Top 25 Graphic Design Schools and Colleges on the East Coast - 2024 Rankings

The Graphic Design program at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) provides collaborative and individual spaces that allow students to create everything from traditional books to interactive texts, while learning about grids, systems, typography, and more. The school’s dedicated studios also provide access to screen printing, bookbinding, and papermaking facilities, as well as printing and photographic resources for digital and traditional creations. 

Serving approximately 150 BFA students and dozens of MFA students, the RISD Graphic Design program is one of the school’s largest departments. The four-year BFA program is project-based, allowing students to explore areas such as UX design, film graphics, packaging, and book covers. All students will complete the First-Year Program, which consists of courses such as Critical Introduction to the History of Architecture and Design; Drawing I-II; Spatial Dynamics; and Design I-II. 

After the first year, RISD Graphic Design students will move on to courses such as History of Graphic Design; Typography I-III; Color + Surface; and Studio I-IV. Throughout the program, students will also have access to electives and workshops that allow students to work in various areas of graphic design. Other benefits include visiting artists, critics, and designers from around the world, and the opportunity to pursue a professional internship in summer or during the semester in the junior and senior years of the program. 

The Graphic Design BFA program at Rhode Island School of Design culminates with an independent degree project to be reviewed by visiting critics and viewed by the public. 

The RISD Graphic Design MFA has a two-year track designed for students who have a BA of BFA in the field and related professional experience. The program also provides a three-year track for individuals with a fine arts, sciences, or liberal arts degree. Both tracks allow students to customize the curriculum through cross-disciplinary electives. 

The two-year track has two sequences including Graduate Studio and Graduate Seminar. In the Graduate Studio sequence, students will explore the design process. During the Graduate Seminar sequence, students will explore design history and current critical issues. In this sequence students will also begin the process of developing their graduate thesis projects. 

In the three-year track, students will begin the program with skills development in areas such as color, typography, image, theory, and design application. After the first year, three-year track students will begin working their way through the same curriculum as two-year students. 

All RISD Graphic Design MFA students have individual workspaces in a large design studio in RISD's Center for Integrative Technologies (CIT), which also houses the graduate student gallery and several advanced degree programs. MFA students will have opportunities to interact with other graduate students in Digital + Media, Interior Architecture, Teaching + Learning in Art + Design, and Textiles, 

Graduates of the Graphic Design programs at Rhode Island School of Design graduates enjoy a high employment rate. Around 96% of RISD alumni are employed one year after graduation, with 70% employed in positions directly related to their major. RISD Graphic Design alumni go on to become Senior Graphic Designers, Product Designers, Textile Designers, Packaging Designers, Art Directors, UX Designers, Brand Identity Designers, Industrial Designers, and Creative Designers. 

Founded in 1877 as both a school and a museum, Rhode Island School of Design is one of the first independent colleges of art and design in the U.S. This private, nonprofit college serves approximately 2,540 students enrolled in 43 full-time bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. 

RISD is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). The Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and MA in Teaching programs have special accreditation by the National Architecture Accrediting Board, Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board, and the RI Department of Education, respectively.

Yale University (Yale) is home to the School of Art (SoA). Within the school is an Art major for students enrolled in Yale College, and MFA degrees in Graphic Design, Photography, Painting and Printmaking, and Sculpture. Across programs, students have the option to enroll in elective courses in other professional schools across the university. 

Other Yale SoA features include visiting professionals that take part in lectures and critiques; free evening events hosted by faculty members and visiting artists; and two galleries—Green Hall and 32 Edgewood Gallery. Both galleries are open year-round with frequent exhibitions by students, faculty, and special guests. 

The Graphic Design MFA program at Yale University accepts just 12 students each year and up to six students into the preliminary-year program. This option is ideal for students with experience in an area outside of design. Consisting of 60 credit hours, the MFA consists of workshops, lectures, exhibitions, and presentations. Students also benefit from immersive studio work; individual sessions with editing and writing tutors; group thesis meetings; and access to more than 2,000 courses each year. 

Examples of required courses for the program include Interactive Design and the Internet: Software for People; Critical and Professional Practice; Advanced Graphic Design: Ad Hoc Series and Systems; First-Year Graduate Studio: Graphic Design; Second-Year Graduate Studio: Graphic Design; Writing as Visual Practice; and Degree Presentation in Graphic Design. 

All MFA students benefit from designated workspaces in the design studio loft; access to motion capture and VR tools at the Center for Collaborative Arts and Media; unlimited access to equipment such as the RISO Digital Duplicator, Vandercook presses, bookbinding materials, and wide format printers; opportunities to attend conferences and film festivals; and access to Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library; and 

The Yale SoA Graphic Design MFA culminates with the completion of a thesis and a professional portfolio. The program takes two years to complete, full-time. Graduates are prepared to pursue design roles at advertising agencies, print and online publishing companies, public relations firms, computer systems design companies, design firms, web design studios, manufacturing companies, and marketing firms. 

