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What are the top public undergraduate User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), and Human Computer Interaction (HCI) schools in the U.S. for 2024?
| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Washington | Washington |
| 2 | University of California, San Diego | California |
| 3 | University of Michigan | Michigan |
| 4 | Purdue University | Indiana |
| 5 | Arizona State University | Arizona |
| 6 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Illinois |
| 7 | University of Texas at Austin | Texas |
| 8 | University of Maryland | Maryland |
| 9 | Pennsylvania State University | Pennsylvania |
| 10 | Rutgers University | New Jersey |
Our 2024 rankings of the Top 10 public undergraduate UX/UI/HCI school programs in the US. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
1. University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
The College of Engineering at University of Washington (UW) is the number one source of all UW start-ups and a national leader in women in engineering. Serving approximately 5,615 undergraduate students, UW College of Engineering also houses one of the nation’s top Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE) programs.
At the undergraduate level, students can earn a BS in HCDE. This competitive program attracts students in their second year of study at the University of Washington. With three major areas of learning including design, technicality, and social scientific, the HCDE program requires 180 credit hours in general education, core and electives, and free electives. Course examples include Interaction Design and Prototyping; Empirical Traditions in Human Centered Design and Engineering; User-Centered Web Design; Inclusive Design and Engineering; Human Data Interaction; and Interactive Systems Design and Technology.
Through the experiential learning requirement, students will have the opportunity to complete an internship, study abroad course, or directed research in HCDE.
Graduates of the HCDE BS program at University of Washington are prepared to pursue positions that involve creating information visualizations, designing for the web, conducting user research, building web technologies, and designing user experiences and interfaces. HCDE graduates hold positions such as UX/UI Designer, User Experience Researcher, Interaction Designer, Consulting Development Analyst, Product Designer (Internet & Software), Program Manager, and Software Architecture Analyst.
Examples of companies and organizations that have hired UW HCDE alumni include Boeing, Amazon, Google, Disney, Microsoft, Apple, T-Mobile, NBC Universal, Accenture, GE Digital, Capital One, Alaska Airlines, Intel, Expedia Group, IBM Designs, Intuit, Lyft, GoDaddy, Razorfish, Verizon, Publicis Sapient, Getty Images, Raytheon Technologies, Adobe, Nike, Starbuck’s, Cisco, Uber, Bungie, Inc., and Getty Images.
Established in 1861, University of Washington serves approximately 60,095 students across campuses in Seattle (main), Bothell, and Tacoma, Washington. Collectively, these campuses provide more than 470 programs and 845 degrees housed across 18 colleges and schools. University of Washington is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). UW Engineering is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
2. University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
The University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego or UCSD) is home to the School of Social Sciences. Founded in 1986, this interdisciplinary school houses 16 departments and programs, including the Department of Cognitive Science (CogSci). The UCSD Cognitive Science community dates back to 1961 and the establishment of the Cognitive Science Society took place in 1979. The Department itself was established around the same time as the School of Social Sciences, making it the first CogSci Department in the world.
Within the CogSci Department are eight undergraduate degree programs and two minors. This includes a BS in Cognitive Science with a specialization in Design and Interaction. With a focus on project-based coursework, the program is designed for students interested in UX design, HCI, mobile app development, web design, usability research, and product design.
The program begins with lower division courses such as Design, Neuroscience, and Programming. Upper division requirements consist of 48 units or 12 courses including a combination of cores and electives. Course examples include Data-Driven UX/Product Design; Advanced Interaction Design; Cyborgs Now and in the Future; Design for Future Creativity and Productivity; HCI Technical Systems Research; Social Computing; Cognitive Design Studio; Information Visualization; Thinking with Computers; and Usability and Information Architecture.
Students have the opportunity to participate in the internship program, study abroad experiences, practicums, and the HCI Portfolio Design Studio.
The Cognitive Science/Design and Interaction BS program at University of California, San Diego culminates with a final online portfolio of the students best work. Graduates are prepared to pursue an advanced degree in UX/UI/HCI or positions such as UX/UI Designer, HCI Specialist, UX Researcher, Graphic Designer, Front-End Programmer, Mobile App Developer, Data Visualization Specialist, Product Manager, Web Designer, Project Manager, Tech Entrepreneur, Software Engineer, and Product Designer.
