| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pennsylvania |
| 2 | Stanford University | California |
| 3 | Parsons School of Design | New York |
| 4 | ArtCenter College of Design | California |
| 5 | School of Visual Arts | New York |
| 6 | California College of the Arts | California |
| 7 | DePaul University | Illinois |
| 8 | Northeastern University | Massachusetts |
| 9 | Cornell University | New York |
| 10 | University of Arizona | Arizona |
Our 2025 rankings of the Top 10 private graduate UX/UI/HCI school programs in the US. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) has two graduate UX/UI/HCI programs. Options include a STEM-designated Master of Human-Computer Interaction (MHCI) and the terminal Master of Design (MDes) in Design for Interactions. The MHCI is the first program in the world dedicated to preparing professionals for HCI, UI research, and user-centered design (UCD) careers. The MDes is one of the nation’s oldest design programs. Graduates of the MHCI and MDes programs at CMU are routinely hired at places such as Microsoft, Apple, NVIDIA, Oracle, Amazon, Google, Bain & Company, IDEO, Mayo Clinic, and Deloitte.
The School of Engineering at Stanford University (Stanford) houses the Department of Computer Science. Within the department is a Computer Science MS with a specialization in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Students in other advanced degree programs can enroll in the HCI graduate certificate program. All students benefit from hands-on learning, collaborative projects, and research activities. Many graduates of Stanford’s HCI MS and graduate certificate programs go on to launch their own companies or work for Silicon Valley start-ups. Others have gone on to secure leadership roles at places such as Microsoft, NVIDIA, Apple, Google, Oracle, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, Adobe, and Meta.
Parsons School of Design (Parsons) is a college within The New School. For students seeking advanced roles in UX/UI, Parsons houses a studio-based Design and Technology MFA, and an accelerated, one-year Master of Professional Studies in Communication Design (MPS CD) with a Digital Product Design concentration. Both programs are STEM-designated, with opportunities to complete an internship and collaborate on projects with partners such as Ralph Lauren and The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met). Parsons graduates have been hired at places such as Google, Microsoft, Capital One, McKinsey & Company, Goldman Sachs, American Express, Nike, Louis Vuitton, Nokia, Vogue, and Banana Republic.
The Master of Design (MDes) in Interaction Design at ArtCenter College of Design (ArtCenter) is an accelerated, fully online program that explores user interface (UI) design, human-computer interaction (HCI), and data visualization. Students have the opportunity to work on design projects with industry partners such as Apple, DreamWorks, BMW, Microsoft, Google, Blizzard Entertainment, Amazon, Ford, Disney, Meta, Riot Games, Netflix, Nike, and Mattel. The program culminates with a capstone and thesis presented across multiple platforms. Graduates are often hired by many ArtCenter industry partners.
The School of Visual Arts (SVA) is home to one of the nation’s only design programs with comprehensive digital accessibility and inclusive design course work. Known as ixD (MFA Interaction Design), the program houses its very own Creative Technologist in residence, who mentors students and shares their professional practice. Students also have access to SVA’s Visual Futures Lab. Graduates of this collaborative, studio-based program are prepared to pursue leadership roles across industries. ixD alums work at places such as Microsoft, Google, Reddit, Goldman Sacks, NYU Langone Health, Instacart, and NBC.
California College of the Arts (CCA) houses a STEM-designated Interaction Design MDes program featuring sponsored studios with companies such as Intel, Ford, Oracle, Samsung, Bosch, and Visa. All CCA design students also have access to state-of-the-art facilities such the IxD Studio Space; interdisciplinary Hybrid Lab; Rapid Prototyping Studios; and the VR Lab. Course examples include Core IxD-Visual IxD/UI; Interface; IxD Studio-Experience; Interaction Design; and IxD Studio-Prototyping. Graduates have established careers at places such as Lenovo, Microsoft, Adobe, Google, IBM, and Apple.
The School of Design (SoD) at DePaul University (DePaul) is home to the interdisciplinary Human-Computer Interaction MS and the Human Centered Design PhD programs. Both options focus on areas such as design and production; prototype development; interaction design; and user research. All students have access to the CDM Usability Lab and opportunities to contribute to organizations such as the Chicago Interaction Design Association and XD Roundtable. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles across industries. They can be found at places such as Amazon, United Airlines, Google, Ford, JPMorgan Chase, Hilton Worldwide, AT&T, Target, CVS, Kraft Heinz, and Walgreens.
Northeastern University’s (Northeastern) College of Arts, Media and Design (CAMD) and Khoury College of Computer Sciences (Khoury College) provide several paths to study UX/UI/HCI at the graduate level. Options include the CAMD Experience Design MS and graduate certificate, and the Khoury College Computer Science MS (MSCS) with a concentration in Human-Computer Interaction. Across programs, students benefit from workshops; guest lectures; and labs that support UI/UX/HCI, extended reality (XR), and augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) studies. Graduates have gone on to land leadership roles with the U.S. Air Force, Lockheed Martin, and NASA, and places such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, NBC, Apple, Goldman Sachs, Disney, Oracle, Nickelodeon, AMC Networks, and Meta.
Cornell University (Cornell) houses the Cornell Bowers College of Computing and Information Science. Within the college is an interdisciplinary Information Science Master of Professional (MPS) program with a concentration in Human Computer Interaction or a focus in User Experience or Interactive Technologies. All students have the opportunity to participate in several large research groups, including the Human-Computer Interaction group, ePrint arXiv, and digital libraries research. Cornell graduates are routinely hired at places such as Microsoft, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, Google, Apple, Meta, EY, IBM, Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, Epic, Capital One, Accenture, PwC, Morgan Stanley, and Citigroup.
The College of Information Science at University of Arizona (Arizona or U of A) houses a STEM-designated Information Science (IS) program that allows students to select between a capstone and internship to graduate. Students have interned at places such as Amazon, Intel, Mayo Clinic, and Tesla. Leading to an MS (MSIS), the program also has a Human-Centered Computing focus area, which highlights courses such as User Interface and Website Design; Virtual Reality; and Serious STEM Games. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in UX/UI/HCI. They can be found at places such as Microsoft, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, IBM, Cisco, EY, Deloitte, GE, Booz Allen and Hamilton, and PwC.
