| Ranking | School | City | Ranking by Region | National Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ArtCenter College of Design | Pasadena | #1 on West Coast | #2 |
| 2 | California Institute of the Arts | Valencia | #2 on West Coast | #4 |
| 3 | University of California, Los Angeles | Los Angeles | #3 on West Coast | #17 |
| 4 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles | #5 on West Coast | #27 |
| 5 | Otis College of Art and Design | Los Angeles | #6 on West Coast | #30 |
| 6 | San Diego State University | San Diego | #7 on West Coast | #32 |
| 7 | San Jose State University | San Jose | #9 on West Coast | #38 |
| 8 | California State University, Long Beach | Long Beach | #10 on West Coast | #44 |
| 9 | California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo | #11 on West Coast | #46 |
| 10 | California State University, Fullerton | Fullerton | #13 on West Coast | Unranked |
| 11 | San Francisco State University | San Francisco | #15 on West Coast | Unranked |
| 12 | Laguna College of Art and Design | Laguna Beach | #16 on West Coast | Unranked |
| 13 | Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles | #17 on West Coast | Unranked |
| 14 | Chapman University | Orange | #18 on West Coast | Unranked |
| 15 | Institution Temporarily Paused By Publisher | |||
| 16 | California State University, Los Angeles | Los Angeles | #21 on West Coast | Unranked |
| 17 | University of San Francisco | San Francisco | #24 on West Coast | Unranked |
| 18 | California State University, Fresno | Fresno | #25 on West Coast | Unranked |
| 19 | California State Polytechnic University, Pomona | Pomona | Unranked | Unranked |
| 20 | California State University, Northridge | Northridge | Unranked | Unranked |
Our 2026 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 houses a studio-rich Graphic Design (Gx) BFA that provides access to specialized facilities such as the Hoffmitz Milken Center for Typography (HMCT) and dedicated exhibition spaces such as the Graphic Design Gallery. A Gx MFA (MGx) with two- and three-year tracks is also available. The two-year track has internship and independent study options, and the three-year track features foundational design prep. All students have opportunities to study abroad at ArtCenter Berlin and work on campus at The Agency for real clients such as Netflix and Nike. Graduates can be found at places such as Sony Pictures, Microsoft, Google, Walt Disney Imagineering, Amazon, Riot Games, Nike, DreamWorks, Marvel Studios, The New Yorker, Dell, Netflix, and IDEO.
The School of Art at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) houses a Graphic Design program with BFA and MFA options. BFA students can minor in Digital Arts, Critical Studies, or Arts Education. The MFA is an experimental degree with a two-year track for established graphic designers and a three-year track (PMFA) for students from other creative backgrounds. All students have access to faculty mentors beginning on day one; opportunities to complete an internship with a major design studio; study abroad experiences in places such as London and Paris; and unlimited 24/7 access to state-of-the-art facilities and labs. CalArts alumni have been recruited by places such as Walt Disney Imagineering, Google, Riot Games, Pixar, Apple, Blizzard Entertainment, DreamWorks, and Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE).
The School of the Arts and Architecture at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is home to the Department of Design Media Arts (DMA). Within the department is a limited-enrollment, technology-focused Design BA and a competitive three-year Media Arts MFA. A Design Communication Arts (DCA) certificate is available through UCLA Extension. Degree-seeking students benefit from studio courses; very small class sizes; professional internships; and study abroad experiences. The BA culminates with the Senior Capstone Project and Senior Exhibition. MFA students will complete a thesis project to be presented at the UCLA MFA Exhibition. Graduates can be found at places such as NBCUniversal, Apple, Riot Games, Microsoft, Nike, Getty Images, Netflix, Google, Disney, Amazon, Mattel, Deloitte, and Hulu.
Roski School of Art and Design at the University of Southern California (USC Roski) houses a Design program with BFA and MFA pathways; a flexible BFA/MFA Design Progressive degree; and an Art BA with a Design track. A Communication Design minor is also available as well as an integrative Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation BS. Across programs, students have opportunities to intern at places such as the Getty Center and Disney. Other program highlights include hands-on studios led by industry professionals; study abroad experiences in places such as London, Shanghai, and Berlin; and access to state-of-the-art digital media facilities. USC Roski graduates can be found at places such as Pixar, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Microsoft, Google, IDEO, Amazon, Wieden + Kennedy, DreamWorks, Vogue, Apple, NBCUniversal, Nike, Disney, MTV, Paramount, Mattel, Gensler, and NVIDIA.
The Graphic Design Program at Otis College of Art and Design (Otis) consists of STEM-designated BFA and MFA options and a certificate. Curriculums for all programs may be enhanced through experiential learning and specialized electives. Other program highlights include opportunities to work at Otis Design Lab—the school's in-house design agency; the option to add a minor such as Digital Media, Creative Writing, or Motion Design; collaborative studio projects; sponsored mentor projects; and visiting artist workshops. Otis Graphic Design graduates have secured positions at places such as DreamWorks, Ogilvy, Apple, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), IDEO, Microsoft, Condé Nast, Hallmark, Disney, R/GA, Cartoon Network, Google, HBO, Nike, Warner Bros., Mattel, Amazon, Nickelodeon, and GUESS.
