| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island School of Design | Rhode Island |
| 2 | ArtCenter College of Design | California |
| 3 | California Institute of the Arts | California |
| 4 | School of Visual Arts | New York |
| 5 | The New School | New York |
| 6 | Savannah College of Art and Design | Georgia |
| 7 | Pratt Institute | New York |
| 8 | University of Texas at Austin | Texas |
| 9 | Maryland Institute College of Art | Maryland |
| 10 | School of the Art Institute of Chicago | Illinois |
| 11 | University of Florida | Florida |
| 12 | California College of the Arts | California |
| 13 | The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art | New York |
| 14 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Illinois |
| 15 | Ringling College of Art and Design | Florida |
| 16 | Virginia Commonwealth University | Virginia |
| 17 | Washington University in St. Louis | Missouri |
| 18 | University of North Texas | Texas |
| 19 | Brigham Young University | Utah |
| 20 | Boston University | Massachusetts |
| 21 | Otis College of Art and Design | California |
| 22 | University of Southern California | California |
| 23 | Minneapolis College of Art and Design | Minnesota |
| 24 | Rochester Institute of Technology | New York |
| 25 | Portland State University | Oregon |
Below are the Top 25 Graphic Design schools and colleges in the US offering Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree programs for 2025. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
Serving more than 150 students, Graphic Design is the largest department at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). For students seeking an undergraduate degree, the department has a four-year BFA. This project-based program highlights collaborative spaces; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; and professional internship opportunities. Graduates of the Graphic Design Department at RISD go on to land positions at places such as Google, Apple, The New York Times, Meta, Nike, and CVS Health.
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. Undergraduate options within the department include the Graphic Design (Gx) BFA and a Gx minor. Graduates can be found 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 BFA program with the option to add a minor in Digital Arts, Critical Studies, or other options. Other program benefits include 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, Marvel, Sony, Meta, and Netflix.
The Design Department at School of Visual Arts (SVA) serves more than 700 students, making it the school’s third largest program. All Visual Arts students benefit from opportunities to work with the student-run Visual Arts Press; participation in workshops and exhibitions; internships with major companies and studios; and four concentrations including Graphic Design, Motion Graphics, 3D Design, and Interaction Design. At the end of every academic year, the Design Department also hosts an Industry Review Day for graduating seniors. SVA Design alumni go on to land positions at places such as Amazon, Google, Apple, Epic Games, Microsoft, IBM, Warner Bros., HBO, Disney, IDEO, and R/GA.
The Communication Design BFA at The New School is housed in Parsons School of Design (Parsons). The oldest program of its kind in the U.S., the BFA is STEM-designated with access to internship opportunities in New York and other major cities; study abroad experiences in places such as Paris, London, and Florence; and a state-of-the-art Making Center. Graduates have been hired at places such as Microsoft, Adobe, Google, IDEO, Vogue, Samsung, Meta, and Oracle.
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has a Graphic Design BFA program that provides opportunities to collaborate with companies such as BMW and Disney through the university’s in-house design studio SCADpro. Students also have the option to study abroad at SCAD’s Lacoste, France campus. Program alumni go on to land roles at places such as IBM, Disney, Apple, Google, Riot Games, Ralph Lauren, Goodby Silverstein & Partners, Meta, Verizon, Airbnb, Under Armour, and Hulu.
Established in 2014, the School of Design (SoD) at Pratt Institute (Pratt) houses a Communications Design BFA with an Emphasis in Graphic Design or Illustration. Program highlights include internships; study abroad experiences in places such as London, Tokyo, and Milan; access to the Design Studio, immersive maker spaces, and production labs. Pratt SoD graduates have been hired at places such as Memorial Sloan Kettering, Microsoft, Apple, Google, DreamWorks Animation, Delta Airlines, IBM, Amazon, HBO, Adobe, Deloitte, Warner Music Group, Peacock, Hasbro, Dior, Ogilvy, Carhartt, Inc., R/GA, and Gensler.
