| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ArtCenter College of Design | Pasadena |
| 2 | California Institute of the Arts | Valencia |
| 3 | California College of the Arts | San Francisco |
| 4 | University of California, Los Angeles | Los Angeles |
| 5 | Otis College of Art and Design | Los Angeles |
| 6 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles |
| 7 | San Diego State University | San Diego |
| 8 | San Jose State University | San Jose |
| 9 | California State University, Fullerton | Fullerton |
| 10 | San Francisco State University | San Francisco |
| 11 | California Polytechnic State University | San Luis Obispo |
| 12 | California State University, Long Beach | Long Beach |
| 13 | Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles |
| 14 | Laguna College of Art and Design | Laguna Beach |
| 15 | California State University, Los Angeles | Los Angeles |
| 16 | Chapman University | Orange |
| 17 | University of San Francisco | San Francisco |
| 18 | California State University, Fresno | Fresno |
| 19 | California State University Northridge | Northridge |
| 20 | California State Polytechnic University, Pomona | Pomona |
Our 2025 ranking of the top 20 graphic design school programs in California. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
The Graphic Design Department at ArtCenter College of Design provides the unique opportunity for all enrolled students to study abroad at the school’s satellite studio—ArtCenter Berlin. Organized like a creative agency, the studio features industry partnerships; sponsored studios and collaborations; department led initiative; and transdisciplinary projects. All students also have opportunities to intern or network with companies and studios such as Amazon, Disney, Blizzard Entertainment, IBM, Apple, Microsoft, and Google. Degrees within the department include the Graphic Design (Gx) BFA and MFA (MGx). A Gx minor is also available. Graduates have been hired at places such as Apple, Dell, Disney, Adobe, Hermes, Riot Games, and DreamWorks Animation.
The School of Art at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) has a Graphic Design program with both BFA and MFA options. The BFA allows students to minor in Digital Arts, Critical Studies, or other options. The MFA has an Integrated Media (IM) concentration consisting of specialized coursework, elective courses, seminars, and critiques. Students in both programs benefit from unlimited access to state-of-the-art facilities and labs; opportunities to work with faculty mentors from day one; internships with major design studios; and study abroad opportunities in places such as London, Paris, and Scotland. CalArts alumni have been hired at places such as Google, Disney, The Whitney Museum of American Art (The Whitney), Apple, Pixar, Sacramento Kings, Marvel, Los Angeles Public Press, Sony, Meta, and Netflix.
California College of the Arts (CCA) has two paths to study graphic design including the Communication Design (CD) BFA and the Design MFA. The BFA highlights advanced studios that allow students to explore areas such as AR/VR, branding, motion design, and editorial publishing. The Design MFA focuses on graphic, industrial, and interaction design. Across programs, students also benefit from dedicated studio spaces, and access to facilities such as the Prototyping Studio and Hybrid Lab, and the Book Arts and Letterpress Studio. MFA students may participate in a yearly retreat at Headlands Center for the Arts. CCA design alumni have been hired at places such as Microsoft, Google, The New York Times, Apple, IBM, Adobe, Meta, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), and Pentagram.
The School of the Arts and Architecture at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is home to the Department of Design Media Arts (DMA). Within the department is a limited enrollment DMA BA and an immersive Media Arts MFA. A Design Communication Arts (DCA) certificate is also available through UCLA Extension. The degree programs explore areas such as visual communication, games, virtuality, and coding for the arts. Most courses are taught as studios, with no more than 22 students for the DMA BA. The Media Arts MFA culminates with a thesis project to be presented at the UCLA MFA Exhibition. The BA culminates with a senior project. Graduates are routinely hired at places such as Apple, Disney, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Deloitte, NBCUniversal, Getty Images, Mattel, and Oracle.
The Graphic Design Program at Otis College of Art and Design (Otis) has BFA, MFA, and certificate options. For all programs, students have the opportunity to enhance the curriculums through electives and experiential learning experiences such as internships and studies abroad. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles across industries. Otis Graphic Design alumni can be found at places such as IDEO, Apple, Mattel, Google, Nike, Microsoft, Amazon, Universal Music Group, Condé Nast, Disney Experiences, DreamWorks, Lionsgate, GUESS, Nickelodeon, Hallmark, Ogilvy, WB Network, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), HBO, Warner Bros., Deutsch, Cartoon Network, and R/GA.