The School of Art and Design at San Diego State University (SDSU) provides several paths to study graphic design. Options include a BA in Interactive Media and Graphic Design; a BA in Integrated Design; an Art MFA with a Graphic Design emphasis; and certificates in Graphic Design and Digital Arts. SDSU and ed2go have partnered to provide additional certificates in Graphic Design with Photoshop and Illustrator, and Multimedia Arts. All degree-seeking students benefit from the visiting lecture series; AIGA membership; access to digital imaging, video, and interactive media labs; and studios for book arts, letterpress, printmaking, and more. SDSU Design graduates can be found at places such as Google, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Amazon, Disney, Microsoft, Apple, Qualcomm, IBM, Intuit, and FASTSIGNS International.
The Graphic Design BFA at San Jose State University (SJSU) is the only program of its kind at a public university in Silicon Valley. Established in 1969 and housed in the Department of Design, the program includes a mandatory internship and opportunities to work on community engagement projects. In addition, the BFA can be completed entirely online. Another option for aspiring graphic designers is the Design Studies BA with a Graphic Design specialization. Across programs, students benefit from collaborations with students in other majors, and lectures and workshops led by industry professionals. SJSU Graphic Design graduates have been hired at places such as NASA, Samsung, Microsoft, IDEO, Google, Disney, Amazon, Cisco, Apple, Lockheed Martin, Nike, NVIDIA, Adobe, and Chase.
California State University-Long Beach (CSULB or Cal State Long Beach) houses the School of Art (SoA). Within the school is an impacted limited-enrollment Graphic Design major that follows an immersive studio, four-semester assigned cohort structure. Students in other BFA programs can apply to the Graphic Design minor program. At the graduate level, CSULB houses an Art MFA with a concentration in Studio Art. Students in this program have the option to focus their thesis studio and research on graphic design. Other program highlights include study abroad workshops in places such as London and Paris; the guest artist series; and customizable galleries for student exhibits. Graduates have been recruited by places such as HarperCollins Publishers, Mattel, Disney, the LA Times, Landor, and Getty Publications.
The Art and Design Department at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) has a Graphic Design concentration that highlights portfolio reviews by design professionals. Leading to an Art and Design BFA, the program explores UX/UI, packaging design, illustration, typography, identity design, and publication design. Cal Poly’s Graphic Communications Department offers a BS in Graphic Communication (GrC BS) with a Design Reproduction Technology concentration. The program focuses on the technical aspects of packaging, printing, and publishing. A GrC minor is also available. Across programs, graduates have been hired at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), NASA, Microsoft, Apple, Google, Amazon, Mattel, Nike, Disney, Adidas, Patagonia, 3M, and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The graphic design programs at California State University, Fullerton (Cal State Fullerton) are organized under the Department of Visual Arts in the College of the Arts. Options include the Graphic and Interactive Design BFA, MA, and MFA. Program highlights include internships at Disney, Honda, and Activision Blizzard, among others; portfolio critiques by notable artists and designers; immersive workshops and seminars; access to state-of-the-art labs and studios; professional career development services; and faculty-led study abroad experiences in Denmark, London, and Paris, to name a few. Visual Arts graduates have been recruited by places such as Saatchi & Saatchi, Cartoon Network, Amazon, PBS, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Sony, Lucasfilm, Savage X Fenty, Adobe, NBCUniversal, Apple, Disney, ABC, Electronic Arts (EA), The Los Angeles Times, Monster Energy, The Jim Henson Company, and Landor.
The College of Liberal and Creative Arts at San Francisco State University (SFSU) houses the School of Design, which provides several paths to study graphic design. Options include a Visual Communication Design BS (VCD BS); a Design minor with a VCD pathway; and Design MA that focuses on interdisciplinary VCD. Highlights across programs include opportunities to intern at places such as Adidas, Google, and Hearst; access to DESIGNSPACE; collaborations with community organizations and industry partners; participation in specialized projects in interactive media, rapid letterpress printing, and bookbinding; and study abroad experiences at partner universities in London, Australia, and Ireland. Graduates can be found at places such as the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Amazon, Google, Apple, Cisco, Pottery Barn, Adobe, Oracle, Dropbox, Adidas, San Francisco Public Press, and Old Navy.
Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) has a number of 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 with an Action Sport Design emphasis; and the GD+DM minor that can be taken alone or with any major. All students benefit from partnerships with companies such as Pixar, Nike, Saatchi & Saatchi, and Hurley; small classes led by industry professionals; collaborative, hands-on design projects; access to state-of-the-art production studios and labs; and internships at places such as Pixar, Sony, Cartoon Network, Disney, and Blizzard Entertainment. In addition to these companies, graduates have secured positions at places such as Apple, Google, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Riot Games, Sony, Amazon, The New York Times, Nickelodeon, Hasbro, Nintendo, Coca-Cola, NBCUniversal, Vans, and Warner Bros.