University of California, San Diego is one of the top 15 research universities worldwide. Founded in 1960, UCSD serves 42,300 students enrolled in more than 100 degrees and programs across six undergraduate colleges, five academic divisions, and four graduate and professional schools. University of California, San Diego is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
3. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
The School of Information at University of Michigan (U-M) serves approximately 1,800 students enrolled in five degree programs. Known as UMSI, the School of Information was the first iSchool in the world to offer the integrated BS in Information (BSI). This program is also one of the few to provide a UX concentration with the option to focus in areas such as Digital Humanities, Social Media, and Entrepreneurship.
Consisting of 120 credits, the BSI UX concentration features courses that guide students idea and design to building and evaluating interactive systems. Courses include Building Interactive Applications;
Putting the H in HCI: Human Perception, Cognition, and Mental Processes; Needs Assessment and Usability Evaluation; User Experience Design Capstone I; and Interaction Design Studio.
Other program features include the dual degree options in collaboration with the Penny W. Stamps School of Art and Design, the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, the College of Engineering, and the Ross School of Business; the opportunity to add a minor offered by any department; study abroad in places such as England, Australia, or Spain; and participation in the internship program (optional).
The BSI UX program at University of Michigan culminates with the User Experience Final Project Students. During this course, students will create a project that demonstrates knowledge and skills related to the analysis, design, and evaluation of interactive systems based on client needs. The User Experience Final Project might include constructing a website for an academic unit or organization; designing a patient-facing or clinical support system; building a mobile health application; or constructing a commercially viable product, among others.
With an average starting salary of $88,000, approximately 97% of BSI graduates work in their field of choice. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Amazon, Meta, KPMG, Deloitte, NBCUniversal, Johnson & Johnson, Samsung, Ford, Procter & Gamble, IBM, Yahoo, Nike, Bain & Company, J. Crew, Ernst & Young, BetMGM, Publicis Sapient, Uline, Epic Systems, PNC, Visa, L’Oreal, PepsiCo, TechSmith, Accenture, and Slalom.
Job titles include UX Designer, User Centered Design Analyst, Interaction Designer, UX Associate Consultant, UI Designer, UI Developer, Associate UX Designer, UX Researcher, UX/UI Software Engineer, Lead Product Designer, and Innovation Development Analyst, and Junior Associate Experience Designer, among others.
University of Michigan is one of the first public universities in the nation. Established in 1817 in Detroit, Michigan, the school serves 52,065 students, making it the largest school in the state for the third consecutive year. U-M provides more than 275 degree programs across 19 colleges and schools. University of Michigan is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
4. Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
Purdue University is home to Purdue Polytechnic Institute—a technology college that provides more than 30 BS programs that focus on innovation, hands-on learning, and interdisciplinary study. One of the 10 colleges of Purdue University, Purdue Polytechnic has six academic departments from Aviation and Transportation Technology to Computer Graphics Technology.
Within the Institute’s Department of Computer Graphics Technology (CGT) Department is a CGT program with five career-ready undergraduate majors. This includes the UX Design.
Courses for this BS program are taught in two types of studios: Learning and Experience. Areas explored in the Learning Studios include user research, creating and assessing prototypes, and solving problems. Course examples include Fundamentals of Imaging Technology; Introduction to Data Visualization; Contemporary Problems In Applied Computer Graphics; Internet Foundations Technologies and Development; and Computer Graphics Professional Practices.
In the Experience Studios, students will apply the skills acquired in the Learning Studios to a variety of projects for industry clients. Examples include visual interfaces, websites, kiosks, mobile apps, desktop applications, educational tools, vehicle dashboards, productivity applications, and smartwatches. Upon completion of the program, students will have 3.5 years of solid experience working on real projects for real clients.
Graduates of the CGT UX Design BS program at Purdue University are prepared to seek careers in all industries that utilize UX. Sample job titles include User Experience Engineer, Front-end Developer, User Researcher, and User Interface Designer. Potential employers include Microsoft, Amazon, Google, JPMorgan Chase, and Salesforce.
Established in 1869, Purdue University serves approximately 52,210 students from all 50 states and 135+ countries. Approximately 11% of all students are enrolled in Purdue Polytechnic Institute. Purdue provides more than 400 programs across 11 academic colleges and schools. Purdue University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
5. Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University (ASU) is the nation’s largest engineering program. Housing eight schools, Fulton provides 25 undergraduate programs and nearly 50 graduate programs to approximately 31,815 students from all 56 states and nearly 160 countries. Among Ira A’s eight schools is The Polytechnic School, which houses the Human Systems Engineering program. At the undergraduate level, the program has a User Experience concentration that leads to a BS.