Established in 1701, Yale University is one of the oldest institutes of higher learning in the U.S. A member of the Ivy League, the school houses approximately 15,080 students served by more than 10,500 staff members. Eighty majors are provided across more than 100 departments and schools including Yale College, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and Yale Professional Schools—including the School Art (SoA). 

Established in 1869, Yale SoA was the nation’s first art school connected with an institution of higher learning. The school serves more than 100 students enrolled in five programs. As part of Yale University, the School of Art is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Established in 2014, the School of Design (SoD) at Pratt Institute (Pratt) houses the Communications Design BFA and MFA programs; the Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) in Graphic Design program; the Graphic Design/Illustration AAS; and a STEM-designated Packaging, Identities and Systems Design MS. 

All SoD programs provide access to the Design studio—a creative space and community for collaboration and design exploration; access to hands-on, immersive maker spaces and production labs; internship opportunities at a field related professional site; and participation in more than 20 study abroad experiences such as faculty led summer excursions, fall and spring break travel, and custom semester programs. Tokyo, Florence, Copenhagen, London, Berlin, Glasgow, and Milan are just a few past destinations. 

The Communications Design BFA at Pratt Institute has an emphasis in Graphic Design. Consisting of 126 credit hours, this interdisciplinary program features upper-level studio courses in areas such as branding, media and platforms, inclusivity, visual systems, interactivity, experience design, motion, and sustainability. All students will have opportunities to explore experimentation, creative coding, independent publishing, user experience, and design writing through electives. 

Course examples for the program include Visualization/Representation; Light Color Design Studio; Process and Production; Typography and Information Design; Branding and Messaging; History of Graphic Design and Illustration; Graphic Design Intensive; 1-3; and Digital Prototyping. The Communication Design BFA at Pratt Institute culminates with the Professional Practice course and Graphic Design Senior Thesis Project. 

The Graphic Design AOS and Graphic Design/Illustration AAS programs allow students to begin creating from day one as each option eliminates general education courses. Designed for high school graduates and adults with or without a degree, the AOS is an intensive, career-track program that features internship opportunities; courses led by industry professionals; and internships across industries at places such as Marvel Studios and The Painting Center. 

Course examples for this 66 credit hour program include Graphic Design I-II; UI/UX Interactive Media I-II; Digital Design; Typography I-III; and Advertising Design I-II. In just two years, AOS students will graduate with a professional portfolio of their best work. Program alumni are prepared to pursue immediate employment in areas such as publishing, interactive media, advertising, package design, marketing, web design, illustration, brand design, and UI/UX design. 

The AAS in Graphic Design/Illustration at Pratt Institute is a 64 credit hour program that prepares students for transfer into the Communications Design BFA, the Fine Arts Department at Pratt Institute, or any other related school or program at Pratt. The AAS combines advanced art and design coursework with liberal studies. Course examples include Drawing I-II; UI/UX Interactive Media; Pre-Press and Print Production; Illustration I-II; Digital Media; Communication Design I-II; and Themes in Art and Culture I-II.

The Communications Design MFA at Pratt Institute consists of 60 credit hours completed over two years. Taught by renowned professionals in the field, courses for the program include (but are not limited to) Graduate Studio: Visual Language A and B; Design Writing; Graduate Studio: Technology A and B; Origins of Contemporary Communication Design; Graduate Studio: Transformation Design A and B; and Cross-Disciplinary Studio. 

Students in this graduate program will attend seminars, and complete a thesis project and exhibition across five courses. Graduates are prepared for academic careers, and leadership positions in areas such as print and digital media, data visualization, user experience design, identity systems and branding, environmental design, typography, information design, social media, design strategy, and interaction design. 

First offered in 1966, the Packaging, Identities and Systems Design MS program at Pratt Institute consists of 48 credit hours, completed over two years. Course examples include Design Ethics and Practice; Packaging Design I-II; Origins of Contemporary Communication Design; Packaging and the Retail Space; Design Management; Prototyping and Production; Cross-Platform Design; and Sustainability and Design.  

The Packaging, Identities and Systems Design MS program culminates with a Capstone Project that results in a professional body of work. 

Graduates of the creative programs at Pratt Institute have been hired at major companies, studios, and organizations such as Apple, Google, Ogilvy, HBO, Penguin Random House, DreamWorks Animation, Hasbro, IBM, Warner Music Group, Peacock, Carhartt, Inc., Dior, RGA, Gensler, Memorial Sloan Kettering, NYC Department of Transportation, Perkins Eastman, Wolff-Olins, Partners & Partners (P&P), HOK Group, and 2x4. 

Founded in 1887, Pratt Institute was one of the nation’s first colleges to welcome students without regard to color, gender, or class. With 1,200 dedicated faculty, the school serves approximately 5,140 students across campuses in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Utica, New York. Around 48 programs are provided across six schools and The Center for Interdisciplinary Studies. Pratt Institute is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is home to the College of Fine Arts (CFA), which houses the School of Design. Within the school is a four-year Bachelor of Design (BDes) program. Equivalent to the BFA, the program has with three tracks: Communications (Graphic Design); Products (Industrial Design); and Environments (Physical and Digital). BDes students have the option to focus in one or all three areas or pursue a focus that combines two of the three tracks. 

