and workshops, Graphic Design BFA students will study everything from branding and identity systems to user interface/user experience (UI/UX) design. Senior electives allow students to choose advanced coursework a specific area of interest. Elective examples include Interactive Design III; Advertising Design; Editorial Design; Typography III; and Collaborative Design. 

All BFA students will take four Graphic Design Studio courses and others such as Motion Design I-II; Experiential Graphic Design; 2D Design; History of Graphic Design; 3D Design; Drawing I-II; and Professional Practices. The RIT Graphic Design BFA culminates with a Graphic Design Capstone and final public exhibition. 

Around 94% of all RIT Graphic Design graduates are employed, pursuing graduate study, volunteering, or in the military within six months of graduating. For those who are employed, typical job titles include Graphic Designer, Visual Designer, Product Designer, Associate Art Director, Identity/Packaging Designer, Illustrator, Digital Product Designer, UI/UX Designer, Motion Designer, UI/UX Designer, Promotions Marketing Coordinator, Presentation Designer, and Social Media Director. 

Program alumni have been hired at places such as Walt Disney Company, ESPN, Adobe, Vogue Italia, Apple, Fisher-Price, Sesame Street, Sports Illustrated, and the NHL. 

The VCD MFA at Rochester Institute of Technology is a STEM-designated, cross-disciplinary program that explores graphic design, 3D digital design, interactive design, UI/UX design, and motion design. Consisting of 60 credit hours, the VCD MFA also allows students to customize a large portion of the curriculum with coursework from other programs and departments. 

Course examples for the program Real Time Design; Digital Media Integration; Design Practice I-II; Branding and Identity Design; Information Design; Programming for Designers; Character Design and Rigging; 3D Particles and Dynamics; UX Design Strategies; 3D Modeling and Motion; and Project Design and Implementation. 

Like the BFA program, the MFA provides access to cooperative education and internship opportunities, as well as workshops, state-of-the art production facilities and studio spaces, and networking through RIT’s Creative Industry Day. The program culminates with two thesis courses: Thesis Research and Planning and Thesis: Implementation and Evaluation. 

With a 100% outcome rate, graduates of the Rochester Institute of Technology VCD MFA program go on land positions such as Senior Graphic or Visual Designer, Product Designer, Creative Director, Motion Graphic Designer, User Experience Researcher, Cinematographer, User Interface (UI) Designer, Game Producer, and User Experience (UX) Designer. 

Rochester Institute of Technology was founded in 1829 as the Rochester Athenaeum. With global campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo, this research university serves 20,570 students, making it one of the largest private universities in the U.S. RIT provides 200+ academic programs across nine colleges and two degree-granting institutes. Rochester Institute of Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Syracuse University (SU) is home to the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) and S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Both provide programs for graphic designers. Within the College of VPA is the School of Design, which houses the Communications Design BFA program. The Newhouse School houses the Visual Communications Department, home to the Visual Communications BS (Vis BS) with a Design track. 

The Communications Design BFA program focuses on hands-on projects that explore areas such as advertising, branding, exhibition design, and graphic design; individual and group collaborations; internships with local and national companies; and study abroad at the SU Center in London, UK or Florence, Italy. 

Course examples for this 120 credit hour program include Communication Design I-II; Digital Tools for Designers I-II; Design Skills & Processes; Analog Design Tools; Design Skills and Processes; History of Modern Design 1850-Present; Design, Cultural Traditions and the Environment; Problem Solving Strategies; and Design Project Management. 

During the final year of the VPA Communications Design program at Syracuse University, students will complete the Portfolio & Practice course. Final portfolios will be displayed at SU’s annual two-day Senior Portfolio Show in New York City. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers as Designers, Art Directors, and Creative Directors at major companies and studios. 

Program alumni have been hired at places such as The New York Times, Apple, Citi, GQ, Major League Baseball, Wired, Pentagram, Bloomberg, Landor & Associates, Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv, Havas Health, CBX, and McCann. 

The Visual Communications BS program in SU’s New House School begins with foundational courses in Multimedia Storytelling; Introduction to Graphic Design; and Introduction to Photography for Multimedia. These courses allow students to work in collaborative teams to produce stories using digital media and the internet; develop problem-solving skills in the layout, typography, and production of digital and print communications; and develop technical skills in production and editing of communications photography and multimedia storytelling. 

