Top 25 Graduate UX/UI/HCI Schools and Colleges in the U.S. - 2025 Rankings

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 College of Computing (CC) at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is one of the largest technology colleges in the U.S. In collaboration with the Schools of Industrial Design; Psychology; Literature, Media, and Communication (LMC); and Industrial Design, the CC provides a multidisciplinary Human-Computer Interaction MS (MS-HCI) program with a mandatory internship. Students also have the opportunity to earn a Technology Management certificate from the College of Management. Georgia Tech MS-HCI graduates have been hired at places such as NASA, Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon, NVIDIA, Intel, Disney, IBM, Samsung, Google, Apple, Cisco, Meta, Autodesk, Delta Air Lines, and eBay.  

San Jose State University (San Jose State or SJSU) provides two graduate level UX/UI/HCI programs across two colleges. The College of Humanities and the Arts (Department of Design) houses a Master of Design (MDes) with a specialization in Experience Design (XD). The College of Engineering houses the Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) MS (MS HFE) with a User Experience (UX) concentration. This program also allows students to add a Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) emphasis. The MDes culminates with a public showing of a master’s project, while MS HFE students may choose a project or thesis for the culminating experience. Across programs, graduates have been hired at places such as NASA, Oracle, Amazon, IBM, Google, Lockheed Martin, Cisco, Intel, Northrop Grumman, and Adobe. 

University of Maryland (UMD) is home to the College of Information Studies (INFO College or iSchool), which houses the Human-Computer Interaction (HCIM) MS program. All HCIM students have the opportunity to participate in projects, internships, and campus events with partners such as the U.S. Department of Defense, Microsoft, and Google. The program culminates with a two-semester capstone project. HCIM alumni go on to land positions at places such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Microsoft, Google, Amazon, JPMorganChase, IBM, The New York Times, Deloitte, Northrup Grumman, American Airlines, Cisco, PwC, Capital One, Meta, PBS, EY, Accenture, Morgan Stanley, and Ericsson.

The School of Information (ISchool) at University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) houses an Information Studies MS (MSIS) program that allows students to customize a plan of study from 17 different options. Examples include User Experience (UX) Design; Human-Centered Data Science; and User Experience (UX) Research. The program also allows students to obtain one or more certifications and earn a dual degree. Other program benefits include internship opportunities; access to two labs including the Information eXperience Lab (IX Lab) and the Immersive Human Development Lab; and study abroad experiences in places such as Japan and South Korea. UT Austin graduates are routinely hired at places such as IBM, Lockheed Martin, Amazon, Dell, Boeing, Goldman Sachs, Chevron, EY, Wells Fargo, GM, and Accenture. 

University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine or UCI) is home to the Donald Bren School of Informatics and Computer Sciences (ICS). Within the school is the Department of Informatics, which houses the world’s only one-year, mixed format, low-residency Master of Human-Computer Interaction and Design (MHCID). Course examples include User Needs Analysis; Design and Prototyping; User Experience and Evaluation; Innovations in HCI and Design; and Interactive Technology Studio. All students have the opportunity to complete projects with industry partners such as Blizzard Entertainment, Google, and Boeing. Graduates have been hired at place such as Cisco, Amazon, Microsoft, Disney, EY, and Google.  

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 Department of Design at University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is the only comprehensive academic design department in the UC system. Part of the College of Letters and Science, the department houses an interdisciplinary Design MFA with an emphasis in Interactive Design. Electives allow students to refine the emphasis. Examples include UI/UX: Principles and Practices; Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction; Interactive Media I-II; Human-Centered Design; and Prototyping-From Objects to Systems. The program culminates with a thesis exhibition. Graduates can be found at places such as Google, Cisco, Microsoft, Disney, Apple, Intel, Meta, Wells Fargo, Verizon, Tesla, and PayPal. 

The College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) at University of Central Florida (UCF) is home to the School of Modeling, Simulation, and Training (SMST). Within the school is a Modeling and Simulation MS with specializations in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI); Human Systems; and Interactive Simulation, and Cognition, among others. Students can enhance the program by focusing their research in any area—including UI/UX. Some MS graduates have gone on the enroll in UCF’s customizable Modeling and Simulation PhD program. Others have been hired at places such as NASA, Microsoft, Boeing, Epic Games, Lockheed Martin, Activision Blizzard, Sony, and Electronic Arts (EA). 

The Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering at Indiana University Bloomington (IU Bloomington) is the first school of its kind in the U.S. The school also houses a STEM-designated Human-Computer Interaction (HCI/d) MS that was the first graduate program of its kind to emphasize design as an equal partner to HCI. This intensive, two-year program features required and elective courses such as Experience Design; Visual Design for HCI; Human-Robot Interaction; Advanced Prototyping; and Interaction Design Methods. The program culminates with a capstone project that focuses on user research for design; service/strategic design; interaction design; or design scholarship. Graduates have been hired at places such as Google, Dow, Amazon, Lilly, Microsoft, Apple, Meta, and Harman.

The Atlas Institute at University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) houses a Creative Design and Technology (CTD) MS program with a Creative Industries track. Program highlights include hands-on project-based learning, technology-focused electives, industry collaboration, and workshops covering topics such as UI/UX, motion graphics, and programming in Python and R. Through electives, students may focus in an area such as UI/UX, human-computer interaction (HCI), interactive product design and development or game design. Graduates go on to establish careers at places such as Lockheed Martin, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, NVIDIA, Cisco, DISH, Activision Blizzard, The North Face, and Expedia.

The Master of Science in Design + Innovation (MD+I) at University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) is cross-disciplinary program provided in partnership with five UW colleges and schools. Program features include specialized learning tracks in areas such as UI/UX Design, Product Design, or Design Strategy; the option to mix and match courses from each track to create a custom MD+I experience; and participation in team-based, real-world projects with industry partners. The MD+I program is also one of the few programs of its kind that is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Graduates have been hired at places such as Epic, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, GE, and Intuit.