What are the top private undergraduate User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), and Human Computer Interaction (HCI) schools in the U.S. for 2025?
| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pennsylvania |
| 2 | Savannah College of Art and Design | Georgia |
| 3 | Stanford University | California |
| 4 | DePaul University | Illinois |
| 5 | California College of the Arts | California |
| 6 | Cornell University | New York |
| 7 | Drexel University | Pennsylvania |
| 8 | Full Sail University | Florida |
| 9 | ArtCenter College of Design | California |
| 10 | Northeastern University | Massachusetts |
Our 2025 rankings of the Top 10 private undergraduate UX/UI/HCI school programs in the US. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
1. Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Carnegie Mellon University’s Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) major launched in 2020, making it one of the world’s first undergraduate programs of its kind. Housed in the School of Computer Sciences’ (SCS) HCI Institute (HCII), the program has BS, second major, minor, and concentration options. All students have opportunities to engage in projects that focus on digital technologies such as virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), IoT, and fabrication. The program culminates with a team-based capstone course. Graduates are prepared to pursue titles such as UX Designer, Front-End Engineer, Interaction Designer, and UX Engineer. They can be found at places such as Apple, Google, and Amazon.
2. Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Georgia
Developed in collaboration with Google, the undergraduate User Experience (UX) Design BFA program at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) provides the opportunity to work with major corporations such as Microsoft, HP, and Capital One. The school also houses a User Experience Research (UXR) BFA that provides the same opportunities. For students in other SCAD programs, a UX minor is available. Graduates of the UX programs at SCAD have been hired at places such as Google, IBM, Amazon, Microsoft, Lenovo, Apple, JPMorgan Chase, Deloitte Digital, FedEx, Volvo, EY, Uber, and Meta.
3. Stanford University, Stanford, California
The School of Engineering at Stanford University (Stanford) houses the Computer Science Department, which provides tracks in areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Systems, Visual Computing (Graphics), and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). Tracks are available to students enrolled in the Computer Science BS (CS BS) program. HCI is a unique, multidisciplinary track that explores user-centered design thinking with a focus on rapid prototyping, novel interaction techniques, ubiquitous computing, and tools to augment designers’ creativity. Stanford CS BS graduates are routinely hired at places such as Apple, Microsoft, Google, Meta, Snapchat, Netflix, LinkedIn, Arista Networks, and VMware.
4. DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois
DePaul University is home to Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media, which houses the School of Design (SoD). Within the SoD is an interdisciplinary User Experience Design (UxD) BS program that emphasizes creativity and hands-on learning. Areas explored include artificial intelligence (AI), graphic design, data visualization, design research, information technology, and industrial design. SoD students can also earn a UxD minor or a combined BS/MS with dozens of eligible graduate programs. Graduates of the UxD degree programs at DePaul go on to land positions at places such as Google, Deloitte, CVS, Meta, PwC, United Airlines, EY, Hilton Worldwide, KPMG, JPMorgan Chase, AT&T, and Walgreens.
5. California College of the Arts, San Francisco and Oakland, California
California College of the Arts (CCA) houses an Interaction Design (IxD) BFA program that explores human-computer interaction, user experience (UX) design, prototyping, coding, and user feedback. Other program features include sponsored studios by companies such as Intel, Samsung, and Oracle; hands-on learning; a mandatory internship; access to the IxD Studio Space and interdisciplinary Hybrid Lab; and study abroad experiences in places such as London, Paris, and Japan. Graduates of the CCA IxD BFA program have been hired at places such as Microsoft, Apple, Google, Amazon, IDEO, and Adobe.
6. Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
The Information Science major at Cornell University is provided in the College of Arts and Sciences; Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science (Cornell Bowers CIS); and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Depending on the college, students can earn a BA or a BS and concentrate in UX Design. All programs highlight hands-on learning, immersive coursework, and experiential learning opportunities such as internships and study abroad experiences. Programs culminate with a final project and portfolio of the student’s best work. Graduates can be found at places such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, Deloitte, Visa, P&G, Capital One, Accenture, and Meta.
7. Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design at Drexel University houses a User Experience and Interaction Design (UXID) BS program that explores User Interface (UI); Information Architecture (IA); Content Strategy; Project Management; and Full Stack Development. Students have the opportunity to collaborate with other art and design students through Drexel’s in-house lifestyle magazine, graphic design firm, and record label. Students also have opportunities to work with major companies and studios through the school’s co-op program. Drexel UXID graduates have gone on to launch their own studios, pursue graduate studies, or secure positions at places such as Boeing, Amazon, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, Google, NBCUniversal, PwC, Goldman Sachs, and SAP.
8. Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Full Sail University provides two paths to study user experience (UX) design: the accelerated UX BS and a 28-week UX certificate. Course examples across programs include UI Visual Design and Prototyping; Information Visualization; Interactive Media Design and Usability; UX Production; and Systems Design. BS students will also complete six hands-on project and portfolio courses, culminating with a multimedia postmortem presentation. Full Sail UX graduates have been hired at places such as NASA, Universal Studios, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Sony, Apple, Unity, Disney, Google, HBO, and Insomniac Games.
9. ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, California
ArtCenter College of Design houses an Interaction Design BS program that explores graphic, media, entertainment, industrial, and entertainment design. Consisting of 132 units, the program features courses such as Visual Interaction Design-UX/UI; Rapid Prototyping; HCI for Interaction Design; Human Factors and Design Psychology; and Communication Design. The final requirement for the program is the IxD Graduation Studio course, culminating with the virtual senior show. Graduates go on to land positions at places such as Microsoft, Google, NASA, Apple, IDEO, and Meta.
10. Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
Northeastern University (Northeastern) houses one of the nation’s first colleges dedicated to the field of Computer Science (CS). Established in 1982, Khoury College of Computer Sciences has a Computer Science and Design BS that highlights heavy human-centered design coursework and several required co-ops with industry partners such as Google, Meta, and PwC. BS students may also concentrate in Experience or Interaction Design. The program culminates with a final project and presentation. Graduates have been hired by co-op industry partners as well as Amazon, IBM, Oracle, Apple, RTX Corporation, Verizon, Tesla, Fidelity, Goldman Sachs, Boston Children’s Hospital, and CVS Health.