The design, development, and evaluation of products is at the center of the User Experience curriculum. Students in this program will explore topics in areas such as technical communications, the web, visual displays, human factors, and psychology. Course examples for the concentration include UI/UX Consulting; Multimedia Authoring, Scripting and Production; Product Design and Evaluation; Visualizing Data and Information; Web Site Design and Internet/Web Technologies; User Experience; and New Media Internet Technologies.
In addition to extensive coursework in UX, the Human Systems Engineering program at ASU provides the opportunity to complete an internship and a study abroad experience, with access to over 300 programs in more than 65 countries. Examples include China, Spain, France, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland, Colombia, South Africa, Argentina, Sweden, Japan, and the UK. ASU study abroad experiences range from one week to one year.
All ASU Engineering students also have access to the Fulton Schools Career Center, which prepares students year-round for career fairs and job opportunities. The Fulton schools has numerous engineering-focused Career Fair days in Fall and Spring. These events attract major corporations and organizations from across the country.
Some of the top employers who participate in Fulton Schools Career Fairs include Amazon, Boeing, Microsoft, Oracle, Verizon, Cisco Systems, American Express, Honeywell, the U.S. Armed Forces, Deloitte, General Motors, American Airlines, Epic Systems, Intel, Lockheed Martin, Cox Communications, Starbucks, Infosys Limited, Choice Hotels International, eBay, Inc, PayPal, and the U.S. Federal Government.
Graduates of the Human Systems Engineering (User Experience) program at Arizona State University are prepared to pursue positions at these and other companies across the U.S. and abroad. Potential job titles include UX Engineer, Product Designer, UX Designer, UX Architect, Visual Designer, UX Strategist, UI Designer, UX Prototyper, Motion Designer, UX Writer, Interaction Designer, and UX Researcher.
Arizona State University opened on Feb. 8, 1886 as Territorial Normal School (TNS)—the state’s first higher education institution. On the first day of class, TNS welcomed 33 students to a four-classroom building in Tempe, Arizona. Today, ASU serves approximately 142,635 students from across the U.S. and close to 160 other countries. More than 800 degree programs are provided across four campuses, 16 colleges and schools, and ASU Online. Arizona State University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Engineering at ASU is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
6. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois
The School of Information Sciences at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) launched in 1893 as a library school. Today, the school provides nine degree programs, including one of the oldest existing Library and Information Science (LIS) doctoral programs in the U.S. Known as the iSchool at Illinois, the School of Information Sciences also houses a BS in Information Sciences (BSIS) program with a Human Computer Interaction (HCI)/User Experience (UX) pathway.
This interdisciplinary STEM-designated degree program focuses on designing information systems and services; interpreting and using data for real-world collaboration and application; and organizing, evaluating, and managing information for varied users. Students will master these areas and others through 123 credit hours of coursework consisting of core courses, electives, and general education requirements. Course examples include Social Aspects of Information Technology; Programming for Information Problems; Quantitative Reasoning; Design of Usable Interfaces; Entrepreneurial IT Design; Mobile Applications; Topics in Human-Centered Design & Systems; Adaptive Minds and Computers; Web Content Strategy & Management; User Research & Evaluation; Cognition in the Wild; and Accessible & Inclusive Technologies.
To enhance the degree, HCI/UX students have the opportunity to take courses, minors, certificates or even dual degrees from complementing disciplines such as Computer Science, Graphic Design, Human Centered Design, Art & Design, or Psychology. In addition, all iSchool students may participate in the study abroad program.
Provided in partnership with Illinois Abroad and Global Exchange (IAGE), the iSchool study abroad program consists of Virtual Global Experiences (VGE) including internships, research, and projects with companies, organizations, and universities in places such as Brazil, South Africa, Barcelona, India, Asia, and the Middle East.