Founded in 1895, Roski School of Art and Design at University of Southern California (USC Roski) is one of Southern California’s oldest art and design schools. The school provides BFA and MFA degrees in Design; a BFA/MFA Design Progressive degree; and an interdisciplinary Communication Design minor. Program highlights include hands-on studio courses; internships at places such as DreamWorks and MTV; and study abroad experiences in South Africa, London, and Australia, among others. Roski graduates have gone on to land positions at places such as Microsoft, Pixar, Sony, Apple, Nike, Google, IDEO, DreamWorks, Vogue, Condé Nast, Meta, Disney, MTV, Cisco, NBCUniversal, Starbucks, Mattel, American Express, Wieden+Kennedy, Paramount, Macy’s, NPR, Deutsch, GUESS, and Atlassian.
San Diego State University (San Diego State or SDSU) houses the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts (PSFA), which serves more than 5,000 students across seven schools. Within the college’s School of Art and Design are two paths to study graphic design including the Art BA with an emphasis in Graphic Design, and an Art MFA with a focus in Graphic Design. Across programs, students enjoy access to computing labs for digital imaging, video, and interactive media; participation in the visiting lecture series; AIGA membership; and studios for screen printing, intaglio, printmaking, letterpress, and book arts. SDSU alumni have been hired at places such as Google, Disney, IBM, Apple, Microsoft, and Intuit.
Established in 1969, the Graphic Design BFA Program at San Jose State University (SJSU) is the only program of its kind in a public university in Silicon Valley. Housed in the College of Humanities and the Arts’ Department of Design, the program features a mandatory internship; lectures and workshops led by studio professionals; collaborations with students in other disciplines; and the opportunity to work on community engagement projects. In addition, students can complete the program entirely online. For students seeking a BA, the SJSU Design Department also offers a Design Studies BA with a Graphic Design specialization. Across programs, graduates can be found at places such as NASA, Lockheed Martin, Disney, Apple, Cisco, Meta, Google, Amazon, Pfizer, NVIDIA, J&J, ArenaNet, Tesla, and Abbott.
The Department of Visual Arts at California State University, Fullerton (Cal State Fullerton) is home to the Art BFA, MA, and MFA programs. All students may concentrate in Graphic and Interactive Design. Other program benefits include workshops and seminars; visiting artists; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; professional career development services; internship opportunities; and portfolio critiques by leading artists and designers. Department of Visual Arts alumni have been hired at places such as Amazon, Nickelodeon, Lucasfilm, Saatchi & Saatchi, NBCUniversal, Apple, Disney Interactive, ABC, The Jim Henson Company, Electronic Arts (EA), Cartoon Network, PBS, and The Los Angeles Times.
The School of Design at San Francisco State University (San Francisco State or SFSU) has several paths to study graphic design. Options include the Visual Communication Design BS (VCD BS); a Design minor with a VCD pathway; and an interdisciplinary Design MA with a customizable specialization. Program highlights for all options include collaborations with industry partners and community organizations; internships; participation in letterpress printing, interactive media, bookbinding, and rapid prototyping projects; access to DESIGNSPACE; and study abroad experiences at partner institutions such as Brunel University of London, Swinburne University of Technology (Australia), and Dublin Institute of Technology (Ireland). Graduates have gone on to establish careers at places such as Google, the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Cisco, Apple, Kaiser Permanente, Oracle, Autodesk, Dropbox, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
The College of Liberal Arts at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO) has several paths to study graphic design. Options include the Graphic Communication BS (GrC BS); the Art and Design BFA with a Graphic Design concentration; and the flexible GrC minor. Degree-seeking students have opportunities to complete an internship or co-op experience with companies such as Boeing, Disney, Amazon, Northrop Grumman, or Apple. Other program benefits include access to more than 25 centers and institutes; 500+ study abroad programs in 75 countries; and over 17,000 square feet of space dedicated to all types of creative work. Cal Poly SLO alumni have been hired at places such as NASA, Amazon, Northrop Grumman, Nike, Deloitte, Microsoft, PwC, Apple, Disney, E&Y, Google, Addidas, 3M, Patagonia, Adobe, Epson, Los Angeles Dodgers, HP, DuPont, Target, and Shutterfly.
California State University-Long Beach (CSULB or Cal State Long Beach) houses the School of Art (SoA). This is CSULB’s largest school. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) since 1970, the SoA has a Graphic Design BFA program that highlights summer study abroad workshops in places such as Berlin and Prague; internships at local and national companies; the guest artist series; and the opportunity to display works across seven customizable galleries. The program culminates with a final project and portfolio. Graduates can be found at places such as Mattel, Activision, Google, IDEO, Nike, Disney, Fox, Warner Bros. Discovery, Sony, Wolff Olins, Netfilx, and Vans.
Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is home to the College of Communications and Fine Arts (CFA), which houses the Studio Arts Program. Based on LMU’s Burns Fine Arts Center, this specialized BFA degree has seven concentrations. This includes Visual Communication Design (Graphic Design). In addition to the 96,000 square feet, state-of-the-art Burns Center, BFA students have access to internship opportunities, the study abroad program, and portfolio workshops. The program culminates with the Senior Design Thesis course and exhibit. Program alumni work at places such as Google, IDEO, American Express, United Airlines, Apple, Paramount Pictures, Wolff Olins, Atlassian, and the LA Philharmonic.
Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) has several paths to study graphic design. Options include the Graphic Design + Digital Media (GD+DM) BFA; Graphic Design BFA with an Illustration emphasis; Graphic Design BFA an Action Sport Design emphasis; and the GD+DM minor that can be taken alone or with a related program. All students benefit from LCAD’s partnerships with companies such as Pixar, Saatchi & Saatchi, and Nike; small class sizes with courses taught by leading industry professionals; access to state-of-the-art studios and facilities; hands-on design projects; and internship opportunities. Graduates can be found at places such as The Smithsonian, Microsoft, Blizzard Entertainment, The New York Times, Kawasaki, Amazon, Google, Nintendo, Apple, Nike, Sony, NBCUniversal, Riot Games, Meta, and Target.
The College of Arts and Letters at California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) houses the Department of Art. Accredited by National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the department provides Art BA and MFA degrees with a Design option. This includes Design Option Graphic Design/Visual Communication and Animation. All programs highlight weekly exhibitions of student work in the student-run COMA Gallery; access to state-of-the-art labs and studios; professional internships; and study abroad experiences in places such as Italy and China. Graduates can be found at places such DreamWorks, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), Sony Pictures, Marvel Studios, and Graphic Ink.
Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Chapman University (Chapman) is home to the Department of Art. Within the department is a Graphic Design program with BFA and minor options. The 24 credit hour minor is open to all students with approval. Both programs feature internship opportunities at places Quicksilver, Seventeen Magazine, and O’Neill and study abroad experiences in places such as Ireland, Thailand, and Spain. Graphic design students may also take courses from other majors such as Advertising, Creative Industries, Business, and Marketing. Chapman alumni are often hired at places such as Boeing, Google, Microsoft, Los Angeles Angels, Paramount Pictures, Apple, DreamWorks, Amazon, NBCUniversal, Disney, Blizzard Entertainment, Netflix, Walmart, and Experian.
The College of Arts and Sciences at University of San Francisco (USF) houses the Department of Art + Architecture. Within the department is an interdisciplinary Design BA program and a Design minor for students in other creative majors. Students in both programs have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working in USF’s Graphic Center. Other program benefits include access to state-of-the-art studio facilities; a mandatory internship; participation in design competitions; and the Exhibition Design Practicum. USF Design alumni have been hired at places such as Ubisoft, Oracle, Google, Cisco, Apple, Disney, the ACLU, Dwell Magazine, HarperCollins Publishers, Adidas, Discovery Center, and Pandora.
The School of Art, Design and Art History at California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) houses a Graphic Design BFA program that features courses such as Professional Advertising Design; Graphic Systems; and User Experience and Interface Design. Courses for the program are led by designers with extensive experience in the advertising, illustration, corporate identity, and packaging industries. Other program benefits include access to state-of-the-art media production facilities; the Perenchio Internship Program; and study abroad experiences in places such as France, Japan, and Spain. Graduates have established careers at places such as Cisco, Adidas, and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
California State University Northridge (CSUN) is home to the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication (AMC). Within the AMC is the Department of Art and Design, which houses the Art BA with a concentration in Communication (Graphic) Design. Students may collaborate and gain experience through clubs and organizations such as Student Advertising Graphics Association (SAGA), IntersectLA (IXLA), or the Printmaking Society. Other program benefits include access to state-of-the-art labs and studios; professional internships; and study abroad experiences. The program culminates with a portfolio of the student’s best work. CSUN Art and Design alumni have been hired at places such as Microsoft, Northrop Grumman, Universal, Disney, Apple, Google, Amazon, Marvel Studios, Cartoon Network, DreamWorks, Honda, Fox Sports, Netfilx, Warner Bros., MGM, Autodesk, Paramount, and NBC.
The College of Environmental Design at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona) houses the Visual Communication Design Program. Students in this BFA program have the option to concentrate in Graphic Design. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the program explores areas such as illustration, typography, environmental graphic design, packaging, motion graphics, and identity design. Electives allow students to explore additional areas of art and design such as printmaking, ceramics, video, and sculpture. A juried exhibition takes place each year. The program culminates with a senior capstone. Graduates can be found at places such as NASA, Boeing, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, PepsiCo, Oracle, FedEx, Disneyland Resorts, Tesla, Netflix, Sony Pictures, TI, 20th Century Studios, Northrop Grumman, Western Digital, Raytheon, and Gensler.