Other program features include access to collaborative dedicated studio spaces; the opportunity to work in multidisciplinary teams in the areas of Design for Service (Sv) and/or Design for Social Innovation (Si); participation in Confluence—a career event that attracts more than 70 major companies; and study abroad opportunities in places such as Paris, London, Korea, the Netherlands, Milan, Hong Kong, and New Zealand. 

Graduates of the CMU BDes program have worked on a number of major projects including the Starbucks logo; the Pinterest interface design; typefaces for The Guardian; and the title sequence of the Spiderman movie. 

The School of Design at Carnegie Mellon University has several other options for undergraduate students seeking a degree or program that combines liberal arts and design with interdisciplinary studies across pathways. The most notable option is the interdisciplinary BXA. The curriculum for this program combines components of the CMU Bachelor of Humanities and Arts (BHA), Bachelor of Science and Arts (BSA), and the Bachelor of Computer Science and Arts (BCSA). 

BXA students may add a Design concentration, which consists of 98 units of required courses and 10 units of design electives. Course examples include Studio I: Form and Context; Collaborative Visualizing; Design Lab; Design Studies: Systems; and Prototyping Lab. BXA graduates go on to work in areas such as user research, strategic planning, and information systems analysis. 

Another option is the Design minor. Consisting of 54 units (including 27 units of design electives), this program is open to students who would like to focus in design within another major. Course examples for the program include Design for Interactions for Products; Human Experience in Design; and Design for Interactions for Communications. 

Finally, Carnegie Mellon University provides an Integrative Design, Arts, and Technology (IDeATe) program that allows students to add a concentration in an area such as Media Design, Design for Learning, Sonic Arts, Immersive Technologies in Arts and Culture, or Innovation and Entrepreneurship. 

Graduate programs for designers include a one-year Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Design, a two-year MDes in Design, and a Transition Design PhD. The CMU Design graduate programs are interdisciplinary with hands-on exposure to design, thinking, and skill processes. 

Across programs, graduate students will take seminar and studio courses such as Communication Design Studio: Theory and Practice; Framing Proposals for Change; Experiential Futures; Design Writing Workshop; Studio + Lab: Designing for Interactions; Seminar: Advanced Interaction and Service Design Concepts; Design Research Methods; Seminar: Interaction and Service Design Concepts; Studio: Research Based Design for Interactions; and Transition Design. 

The culminating experience for the MDes program is the thesis completed across four courses. MPS students may complete a colloquium for their culminating experience. During years two and three, PhD students will complete Research I, II, III, and IV. During the final year of the program, across two courses, PhD students will assemble a 60,000- to 80,000-word dissertation or a body of written and practical work consisting of 40,000 to 60,000 words. 

Graduates of the Design programs at Carnegie Mellon University are prepared to pursue leadership roles across industries. Program alumni have been hired at major companies, firms, and organizations such as Microsoft, Google, Apple, Mayo Clinic, IDEO, Whirlpool, R/GA, the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Volkswagen/Audi, Skype, Motorola, Pinterest, Meta, and global creative agency Isobar. 

Founded in 1900 by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, Carnegie Mellon University began as Carnegie Technical Schools. Today, the school serves more than 14,500 students from 100+ countries with access to over 200 programs across seven colleges and schools. This private, global research university also has more than a dozen degree-granting locations, along with 20+ research partnerships in Silicon Valley, Australia, Africa, and Qatar. Carnegie Mellon University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is home to the School of the Arts (VCUarts). Within the school is the Department of Graphic Design, which provides a BFA in Graphic Design and an MFA in Design/Visual Communications. Students in both programs have access to labs and design studios such as the Creative Print Bureau (CPB) and middle Of broad (mOb). CPB is a student and staff operated lab that provides print production services and learning opportunities through workshops, demos, and self-service machines. Students may participate in print production projects for various local businesses. 

The experimental design lab mOb brings together the departments of graphic, fashion, and interior design. Designers from all departments work with faculty mentors on projects for companies across the state. Students may also participate in community and government projects. Past projects have included a reimagined Monument Avenue in Richmond; signage for the James River Park System; and the development of bridge concepts for Interstate 95. 

Consisting of 122 credit hours, the Graphic Design BFA emphasizes collaboration. Students will begin the BFA with the Art Foundation Program (AFP), which consists of courses and studios such as Survey of Art I-II; Time Studio; Surface Research; Drawing Studio; Space Research; and Project Studio.   

Upon completion of the AFP, students will move on to courses such as Core Studio I-IV; Synthesis; Multi Studio I-II; Design Practices; Precedents Inquiry; Dialogues; and Critical Inquiry. Electives allow students to explore everything form book design to management. Elective examples include Book Arts; Letterpress; Typographic Systems; Web Design; Exhibition and Environments Graphic Design; Experimental Letterpress; Typeface Design; Studio Management; and Design Activism. 