The College of Communications and Fine Arts (CFA) at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) houses an Art and Design BFA program with a concentration in Visual Communication (Graphic Design). Program highlights include professional internships at places such as Sony, Deutsch Advertising, and Hulu; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; portfolio workshops; and participation in the Senior Design Exhibit. Graduates have been hired at places such as Apple, Google, IDEO, Paramount Pictures, Disney, Hulu, Warner Bros., Netflix, United Airlines, Live Nation Entertainment, American Express, and YouTube.
Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Chapman University (Chapman) is home to the Department of Art. Within the department are a Design BFA program (formerly Graphic Design) and a 24-credit-hour Graphic Design minor. Program highlights include mandatory internships (students have interned at HBO, Obsidian Entertainment, and the Long Beach Museum of Art, among others); the option to minor in Advertising, Computer Science, or Marketing, to name a few; sophomore/junior portfolio reviews in the Guggenheim Gallery and an AIGA portfolio review; and participation in the five-week Sustainable Design summer course in London or a semester abroad in places such as Spain or Thailand. Chapman Design graduates often land roles at places such as Amazon, Boeing, Warner Bros., Sony, DreamWorks, Google, Blizzard Entertainment, Disney, Microsoft, Apple, Netflix, and Adidas.
The College of Arts and Letters at California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA), provides many paths to study graphic design. Housed in the school’s Department of Art, options include an Art BA with a Graphic Design/Visual Communication option; an Art MA with a Design option; and an Art MFA with a Design (Graphic Design/Visual Communication, Animation) option. All students benefit from collaborative activities across photography, studio art, and animation; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; opportunities to intern with partners such as the Getty Foundation and Warner Bros. Discovery; weekly exhibitions in the student-run COMA Gallery; and study abroad experiences in places such as Madrid, London, and Copenhagen. Graduates can be found at places such as Marvel, Amazon, DreamWorks, Nike, VML, 20th Century Studios, Sony, Gensler, Prologue Films, and Walmart.
The Department of Art and Architecture at the University of San Francisco (USF) is home to an interdisciplinary Design BA program that combines graphic design studies with environmental and digital media design. A Design minor is also available. Across programs, students have access to state-of-the-art labs and studios, along with opportunities to participate in design competitions. BA students will complete a mandatory design internship, take courses such as Advanced Typography, Copy Culture, Design for the Climate Crisis, and Design and Social Change, and complete a four-unit Senior Design Project course. USF Design graduates often land positions at places such as Google, Adidas, Chronicle Books, HarperCollins Publishers, Apple, Disney, Ubisoft, Oracle, Pandora, Cisco, and Etsy.
The School of Art, Design and Art History at California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) houses a Graphic Design BFA that incorporates illustration, typography, computer graphics, web design, and motion graphics. Other program highlights include paid internships through the school’s Andrew and Dorothea Perenchio Museum Studies Internship Program; immersive coursework led by notable industry designers; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; study abroad experiences in places such as Japan, Germany, and the UK; and the opportunity to exhibit final projects at the campus-based Phebe Conley Art Gallery. Graduates have been hired at places such as Microsoft, Apple, Google, the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Amazon, Nexstar Media Group, Adidas, and Savage X Fenty.
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona) houses the College of Environmental Design. Within the college is the Art Department, which has a Visual Communication Design (VCD) BFA program with a concentration in Graphic Design (GD). Students in other majors can enroll in the Studio Arts minor with GD support tracks or the Graphic Design with Photoshop and Illustrator certificate, offered through the College of Professional and Global Education (CPGE). VCD students have interned at places such as Hard Rock International (HRI) and the Muckenthaler Cultural Center. Study abroad experiences have taken BFA students to Germany, Spain, and France, to name a few. A juried exhibition takes place annually. Graduates can be found at places such as Google, NASA, Apple, Boeing, Amazon, Gensler, Lockheed Martin, Netflix, PepsiCo, Raytheon, Disney, Monster Beverage Corporation, and Sony.
The Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication (AMC) at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) houses the Department of Art and Design. Within the department are several paths to study graphic design, including an Art BA with a Communication Design concentration; the Visual Arts MA and MFA, each with a Design option; and a 24-credit-hour minor with communication design electives. The Tseng College at CSUN houses additional options, including an Interactive Digital Media track and a Design Experiences and Interactions (DEI) certificate. Degree-seeking students have interned at places such as Marvel, Disney, and NBCUniversal; studied abroad in Japan and the UK; and gained valuable experience through IntersectLA (IXLA) and the Student Advertising Graphics Association (SAGA). Graduates have secured roles at places such as Amazon, EY, Apple, DreamWorks, Microsoft, Google, Northrop Grumman, Cartoon Network, Autodesk, Netflix, and Fox.