Graduates of the BSIS HCI/UX program at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are prepared to pursue positions locally, nationally, and abroad in fields such as finance, arts and communications, education, government, and health care. Examples of career paths include UX Designer, Human-Centered AI Designer, UX Researcher, Human-Computer Interaction Researcher, UX Design Innovator, Content Strategist, UX Product Designer, Digital/Mobile Application Developer, UX Writer, Product Manager, UX Consultant, Web Developer, and Digital Producer.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign was established in 1867 as Illinois Industrial University. The second oldest public school in the state, UIUC serves 55,500 students from 50 U.S. states and 126 countries. More than 150 undergraduate programs and over 100 graduate and professional programs are offered across 16 colleges and instructional units. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
7. University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
The School of Information at University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) is a founding member of the International iSchools Organization. This global consortium of 131 universities focuses in education research, and problem-solving in areas such as human-computer interaction, information organization and access, data science, information integrity, and bibliometrics. To date, iSchools has managed 10 projects and initiatives, hosted 18 conferences, and funded 20 grants.
Founded in 1948 And serving approximately 400 students, the School of Information at UT Austin (UT iSchool) provides a variety of programs at all degree levels. Among them is an undergraduate Informatics program. Launched in 2021 and leading to a BA or BSI, this interdisciplinary program has six major concentrations, including User Experience (UX) Design. Course examples include Introduction to User Experience Design; Programming for Informatics; Advanced Topics in User Experience Design; Career Success in the Digital Organization; and Human Centered Data Science.
Students in this and all UT iSchool programs have access to internship opportunities, study abroad experiences, and two labs including the Information eXperience Lab (IX Lab) and the Immersive Human Development Lab. The IX Lab is a state-of-the-art research facility that focuses on HCI, UX, usability, accessibility, and the interactions between humans and information sources. The Immersive Human Development Lab specializes in the effects of virtual reality and immersive experiences across the lifespan from childhood to adulthood.
In the final year of the BA/BSI UX Design program, students will complete a semester-long capstone course. The resulting projects are presented at a poster presentation session prior to graduation.
Graduates of the Informatics programs at UT Austin are prepared for careers in technology, government, business, products and services, education, and more. Top job titles include UX Designer, UX Researcher, Analyst, and Data Engineer.
University of Texas at Austin serves approximately 52,385 students, making it one of the largest universities in Texas. Founded in 1883, the school provides more than 155 undergraduate degree programs across 170+ fields of study, along with nearly 240 graduate degree programs—including close to 100 doctoral programs. The academic offerings at UT Austin are housed across 19 distinct colleges and schools. University of Texas at Austin is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
8. University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
The College of Information Studies at University of Maryland (UMD) houses an undergraduate Technology and Information Design (InfoDesign) program that leads to a BA. As part of the UMD INFO College (or iSchool), the BA program provides opportunities to connect with one of more than 400 top industry partners through the INFO Corporate Partnership Program. Employers, corporations, and organizations engage with students through hands-on capstone projects, campus events, and UMD’s Careers Listserv.
The UMD INFO College also provides hands-on learning opportunities at the school’s research centers and labs. Examples include the Human-Computer Interaction Lab (HCIL); the Center for Archival Futures (CAFe); the Values-Centered Artificial Intelligence (VCAI) Initiative; and the Computational Linguistics and Information Processing (CLIP) Lab.
Technology and InfoDesign BA at UMD requires 120 credit hours. This includes a combination of general education, major, and elective courses. Sample courses include AI and Society; Designing Fair Systems; Modeling and Simulating Systemic Problems; Cross-disciplinary Design Communication Lab; and Prototyping and Development Technologies Studio. Examples of major electives include Information User Needs and Assessment; Video Games as Emergent Experiences; Designing Patient-Centered Technology; Information Organization; and Game Design Studio.
The culminating experience for the Technology and InfoDesign BA at University of Maryland is the Integrated Capstone for Technology and Information Design course. This semester-long course consists of working in teams on a project for a real-world client. This includes identifying client problems and designing solutions. Based on what they’ve learned during the course of the BA program, students will build design proposals; direct system and user analyses; and review project achievements and defeats.
Graduates of the UMD INFO College are prepared to pursue a variety of roles at companies and organizations across industries. College alumni have gone on to reconstruct the New York Times UX; address Chicago’s information infrastructure; govern the American Library Association (ALA); and oversee social media for the United Nations. UMD iSchool alumni also work for Google, Booz Allen Hamilton, Facebook, National Geographic, Capital One, Walmart, AT&T, the National Standards Bureau (NIST), and VIDAA.