The Graphic Design BFA culminates with a final project and professional portfolio. Graduates of the program are prepared to pursue design roles across industries. Program alumni are Graphic Designers, Exhibition Designers, Creative Directors, Interaction Designers, User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX) Designers, Film Production Designers, Environmental Graphic Designers, and Broadcast Designers. 

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the 60 credit hour Design/Visual Communications MFA at Virginia Commonwealth University is a design and research degree that culminates in a final research project, work of art, thesis or dissertation. MFA students will complete several workshops and seminars; research/individual study; and an Internship or Teaching Practicum. Optional study abroad programs for a semester, summer or several weeks are also available.

Graduates of the VCUarts Design/Visual Communications MFA program are prepared to pursue leadership roles in all areas of design. Graduates may also pursue positions in art and design education and research. Program alumni are prepared to pursue titles such as Senior Graphic Designer, Creative Director, Critical Analyst (Publishing), Public Art Director, Program Manager (Non-Profit), Design Strategist, Art Educator, Media Production Manager, Identity and Branding Design Manager, and Information Architect. 

Founded in 1838, Virginia Commonwealth University is a top 100 research university that serves approximately 28,595 students. The largest employer in Richmond, Virginia, VCU provides more than 200 academic programs across 15+ colleges, schools, and centers. Virginia Commonwealth University accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 

Founded in 1928, the School of the Arts at VCU is a four-year, non-profit art and design school accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and the National Association for Schools of Theatre (NAST). The school serves around 3,230 students enrolled in 18 bachelor’s degree programs and five master’s degree programs. In 1998, VCUarts founded its Doha, Qatar campus. This location serves approximately 380 students enrolled in five bachelor’s degree programs and one master’s degree program.

The College of Art and Design at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) houses the School of Design. Within the school are two paths to study graphic design—the Graphic Design BFA and the Visual Communication Design (VCD) MFA. 

Students in the Graphic Design BFA program have opportunities to gain industry experience through cooperative education and internships with top companies in New York and across the country. Coursework for this 120 credit hour program provides additional opportunities to gain real-world experience through collaborative class projects with RIT partners such as Kraft, Unilever, Starbucks, Roomba, and Wegmans. 

Each year, Graphic Design at RIT hosts multiple workshops that encourage collaboration and community engagement. Examples include PUSH and EUREKA! PUSH is a multi-day event led by industry designers. EUREKA allows students to work in multilevel, interdisciplinary teams to complete a project. Students will also work with stakeholders and community organizations on projects that will be presented to a panel of experts. The winning project will move forward to implementation. 

Besides participating in a variety of projects and workshops, Graphic Design BFA students will study everything from branding and identity systems to user interface/user experience (UI/UX) design. Senior electives allow students to choose advanced coursework a specific area of interest. Elective examples include Interactive Design III; Advertising Design; Editorial Design; Typography III; and Collaborative Design. 

All BFA students will take four Graphic Design Studio courses and others such as Motion Design I-II; Experiential Graphic Design; 2D Design; History of Graphic Design; 3D Design; Drawing I-II; and Professional Practices. The RIT Graphic Design BFA culminates with a Graphic Design Capstone and final public exhibition. 

Around 94% of all RIT Graphic Design graduates are employed, pursuing graduate study, volunteering, or in the military within six months of graduating. For those who are employed, typical job titles include Graphic Designer, Visual Designer, Product Designer, Associate Art Director, Identity/Packaging Designer, Illustrator, Digital Product Designer, Motion Designer, UI/UX Designer, Promotions Marketing Coordinator, Presentation Designer, and Social Media Director. 

Program alumni have been hired at places such as Walt Disney Company, ESPN, Adobe, Vogue Italia, Apple, Fisher-Price, Sesame Street, Sports Illustrated, and the NHL. 

The Visual Communication Design MFA at Rochester Institute of Technology is a STEM-designated, cross-disciplinary program that explores graphic design, 3D digital design, interactive design, UI/UX design, and motion design. Consisting of 60 credit hours, the VCD MFA also allows students to customize a large portion of the curriculum with coursework from other programs and departments. 

Course examples for the program include Real Time Design; Digital Media Integration; Design Practice I-II; Branding and Identity Design; Information Design; Programming for Designers; Character Design and Rigging; 3D Particles and Dynamics; UX Design Strategies; 3D Modeling and Motion; and Project Design and Implementation.

Like the BFA program, the MFA provides access to cooperative education and internship opportunities, as well as workshops, state-of-the art production facilities and studio spaces, and networking through RIT’s Creative Industry Day. The program culminates with two thesis courses: Thesis Research and Planning and Thesis: Implementation and Evaluation. 

With a 100% outcome rate, graduates of the Rochester Institute of Technology VCD MFA program go on land positions such as Senior Graphic or Visual Designer, Product Designer, Creative Director, Motion Graphic Designer, User Experience Researcher, Cinematographer, User Interface (UI) Designer, Game Producer, and User Experience (UX) Designer. 

