Top 25 Graphic Design Schools and Colleges on the East Coast - 2026 Rankings

Graphic Design is the largest department at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Serving more than 150 students, programs include a project-based four-year BFA program, and an MFA with customizable two-year and three-year tracks. BFA students work and learn in shared, collaborative spaces with internship opportunities in the junior and senior years. MFA students enjoy individual private workspaces, with graduate studio and seminar sequences. Across programs, graduates have secured roles at places such as The New York Times, Skydance, Google, LAIKA, Apple, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and Nike. 

The Design Department at School of Visual Arts (SVA) houses the Design BFA and Design/Design as Entrepreneur MFA programs. The BFA has AR/VR tracks, with opportunities to collaborate on projects with places such as Disney and NASA. With 24/7 access to private studios, the interdisciplinary MFA provides the opportunity to pitch an independent entrepreneurial venture, such as a product or app, at a public venture forum. Across programs, students also have opportunities to work with the student-run Visual Arts Press; participate in exhibitions, workshops, and the annual Industry Review Day; and intern with top creative studios. SVA Design graduates have landed positions at places such as Microsoft, HBO, Google, DreamWorks, Amazon, Pentagram, Disney, Marvel, Apple, IDEO, Epic Games, and YouTube. 

The New School’s Parsons School of Design houses several programs for aspiring graphic designers. Options include a Communication Design AAS; the STEM-designated BFA and Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Communication Design; and a Graphic and Digital Design certificate that takes just nine weeks to complete. Features across programs include internship opportunities at places such as Nike and HBO; a semester in London, Florence, or at Parsons Paris; and access to the state-of-the-art Making Center. Parsons graduates can be found at places such as Versace, Google, Microsoft, IDEO, Nike, Samsung, New York Times Advertising/T Brand Studio, Brooklyn Museum, Pentagram, Vogue, HBO, and Ralph Lauren. 

Carnegie Mellon University’s (CMU) School of Design provides several paths to study graphic design. Options include a BDes with a Communication Design track; the BXA intercollege degree program with Bachelor of Computer Science and Arts (BCSA), Bachelor of Humanities and Arts (BHA), and Bachelor of Science and Arts (BSA) pathways; and the Design MA, MDES, and undergraduate minor. Across programs, students have access to dedicated studio spaces and state-of-the-art production facilities. Students may complete a professional internship and study abroad in places such as Paris and London. CMU Design graduates are routinely hired at places such as Microsoft, Deloitte Digital, Capital One, Amazon, Hulu, Google, The New York Times, Apple, IDEO, Netflix, R/GA, Volkswagen, and GoDaddy.

The School of the Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) houses the Department of Graphic Design (GD). Within the department are the Graphic Design BFA (GD BFA) and a Design MFA program. The NASAD-accredited MFA has a Visual Communications concentration. Across programs, students have access to the campus-based Creative Print Bureau (CPB) and Middle of Broad (mOb studio). Both provide opportunities to participate in community and government ventures, workshops, and print production projects. Graduates work at places such as Google, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), Apple, Disney, BBDO, Amazon, Pentagram, The New York Times, Spotify, Nike, and Wieden+Kennedy. 

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) provides a number of flexible paths to study graphic design. Options include the Graphic Design BFA; a cross-disciplinary, STEM-designated Visual Communication Design (VCD) MFA; a Design and Imaging Technology AOS/AAS that explores graphic production, digital media, and 3D graphics technology; and BFA degrees in New Media Design, Illustration, and 3D Digital Design. For these programs, students can create a concentration through electives and minors such as Computer Graphics, Letterpress Printmaking, Visualization, and New Media Design. RIT graduates can be found at places such as Hasbro, Boeing, Nickelodeon, Disney, Microsoft, Google, Warner Bros., Apple, Deloitte Digital, HP, Northrop Grumman, PepsiCo, ESPN, Intel, P&G, Nike, IDEO, and Under Armour.

The School of Art at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) houses a Communication Design AAS and Graphic Design BFA (GD BFA). The AAS provides a direct entry into the GD BFA as well as the Packaging Design, Advertising and Digital Design, and Visual Presentation and Exhibition Design BFA programs. Program highlights include access to state-of-the-art production facilities in the Pomerantz Art and Design Center, and Peter G. Scotese Computer-Aided Design and Communications Center; internships at places such as HarperCollins Publishers, Ralph Lauren, and Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum;  and study abroad experiences in Spain, France, Italy, and Japan. Graduates can be found at places such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), BBDO, Pentagram, Sony, PepsiCo, DDB, Nike, Landor, R/GA, LEGO, Colgate-Palmolive, The Jewish Museum, Godiva, Think Brands, and New York Public Library. 

The Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University (Temple) houses several STEM-certified programs for aspiring graphic designers. Options include the Graphic and Interactive Design (GAID) BFA; a GAID MFA; the GAID BFA with a certificate in Creative Entrepreneurship (through partnership with Temple’s Fox School of Business); the GAID minor for non-majors; and complementary minors in Illustration and Emerging Media, and User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design. Across programs students benefit from faculty mentorship and real world experience through hands-on learning projects; participation in the Collaborative Design Workshop in Rome; and access to the Digital Fabrication Studio and other state-of-the-art facilities. GAID graduates have secured roles at places such as the MTV, Google, The New York Times, Nickelodeon, Pentagram, Hallmark, NBCUniversal, NFL Films, Chronicle Books, the Philadelphia Flyers, Anheuser-Busch, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. 

The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design at Drexel University (Drexel) has a Graphic Design BS program with a mandatory co-op component. This six-month full-time work experience highlights partnerships with places like Apple, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and ESPN. A Graphic Design minor is also available and open to students across all majors. The Graphic Design program includes studio tours and trips to Design Philadelphia events; access to state-of-the-art facilities such as the Hybrid Making Lab, Computer Lab, and wood and metal shops; and participation in the annual trip to New York City. The culminating Senior Showcase attracts industry professionals and the public. Graduates often secure employment at places such as Marvel, Google, Ketchum, Amazon, Under Armour, Penguin Random House, The Franklin Institute, Urban Outfitters, Comcast, and Spotify. 

The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) houses the Stuart Weitzman School of Design. Within the school is a Design BA program for undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Program highlights include integrative studios; access to electives such as Graphic Design, Mixed Media Animation, and User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) Design; professional internships; study abroad experiences; and a year-long design project culminating with a public exhibition and panel critique by notable designers. Weitzman Design graduates have secured positions at places such as Vogue, Google, Pentagram, Apple, Disney, Riot Games, Adidas, MSNBC, Target, Gensler, Unity, Nike, LOFT, Nestlé, Mediabistro, Adobe, the YMCA, and Digitas Health.

The Visual, Media, and Performing Arts (VMPA) Department at Rutgers University—Camden (Rutgers—Camden) houses a Graphic Design BFA program, a Visual Art BA with a concentration in Graphic Design, and a Graphic Design minor. All programs are studio-based, with courses taught by professional artists and designers. Other program benefits include access to dedicated graphic design facilities; internships with the Philadelphia 76ers and Marvel, to name a few; and faculty-led study abroad experiences in destinations like Greece, Ireland, France, South Africa, Germany, South Korea, and Italy. Graduates can be found at places such as Amazon, Lockheed Martin, The Philadelphia Inquirer, NBCUniversal, MTV, Disney, IBM, The Campbell’s Company, Marvel Comics, Dell, Subaru of America, ADP, Vogue, and Leidos. 

The School of Art and Design at SUNY Purchase (also Purchase College) houses an intensive Graphic Design BFA program with the option to specialize in Illustration; a Visual Arts BFA with the option to combine Graphic Design with Printmaking or Sculpture; and a Visual Arts BS with the option to focus on Art History, Communication, or another approved concentration. All programs combine hands-on studio learning with access to state-of-the-art studios, makerspaces, and labs spanning 160,000 square feet. Upper-division students have access to semi-private studios. Graduates have been hired at places such as Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Google, Bloomberg, The New York Times, Gucci, Apple, Nike, Adobe, Paramount Pictures, Target, Disney, Johnson & Johnson, IBM, The Whitney, and HBO. 

The University of Vermont (UVM) provides several paths to study graphic design. Options include a BA in Studio Art with graphic design coursework, studios, and advanced technical electives; a Community-Centered Design BS with a Communication Design concentration; and an Applied Design minor. Across programs, students benefit from small class sizes with courses taught by industry designers; 24-hour access to production facilities; internships; and visiting artist lectures. Graduates go on to secure roles at places such as Microsoft, Hasbro, Viacom, Seventh Generation, Ben & Jerry’s, REI, EatingWell Magazine, Keurig Dr Pepper, The Rutland Herald, Burton Snowboards, PBS, Orvis, and The Burlington Free Press.