The School of Design and Creative Technologies at University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) houses the Design Department. Within the department is a Design BFA that highlights project-based courses taught by industry professionals. Students also benefit from dedicated studio spaces; access to fabrication labs; and partnerships with places such as IBM, McKinsey & Company, and Logitech. Design alumni have been hired at places such as Walt Disney Animation Studios, The New York Times, Apple, Meta, Gensler, Deloitte, Razorfish, and H-E-B Digital.
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) has a customizable BFA program that allows students to select an area of specialization and/or a minor such as Illustration, Game Design, or Interactive Arts. Other program benefits include courses taught by industry professionals; internship opportunities; and study abroad experiences. MICA alumni go on to establish careers at places such as DreamWorks, Google, Ogilvy, Apple, The New York Times, DC Comics, Nike, Adobe, Netflix, LucasArts, NPR, and Under Armour.
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) houses the Visual Communication Design (VCD) Department, home to the Studio BFA (VCD). Students have the option to add the Graphic Design certificate with an emphasis in Print Media, provided through SAIC’s Continuing Studies Department. Other program benefits include the VCD Department’s active AIGA student chapter; the annual visiting designer lecture series Exploratory Languages; and participation in student workshops and lectures through the Chicago International Poster Biennial (CIPB). Graduates are frequently hired by companies such as Amazon, Leo Burnett, Google, Oracle, Prada, Nike, and Target.
University of Florida (UF) is home to the School of Art and Art History. Within the school is a Graphic Design BFA that highlights real-world projects with major companies. Other program benefits include access to state-of-the-art studios and labs, including the MxD lab; internships; and study abroad experiences in places such as the UK, Italy, and Spain. Graduates have gone on to launch their own studios or land positions at places such as Walt Disney Imagineering, Microsoft, Google, Miami Heat, Apple, IBM, L’Oréal, Viacom, IDEO, Meta, Fossil, Verizon, and R/GA.
California College of the Arts (CCA) houses a Communication Design (CD) BFA program that highlights advanced studios that allow students to explore areas such as AR/VR, branding, motion design, and editorial publishing. 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. CCA CD 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 Art at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (Cooper Union) is home to an Art BFA program that allows students to focus in graphic design through electives and studio courses. Examples include Graphic Design I-II; Experimental Printmaking; Advanced Typography; and Animation. All students have the opportunity to complete an internship and/or study abroad experience. Cooper Union graduates go on to land positions at places such as Amazon, The Whitney Museum of American Art (The Whitney), NVIDIA, Microsoft, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Google, Apple, Oracle, Intel, Cisco Systems, Meta, Uber, Cognizant, Gensler, AECOM, and The Noguchi Museum.
The School of Art and Design at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) houses an interdisciplinary Graphic Design BFA program that explores typography, image making, user experience (UX), and research methods. Students have access to state-of-the-art production facilities; professional internship opportunities; and the UIUC Study Abroad Program. Graduates have been hired at places such as Boeing, Apple, Nike, Google, Pfizer, Disney, Microsoft, Walmart, Lockheed Martin, Intel, Ford, Meta, Target, and IBM.
Established in 1980, the Graphic Design Program at Ringling College of Art and Design (RCAD) provides opportunities to work on real-world projects at the school’s in-house design studio Ringling College Design Center. Leading to a BFA, the program also highlights external internships with major companies and studios; visiting artists from places such as DreamWorks, and the opportunity to submit works to the ADDY Awards. Graduates go on to establish careers at places such as Microsoft, Leo Burnett, Intel, Amazon, Meta, DreamWorks, Saatchi & Saatchi X, Google, Apple, Ogilvy, Nickelodeon, and Hallmark.
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) houses the School of the Arts (VCUarts). Within the school is the Department of Graphic Design (GD), which provides a GD BFA that features workshops; print production projects; and community/government projects through the campus-based Creative Print Bureau (CPB) and middle Of broad (mOb). Graduates can be found at places such as Amazon, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (HII), and The Estée Lauder Companies, Peraton, and Urban Outfitters.
Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) houses the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts. Within the school is a BFA program with a major in Communication Design. Students will complete the first-year requirement, consisting of courses such as Design, Drawing, and 3D Design. Other program benefits include opportunities to work one on one with instructors; internships; and study abroad experiences through the Fox School’s Florence Program. Recent graduates have been hired at places such as Saatchi & Saatchi, Microsoft, Chanel, Boeing, Amazon, IBM, Fred Segal, Google, Nickelodeon, The Guggenheim, Starbucks, Disney, Verizon, New York Magazine, Meta, Levi Strauss & Co., the American Museum of Natural History, Guess, Pentagram, Bain & Company, and 24 Seven.
The College of Visual Arts and Design (CVAD) at the University of North Texas (UNT) houses the Design Department, which provides a Communication Design BFA with Graphic Design and User-Experience Design (UX Design) tracks. Students in both tracks have the option to add a minor such as Printmaking; New Media Art; Photography; or Art History. The program culminates with a portfolio of the student’s best work. UNT design graduates can be found at places such as Microsoft, Nike, IBM, Disney, Apple, IDEO, Goldman Sachs, BBDO, Starbucks, Intuit, BMW, PepsiCo, Nieman Marcus, Fossil, and Capital One.
The Design Department at Brigham Young University (BYU) houses a limited enrollment Graphic Design BFA program. All students will complete an internship and capstone project to graduate. BYU design alumni have been hired at places such as Apple, IBM, Google, Microsoft, HP, Adobe, Disney, PwC, Amazon, RTX, and Cisco.
Boston University’s (BU) School of Visual Arts houses a Graphic Design BFA program that is accredited by National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Students also benefit from workshops and immersive studio experiences; partnerships with area design studios and businesses; design intensives in Amsterdam; Printmaking workshops at the Franz Masareel Centrum in Kasterlee, Belgium; and the Studio Arts Program at Boston University’s Venice (Italy) Center. Graduates of the BU Graphic Design BFA program have been hired at places such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, ESPN, Amazon, Deloitte, NBCUniversal, IBM, Meta, Liberty Mutual, CVS Health, Accenture, PwC, Dropbox, and Merck.
The Graphic Design BFA program at Otis College of Art and Design (Otis) provides the opportunity to enhance the curriculum through electives and experiential learning experiences such as internships and studies abroad. Other program benefits include workshops; seminars; and courses taught by industry professionals. 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, Nike, 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 a BFA in Design and a BFA/MFA Design Progressive degree. 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.
The Graphic Design Program at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) has a Graphic Design BFA program that features hands-on training through internships and collaborative client projects. Other program benefits include study abroad experiences in places such the UK, Italy, and Japan; and participation in the local creative community, consisting of art centers, galleries, and design nonprofits. MCAD art and design alumni can be found at places such as Amazon, Netflix, Disney, The New York Times, Starbucks, 3M, Target, and General Mills.
The School of Design at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) houses a Graphic Design BFA program that provides opportunities to gain industry experience through cooperative education, internships, and collaborative class projects. RIT partners such as Starbucks, Kraft, and Unilever participate. Students also benefit from workshops; state-of-the art production facilities and studio spaces; and networking through RIT’s Creative Industry Day. RIT graduates have gone on to establish careers at places such as Boeing, Nike, Apple, Intel, Microsoft, Google, Cisco, Hasbro, Disney, Warner Bros., ESPN, Oracle, Northrop Grumman, PepsiCo., Nickelodeon, and Smithsonian Institution.
The College of the Arts at Portland State University (PSU) is the largest art school in the Pacific Northwest. Within the college is the Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design, which houses the Graphic Design BFA and minor. BFA students have the opportunity to work on projects for real clients through the Schnitzer School’s in-house studio A + D Projects. Through the Business School’s Advertising Minor for Graphic Design Majors, students can also work with real clients via the Creative Strategy and Advertising Campaigns courses and the on-campus advertising agency FIR. Graduates have gone on to land positions at places such as IBM, Wieden+Kennedy, Microsoft, Nike, Google, IDEO, Apple, R/GA, Adidas, Target, Snapchat, Columbia, Frito-Lay, and Interbrand.