Rochester Institute of Technology was founded in 1829 as the Rochester Athenaeum. With global campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo, this research university serves 20,570 students, making it one of the largest private universities in the U.S. RIT provides 200+ academic programs across nine colleges and two degree-granting institutes. Rochester Institute of Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) is located in the heart of Boston’s arts district. The school houses nearly a million square feet of studio, exhibition, living, and classroom spaces, as well as state-of-the-art production facilities and labs. All MassArt students also benefit from the school’s industry partnerships; MassArt Art Museum (MAAM); and internship opportunities with other local museums, design studios, galleries, businesses, and performance venues. 

For students seeking a career in Graphic Design, MassArt has a Communication Design BFA and a fully remote Communication Design certificate program consisting of three stackable certificates (levels) that can be completed in just over two years. Course examples include Graphic Design I-III; User Experience (UX) Design; Typography; Print Production Workshop; and Advanced Interactive Projects. 

In Level 3 of the certificate program, students will complete a final portfolio. Graduates are prepared to pursue immediate employment at advertising agencies, design studios, interactive agencies, web design companies, and non-profits as Graphic Designers, UI/UX Designers, Brand Strategists, Product Designers, and Visual Designers, among others. Graduates may also apply to the MassArt Communication Design BFA program. 

The BFA explores advertising, publication design, user experience design, branding and package design, interactive communication, web and app design, and information design. Course examples for the program include Graphic Design I-IV; Advanced Web Projects; Typography I-III; Advertising and Art Direction; Print Production Workshop; Experimental Book Arts; Identity Systems; Tools for Web and App Development; Lettering in Design; Information Architecture; Programming for Designers; Poster Design; and Type Design. 

MassArt Communication Design students will also complete several design studio courses; Professional Practice; Independent Study; and Advanced Projects I-II. Other program features include hands-on studio courses led by active industry; readings and presentations; Letterpress Studio; and collaborative projects. 

The Communications Design BFA program at Massachusetts College of Art and Design culminates with the Senior Design Portfolio and Senior Degree Project courses. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles in areas such as advertising, book publishing, public relations, marketing, print media, entertainment, web development, multimedia, animation, and social media. 

Program alumni have also gone on to launch their own creative studios and design firms, while others have started their own freelance businesses or pursued graduate study. 

Massachusetts College of Art and Design is the nation’s first and only public college of art and design. Founded in 1873, the school serves approximately 1,940 students enrolled more than 40 degree, minor, and certificate programs. Approximately 155 continuing education students are enrolled in over 100 classes and workshops in all areas of art and design. Massachusetts College of Art and Design is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). MassArt is also an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Syracuse University (SU) is home to the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) and S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Both provide programs for graphic designers. Within the College of VPA is the School of Design, which houses the Communications Design BFA program. The Newhouse School houses the Visual Communications Department, home to the Visual Communications BS (Vis BS) with a Design track. 

The Communications Design BFA program focuses on hands-on projects that explore areas such as advertising, branding, exhibition design, and graphic design; individual and group collaborations; internships with local and national companies; and study abroad at the SU Center in London, UK or Florence, Italy. 

Course examples for this 120 credit hour program include Communication Design I-II; Digital Tools for Designers I-II; Design Skills & Processes; Analog Design Tools; Design Skills and Processes; History of Modern Design 1850-Present; Design, Cultural Traditions and the Environment; Problem Solving Strategies; and Design Project Management. 

During the final year of the VPA Communications Design program at Syracuse University, students will complete the Portfolio & Practice course. Final portfolios will be displayed at SU’s annual two-day Senior Portfolio Show in New York City. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers as Designers, Art Directors, and Creative Directors at major companies and studios. 

Program alumni have been hired at places such as The New York Times, Apple, Citi, GQ, Major League Baseball, Wired, Pentagram, Bloomberg, Landor & Associates, Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv, Havas Health, CBX, and McCann. 

The Visual Communications BS program in SU’s New House School begins with foundational courses in Multimedia Storytelling; Introduction to Graphic Design; and Introduction to Photography for Multimedia. These courses allow students to work in collaborative teams to produce stories using digital media and the internet; develop problem-solving skills in the layout, typography, and production of digital and print communications; and develop technical skills in production and editing of communications photography and multimedia storytelling. 

Upon completion of the Foundation Year, students will move on Vis and Design track requirements. The track includes the following courses: Motion Design; User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design; Immersive Design; Typographic Design; Type and Image Design; and the Design Capstone (with portfolio). 

Other Vis BS benefits include internship opportunities; study abroad experiences; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; and participation in the design workshop known as Pixels & Print. 

Launched 10 years ago by the Visual Communications Department at the Newhouse School, this 48-hour experience provides the opportunity to create designs for social good. In teams coached by industry professionals, students will design a website; promotional and social motion graphics; a logo and brand system; and a printed book.

