Top 25 Graphic Design Schools and Colleges in the Midwest – 2025 College Rankings

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) houses the Visual Communication Design (VCD) Department, home to the Studio BFA (VCD) and the Studio MFA (VCD). SAIC’s Continuing Studies Department also provides a Graphic Design certificate with an emphasis in Print Media. BFA and MFA students benefit from the VCD Department’s active AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) 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, Target, and Nike. 

Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) houses the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts. Within the school are two programs for aspiring graphic designers: the BFA with a major in Communication Design, and the Design BA with a Communication concentration. Students in both programs will complete the first-year requirement, consisting of courses such as Design, Drawing, and 3D Design. All students have opportunities to work one on one with instructors; complete an internship; and study abroad 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 School of Design at University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) houses the Graphic Design Program, which has both BDes and MDes options. The school also provides an interdisciplinary Design Studies BA. For all students, electives allow students to study different areas outside the School of Design. Students in the MDes will participate in the Basel School of Design Summer Workshops, which takes place at the FHNW HGK Basel Visual Communication Institute in Münchenstein, Switzerland. UIC Graphic Design graduates have been hired at places such as Google, FCB, Morningstar, Northwestern Medicine, @properties, Crate & Barrel, Pivot Design, Barnes & Noble, The Mill, and Liturgy Training Publications. 

The Graphic Design Program at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) has Graphic Design BFA, minor and certificate options; a Graphic and Web Design MA; and an interdisciplinary MFA. All students benefit from hands-on training through internships and collaborative client projects; study abroad experiences in places such the UK, Italy, and Japan; and participation 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 Department of Design at University of Kansas (KU) is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Within the department is a Design BFA with a major in Visual Communication Design (Graphic Design). Students have the opportunity to enhance the degree by adding the Book Arts certificate and/or a minor in Design Entrepreneurship or Photography. Other program benefits include access to studio spaces and state-of-the-art computer, letterpress, and digital fabrication labs; semester-long internships in the U.S. and abroad; and participation in the KU short-term study abroad program. KU Design graduates have gone on to land positions at places such as NASA, Sotheby’s, Boeing, GM, Helzberg Diamonds, Lockheed Martin, EVERSANA, and Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD) has a multidisciplinary Communication Design (CD) BFA program that provides access to a variety of degree-enhancing minor options. Examples include Advertising; Digital Book Arts; Animation; Games and Interactive Media; Copywriting; Media Production; and Arts Management. Students also have the option to personalize their own path of study through available courses, electives, and experiential learning. The program culminates with the Thesis and Portfolio Practice courses. MIAD graduates are routinely hired at places such as Google, Ford, Nike, GM, Harley-Davidson, Kohler Co., High Sierra, GE Healthcare, Lands’ End, Delta Faucet, and Milwaukee Tool. 

The College of Design at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (UMTC) has several paths to study graphic design. Options include the Graphic Design BFA, and a Graphic Design track for MFA, MS, and PhD students. Across programs, students have opportunities to participate in workshops, advanced studios, collaborative design projects, internships, and study abroad experiences. The BFA culminates with a public exhibition. Graduate programs culminate with a thesis or dissertation. Graduates of the Graphic Design programs at UMTC are routinely hired at places such as US Bank, John Deere, and Perkins & Will. 

The School of Visual Communication Design (VCD) at Kent State University (KSU or Kent State) has several paths to study graphic design. Options include the VCD BA, BFA, MA, and MFA. As part of the School of VCD, students in all programs enjoy mandatory internships at companies in places such as Chicago, New York, and San Francisco. Many of these internships are paid. Other VCD highlights include access to the Creative Lab, production studios, and galleries; portfolio development; and international study experiences. Graduates can be found at places such as NASA, Microsoft, Cleveland Clinic, Google, ESPN, Apple, Progressive Insurance, American Greetings, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. 

The Department of Art, Art History, and Design (AAHD) at University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame) is home to the Division of Design, which provides Design BA, BFA, and MFA degrees. The graduate program is fully-funded and culminates with a professional exhibition of student work. The Design BA and BFA programs allow students to concentrate in Visual Communication Design (VCD). All students have opportunities to participate in design competitions; the AIGA student chapter; collaborative projects; field trips to design studios; and professional internships. Notre Dame AAHD graduates have gone on to land positions at places such as Microsoft, Booz Allen Hamilton, Google, DreamWorks Animation, The New York Times, HarperCollins, Southwest Airlines, Disney, IBM, Mattel, Ogilvy, The Denver Broncos, and Accenture.

The College of Arts and Sciences at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) houses one of Ohio’s largest and oldest art schools—the BGSU School of Art. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) since 1984, the school provides two paths to study design: the Graphic Design BFA and the Integrative Design MDes. All students enjoy access to state-of-the-art facilities such as the CAVE (Center for Advanced Visualization and Education) Lab and the Digital Arts Classroom, and opportunities to intern at places such as Disney, PBS, American Greetings, and Pixar. Graduates can be found at places such as American Greetings, Nike, YouTube, Levi Strauss & Co., Cleveland Institute of Art, and Gerber. 

The Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design (SOAAD) at Indiana University Bloomington (IU Bloomington) has a Studio Art Program with BA, BFA, and MFA options. All students may concentrate in Graphic Design. Program highlights include access to state-of-the-art facilities such as the Student Technology Centers (STCs), Letterpress Studio, and Digital Printing Labs; workshops, critiques, and gallery talks led by award-winning artists; internships at places such as Amazon, Macy’s, and Universal Studios; and study abroad experiences in places such as Japan and Italy. Recent graduates have been hired at places such as NBC, The Washington Post, Disney, Scripps, PwC, Starcom Worldwide, and ESPN. 

The School of Art at Ball State University (BSU) provides several paths to study graphic design. Degree-seeking students can earn a BFA in Graphic Design or a Graphic Design Studies BS. Minor options for students in most creative majors include Graphic Arts Technology; Digital Media; and Studio Art with a customizable specialization. Programs take place in a collaborative studio environment with opportunities to work in the student design firm Studio 165+. Programs culminate with a final project. Graduates have been hired at places such as NASA, Google, Seattle Seahawks, Walt Disney World, American Eagle, UPS, VMware, LPK, High Alpha, Optum, Inc., Hirons, The Star Tribune, and Hook. 

Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD) has a Graphic Design BFA that provides opportunities to work on projects with companies such as Airstream and Red, White & BOOM!; select one or two minors; attend design seminars and workshops; participate in the American Advertising Federation sponsored event The Pitch and the CCAD-based AdGraph Collective; and engage with visiting artists and designers. All BFA students also have access to state-of-the-art equipment, labs, and studios. CCAD BFA graduates are routinely hired at places such as Saatchi & Saatchi, Pixar, Apple, Leo Burnett, JPMorgan Chase, IBM, Ogilvy, American Greetings, Bath & Body Works, Disney, BBDO Worldwide, A&E, and Gallo Winery.