Upon completion of the Foundation Year, students will move on Vis and Design track requirements. The track includes the following courses: Motion Design; User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design; Immersive Design; Typographic Design; Type and Image Design; and the Design Capstone (with portfolio). 

Other Vis BS benefits include internship opportunities; study abroad experiences; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; and participation in the design workshop known as Pixels & Print. 

Launched 10 years ago by the Visual Communications Department at the Newhouse School, this 48-hour experience provides the opportunity to create designs for social good. In teams coached by industry professionals, students will design a website; promotional and social motion graphics; a logo and brand system; and a printed book. 

The Visual Communications BS at Syracuse University prepares students for creative careers in areas such as advertising, UI/UX, branding, publishing, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), packaging design, exhibit design, and web design. Sample job titles include Graphic Designer, Art Director, UX Designer, UX Director, Motion Graphics Designer, 3D and Spatial Designer, Product Designer, Film Editor, Photo Editor, Cinematographer, Creative Director, and Commercial Photographer. 

Program alumni have landed positions at places such as Amazon, Google, The Washington Post, New York Daily News, and Grova Creative. Some program alumni have gone on to launch their own design studios and freelance businesses. 

Founded in 1870, Syracuse University is an R1 research university that serves approximately 22,700 students from all 50 states and 120 countries. More than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs are provided across 13 colleges and schools. In addition to campuses in Syracuse, Manhattan, Washington DC, and Los Angeles, Syracuse University operates overseas centers in France, Italy, London, Poland, Chile, and Spain. Syracuse University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

The School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI or Rensselaer) houses the Communication and Media Department. Within the department are several paths to study graphic design. For students seeking a degree, the department has a Communication Media, and Design BS (CMD BS). For students seeking a related degree with a focus in graphic design, the department has a Graphic Design minor and a Graphic and Interactive Media Design Pathway. 

All RPI HASS students may participate in the experiential learning component known as The Arch. During this experience, students may complete a co-op or internship, work with a global corporation, launch a startup, lend a hand at a medical clinic, or work with a government organization such as NASA. Other program benefits include access to state-of-the-art labs, studios, and production facilities; workshops; Visiting artists; participation in student organizations; and opportunities to study abroad. 

The CMD BS at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is designed for students interested in graphic, mixed-reality, and interactive design; literature; media and communication studies; and strategic and creative writing. The Graphic Design minor explores areas such as print and digital media; brand identity design; and symbols and images. Graphic and Interactive Media Design is a flexible pathway that allows students to combine courses from both graphic design and interactive media design. 

Course examples for the RPI BS include Language and Power; Introduction to Graphic Design; Digital Constructs; Life in Color; Strategic Writing; Communication Theory and Practice; Media and Society; Pro-Seminar in Communication, Media, and Design; and Independent Learning Experience (ILE). 

Minor course examples include Brand Identity Design; 2D Motion Graphics; Interactive Data Visualization; Media and Society; Introduction to Graphic Design; Typography; Interface Design: Hypermedia Theory and Application; and Visual Design: Theory and Application. 

In addition to all available courses for the minor, Graphic and Interactive Media Design students at RPI will have access to courses such as Foundations of HCI Usability; User Design Experience; and Interactive Narrative. Across programs, students will complete several projects (including a final project) and a professional portfolio. 

Graduates of the design programs at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are prepared to pursue roles across industries. Sample career opportunities include graphic and multimedia design, technical communication, media production, animation, usability engineering, game design, information architecture, education, instructional and interface design, and industry research. 

Some of the top employers of HASS RPI graduates include DreamWorks, Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Electronic Arts (EA), Bright Hub, IBM, Yahoo, Apple, Whirlpool, Epic Games, TJX Companies, DraftKings, AMC Networks, Facebook, AT&T, Merck, Raytheon, Sledgehammer Games, and Mitsubishi. 

Established in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the nation’s first technological research university. Serving approximately 7,065 students, RPI houses 32 research centers; 746 labs, studios, and technology spaces; five schools; and more than 145 programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MCSHE) and the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).