The Visual Communications BS at Syracuse University prepares students for creative careers in areas such as advertising, UI/UX, branding, publishing, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), packaging design, exhibit design, and web design. Sample job titles include Graphic Designer, Art Director, UX Designer, UX Director, Motion Graphics Designer, 3D and Spatial Designer, Product Designer, Film Editor, Photo Editor, Cinematographer, Creative Director, and Commercial Photographer.  

Program alumni have landed positions at places such as Amazon, Google, The Washington Post, New York Daily News, and Grova Creative. Some program alumni have gone on to launch their own design studios and freelance businesses. 

Founded in 1870, Syracuse University is an R1 research university that serves approximately 22,700 students from all 50 states and 120 countries. More than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs are provided across 13 colleges and schools. In addition to campuses in Syracuse, Manhattan, Washington DC, and Los Angeles, Syracuse University operates overseas centers in France, Italy, London, Poland, Chile, and Spain. Syracuse University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design at Drexel University (Drexel) houses the Graphic Design BS program and a Graphic Design minor. Consisting of 24 credit hours, the Graphic Design minor requires courses such as Visual Communication; Graphic Design: 20th Century and Beyond; Design for Media; Computer Imaging; and Typography. Available to all students, the minor takes two-plus years to complete. 

The Graphic Design BS at Drexel University is a collaborative, project-based program the helps students develop advanced skills in data visualization; book, magazine, and package design; brand identity; website design including CSS, HTML, and JavaScript; user experience (UX); exhibition and experiential design; typography; Adobe, Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign; motion graphics; drawing and painting; design research; exhibition design; wayfinding systems; and identity graphics.   

Electives and minor options for this 183 credit hour program allow students to pursue advanced study in other areas such as experimental publication design; technology information management; business; environmental graphic design; computing technology; marketing; product design; web design; human-computer interaction (HCI); writing; virtual reality and immersive media; web design; project management; nonprofit communication; motion graphic design; and photography. 

Course examples for the Drexel Graphic Design BS program include Publication Design; Book Design; Motion Graphics; Storyboarding and Development for Time-Based Media; Computer Imaging I: Introduction to Adobe Illustrator; Corporate Identity; Information Graphics: Mapping; Wayfinding; Data Visualization; Computer Imaging II: Intro to Adobe Photoshop; Physics: Light and Sound; Production -  Introducing the Tools and Methods of Production Management for Print and Screen Media; and Web Graphics/Web Design. 

All degree-seeking students will participate in Drexel University’s cooperative (co-op) education program. Established in 1919, this is the oldest, largest, and most well-known co-op program in the U.S. A university requirement, the program allows students to gain valuable hands-on experience before graduation. Past co-op experiences have taken students to places such as Spain, London, Ghana, Hong Kong, and Greece. 

Co-op students have also worked with major corporations such as Amazon, Lockheed Martin, Google, Comcast, and Exelon Corporation. Graduates of the Drexel University Graphic Design BS program are often hired for full-time positions with a co-op employer. 

Other BS program features include access to state-of-the-art studios and labs such as the Hybrid Making Lab, the Computer Lab, and wood and metal shops; frequent field trips including studio tours and Design Philadelphia events; and participation in the annual field excursion to New York City. Recent trips have included the Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial; Soviet avant-garde design at the Jewish Museum; and the Bard Center for Graduate Studies tour and curator talk on Jan Tschichold. 

The Graphic Design BS program at Drexel University culminates with the Senior Showcase, attended by industry professionals, family, friends, and the Drexel Community. This event gives students the opportunity to display creative work through their final capstone projects.  

Graduates of the Graphic Design BS program at Drexel University are prepared to pursue positions in areas such as advertising, package design, marketing, exhibition design, brand management, poster design, illustration, publication design, content development, UX/UI design, and web design. 

Program alumni have been hired at places such as Saatchi & Saatchi, Marvel Entertainment, Meta, ESPN, Penguin Random House, Urban Outfitters, Sesame Workshop, Time Inc., ESPN, Comcast, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Under Armour, Siemens, Brooks Brothers, Philadelphia Magazine, QVC, Bloomberg, The Franklin Institute, Digitas, and SAP. 

Drexel University was established in 1891 as Drexel Institute of Art, Science, & Industry. The school serves approximately 21,700 students enrolled in more than 200 degree programs across 15 colleges and schools. Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The school’s Digital Media and Animation & Visual Effects (VFX) programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Arts & Design (NASAD).

Liberty University (Liberty U) is home to the School of Communication and the Arts, which has several paths to study Graphic Design. At the undergraduate level, the school provides a Graphic Design BFA; Digital Design: Graphic Design BS; and a Studio and Digital Arts: Graphic Design BS. At the graduate level, students can earn an MFA in Graphic Design. 

A major component of all programs is the opportunity to complete a 90-hour practicum and a 180-hour internship with a major company, studio or organization. Students have interned at places such as ESPN, Disney, Bloomingdale’s, and Ralph Lauren. 

Other program features include study abroad experiences in London or Paris; access to drawing and painting labs, 2D/3D design labs, Mac labs, photography labs, and the 3D Innovation Lab; and extensive portfolio development workshops and courses. 