Founded in 1856, University of Maryland is the flagship institution of the State of Maryland. The school employs more than 14,000 faculty and staff members that serve approximately 40,710 students. UMD provides more than 300 academic programs across 12 colleges. University of Maryland is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
9. Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) is home to the world’s largest student-run philanthropy; more than 50,000 career preparedness programs; one of the nation’s largest athletic programs; and 20 expansive undergraduate campuses across the state. The school’s main campus (University Park) houses the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), which provides more than 30 on-campus and online programs at all degree levels.
At the undergraduate level, the College of IST at Penn State has a Human Centered Design and Development (HCDD) program that leads to a BS. The program emphasizes three areas: designing and building practical technologies to meet the demands of a constantly evolving world; pinpointing opportunities to augment experiences through the use of technology; and identifying ways in which technology can bolster human activity. Students will utilize quantitative and qualitative techniques within this third area.
Within the HCDD BS program are eight application focus areas. Students may also customize their own focus area. Formal options include Digital Arts and Communication; Healthcare; Geographic Information Systems; Data Sciences; Psychology; Security and Risk; Informatics; and Sociology.
To further enhance the HCDD BS program, the College of IST provides minor options such as Digital Media Trends and Analytics; IST for Communication Arts and Sciences; and Entrepreneurship and Innovation. In addition, students are required to complete at least one HCDD internship to gain valuable experience before graduation. Past internships have consisted of activities such as researching and testing application usability; website consulting; integrating virtual reality in to curriculums; modernizing airport terminals via mobile and web developments; and creating mobile-friendly websites.
Graduates of the BS program at Pennsylvania State University are prepared for a variety of HCDD-related careers across industries. Recent graduates have accepted roles such as User Interface Developer, UX/UI Researcher, Web Application Develop, Product Designer, Usability Engineer, Mobile Application Developer, Information Architect, Instructional Designer, and Systems Analyst.
Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or Penn) is one of only three land- space- sun-, and sea-grant universities in the U.S. Chartered in 1855, the Penn serves approximately 88,115 students from all 50 states and 145 countries. More than 275 undergraduate majors and 300+ graduate and professional programs, are provided across 24 campuses, sixteen academic colleges, and several schools. Pennsylvania State University has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) since 1921.
10. Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
Rutgers University (Rutgers) is home to the School of Communication and Information, which has an Information Technology and Informatics (ITI) major that provides the opportunity to customize the curriculum through several guided pathways. This allows students to explore, select, and build a specialized focus that closely aligns with their specific career goals.
Leading to a BS in ITI, the program requires five foundational courses before students advance into their customized area. Required courses include Introduction to IT and Informatics; Social Informatics; I.T. Fundamentals; Object-Oriented Programming; and Management of Technological Organizations. The most common guided pathways for students interested in human-computer interaction include Data Management, Analytics, and Information Visualization (DMAIV); and Web Design and Development.
Students can build a specialized focus from a diverse selection of primary and secondary electives. Students may also choose a recommended minor to enhance the degree. Across pathways, examples of primary electives include Human-Computer Interaction; Information Visualization; Database Technologies; Networking and Internet Technology; and Data Analytics for Information Professionals. Examples of secondary electives include IT and Web Accessibility; Web Design; and Advanced Web Design Technologies. Recommended minors include Art, Computer Science, Business and Technical Writing, Statistics, and Economics.
All ITI BS students have access to the Intelligent Visual Interfaces (IVI) Lab, which focuses on research in human-computer interaction, visual computing, and artificial intelligence. Housed in the Department of Computer Science in the School of Arts and Sciences, the Lab’s mission is to develop intelligent visual interfaces for human-guided content creation. Note that the Computer Science BS here is another option for students interested in studying HCI.
The ITS BS program at Rutgers University culminates with a senior thesis or experiential-learning course. Students choice. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to pursue careers in their chosen fields. Approximately 96% of Rutgers graduates are either employed or in graduate school within six months of earning their degree. Potential job titles include HCI Specialist, UX Researcher, UX Designer, Product Manager, Interaction Designer, Digital Innovation Manager, Information Architect, Web Administrator, Database Architect, Data Warehousing Specialist, Web Developer, and Business Intelligence Analyst.
Rutgers University was founded in 1766, making it the 8th oldest university in the U.S. with a presence in all 21 New Jersey counties and serving 67,620 students from all 50 states and more than 120 countries, Rutgers is also the largest institution of higher education in New Jersey. The school provides more than 550 undergraduate majors and graduate programs across 29 colleges and schools. Rutgers University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).