The Liberty U Graphic Design BFA requires 120 credit hours of study. Course examples include Graphic Design; Art, Culture and technology; Interactive Design I-II; Vector Illustration; Publication Design; Advanced Typography; Drawing I-II; Interactive Publication; History of Graphic Design; and Digital Imaging. Students will also complete a professional practices course, final project, and portfolio.

This campus-based program can be completed in four years. 

The Digital Design: Graphic Design BS at Liberty U consists of 120 credit hours. Course examples include Art as Communication; Digital Photography; Introduction to 2D Design; Graphic Design I-II; Art Appreciation; History of Art I-II; Advanced Typography; Vector Illustration; and Professional Practices. 

The Digital Design: Graphic Design BS at Liberty U can be completed 100% online in 3.5 years. Students will graduate with a professional portfolio of their best work 

The Studio & Digital Arts: Graphic Design BS is a residential program that requires 120 credit hours of study. Course examples include Studio & Illustration Foundations; Graphic Design I-II; Introduction to 3D Graphics; Interactive Design I; Professional Practices; Introduction to Typography; and History of Art I-II. The program culminates with a final project and professional portfolio. 

The Graphic Design MFA at Liberty University is a 60 credit hour program that consists of 8-week courses delivered 100% online. Students in this interdisciplinary program will develop advanced skills in areas such as publication design, 3D art, typography, vector illustration, web design, digital photography, and game design. 

Course examples include Interactive Design; Publication Design; History of Graphic Design; Sequential Art; Character Design; Visualization Illustration; Interactive Game Design; Advanced Typography; Digital Imaging; Web and New Media; Advanced Graphic Design; and Advanced Digital Photography. 

The Graphic Design MFA culminates with two courses: Art and Design Research Methodologies, and Thesis/Portfolio Project. 

Graduates of the Graphic Design programs at Liberty U Graphic are prepared to pursue positions in fields such as advertising, branding, marketing, user interface (UI), packaging design, illustration, publishing, multimedia art, museums, game design, entertainment, and web design. MFA graduates are prepared to pursue leadership, research, and teaching positions in these and any other fields.

Program alumni can be found at places such as BBDO, Conde Nast, Motion Picture Association of America, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, ESPN, Discovery Communications, Hallmark, M&C Saatchi Performance, Capital One, Alloy Research and Brand Strategy, SAP, Prototype Advertising, and ACCO Brands. 

Founded in 1971, Liberty University opened with just over 150 students. Today, Liberty U serves more than 135,000 students enrolled in over 700 campus-based and online programs. Liberty students come from all 50 states and just about every country around the globe. Programs at Liberty U are housed across 16 colleges and schools. Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

University of Maryland (UMD) is home to the College of Arts and Humanities, which houses the Department of Art. Within the department are five areas of concentration including Graphic Design, Digital Media, Printmaking, Sculpture, Drawing, and Painting. 

Across all areas, students benefit from the Visiting Artist Lecture Series, with recent artists such as Chakaia Booker, Laurie Anderson and Oliver Herring; study abroad experiences in places such as Hong Kong, Spain, Jordan, Sweden, and the UK; the opportunity to work in the student-run Herman Maril Gallery; and internships with local and national companies. 

UMD Department of Art students have interned (or worked on projects for) the Discovery Channel, USA Today, the American Red Cross, AOL, the American Film Institute, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, The Washington Times, the Humane Society of the United States, Girl Scouts of the USA, the Smithsonian Institution, the Kennedy Center, and just about every major Maryland television network. 

Course examples for the Graphic Design concentration include Intermediate Graphic Design Principles; Advanced Interactive Design; Directed Studies in Graphic Design; Three-Dimensional Graphic Design; Advanced Graphic Design Principles: Design In Society; Motion Design; Graphic Design Processes; Design Literacy; Decoding Our Visual Culture; and Advanced Graphic Design Studio. The program culminates with a final project and portfolio of the student's best work. 

Graduates of the Art Studio: Graphic Design program at University of Maryland are prepared to pursue careers in advertising, publishing (books, magazines, newspapers, comics), marketing, public relations, television and film, corporate brand development, packaging, web design, museums and art galleries, social media management, education, research, and consulting.   

UMD Department of Art alumni have been hired at places such as HBO, Marriott International, Google, National Geographic, The Washington Post, AARP, Discovery, Shakespeare Theater Company, Inc. Magazine, SiriusXM, VICE Media, General Assembly, Voice of America, and University of Maryland. 

Founded in 1856, University of Maryland in College Park is the flagship campus of the University System of Maryland. This public research university enrolls approximately 40,815 students served by nearly 15,000 faculty and staff. UMD provides over 250 academic programs across 12 colleges. University of Maryland is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has a Graphic Design and Media Arts program and a Graphic Design minor that can be completed 100% online or on campus. Consisting of 15 credit hours, the minor provides a foundation in graphic design, design thinking, and the creative processes. Students will also develop technical and conceptual skills as they apply to various media. Course examples include Fundamentals of Design; Design Thinking for Graphic Designers; and Digital Design Tools. 

Leading to a BA, Graphic Design and Media Arts is a career focused program with optional concentrations in User Experience (UX) Design and Web Design. In addition to a formal concentration, students may select a minor to enhance the degree. Examples include Communication; Art History; Digital Media and Video Production; Retailing; Professional Writing; Research; Digital Studies; and Creative Writing. 

Consisting of 120 credit hours, the SNHU Graphic Design and Media Arts BA requires 36 credit hours in the major, and 12 credit hours of electives, allowing students to create additional areas of focus. All courses for the program are taught by industry professionals. Course examples include Design Thinking for Graphic Designers; Typography; Graphic Design Studio I-IV; Personal Branding and Self Promotion; Multi-Channel Advertising Design; Layout and Publication Design; Advanced Digital Graphic Design for Web; User Interface and Experience; Designing a Brand Identity; Digital Design Tools; and Professional Practices in Graphic Design. 

Other program features include networking opportunities through program affiliations, projects, and professional conferences; internships at news networks, festivals, and non-profits; access to more than 50 student clubs; and study abroad experiences for up to 12 days, a semester, or a full year in places such as London, Greece, Spain, Australia, Italy, Costa Rica, Japan, or Canada. SNHU is a member of the National Student Exchange (NSE), which provides access to more than 150 university partners around the world. To date, students have studied in 22 countries.  

In the final year of the Graphic Design and Media Arts program at Southern New Hampshire University, students will complete Graphic Design Culmination Experience I and II, which provides the opportunity to design and implement a final project. Students will also present and defend their project alongside a portfolio of their best work. 

Graduates of the SNHU Graphic Design and Media Arts BA program are prepared to pursue design roles across industries. Examples include digital communications, advertising, news media, brand development, healthcare, publishing, design for museums, exhibitions, and art installations, information technology, entertainment, fashion design, game design, social media, public relations. 

Founded in 1932 as New Hampshire Accounting and Secretarial School, Southern New Hampshire University opened in a two-room storefront with less than 50 students enrolled in accounting, bookkeeping, and secretarial courses. Today, SNHU operates across a 300-acre campus that serves more than 3,000 residential students, and over 170,000 online students, making it one of the country’s fastest growing universities. 

Students at Southern New Hampshire University have access to more than 200 career-focused programs leading to a certificate, associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree. Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) at Rutgers University-Camden (Rutgers-Camden) is the institutions largest academic unit. Housing three schools and 16 departments, the FAS provides more than 30 undergraduate majors and 15+ graduate programs. All FAS students benefit from small classes, one-on-one interactions, and professors who are active in the arts, business, science, technology, languages, and more.  

Opportunities within the FAS include hands-on experience through experiential learning, professional internships, and study abroad experiences in places such as Indian and Argentina. 

Within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences is the Visual, Media, and Performing Arts (VMPA) Department, home to the Visual Arts program and the Graphic Design (GD) minor. Visual Arts degrees the BA and BFA with a concentration in Graphic Design. 

Consisting of 18 credit hours, the Graphic Design minor is an interdisciplinary program that requires the following courses: Drawing I; Graphic Design I-II; Typography; Visual Fundamentals; and Digital Photography. The minor can be added to most creative majors and others outside of the VMPA Department. 

Both the Visual Art BA and BFA programs require 27-30 credit hours in the core. Course examples include Graphic Design I; Visual Fundamentals; Computer Animation; Digital Photography; and Drawing I. The Graphic Design BA program requires 21 credits in the concentration and the BFA requires 33. Course examples include Graphic Design Studio I-III; Computer Multimedia; Introduction to Video and Film; Typography I; Special Topics in Graphic Design; and Artist in Society. For both programs, the Electronic Arts Internship is recommended, but not required. 

BFA students will complete the Professional Practices in Graphic Design course. All Graphic Design students will complete the Senior Capstone in Graphic Design and a professional portfolio. Capstone projects have won awards (or been recognized) by organizations such as the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), CMYK Creative Agency, the Graphis Awards, University & College Designers Association (UCDA), Applied Art Magazine, and Graphic Design USA (GDUSA). 

As part of Rutgers Camden, graduates of the Visual Art: GD programs enjoy a 86% success rate. Program alumni goon toe work in areas such as advertising, publishing, marketing, film and television, public relations, web design, interactive design, animation, packaging design, corporate identity design, print design, social media, healthcare, retail, consulting, research, and education. 

Rutgers University-Camden is part of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (Rutgers). Founded in 1766, Rutgers is the 8th oldest university in the U.S. and New Jersey’s land-grant university. The school has locations in all 21 New Jersey counties. 

Rutgers-Camden was founded in 1926 as South Jersey Law School and the College of South Jersey, which joined Rutgers in 1926. Serving approximately 6,075 students today, Rutgers University-Camden provides nearly 70 degree programs across four colleges and schools. The school is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).