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

Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has a Graphic Design program with BA, BFA, and minor options. At the graduate level, the program has Graphic Design and Visual Experience MA and MFA options. Across programs, students have opportunities to collaborate with companies such as BMW and Disney through the university’s in-house design studio SCADpro, and 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. 

University of Florida (UF) is home to the School of Art and Art History. Within the school are several paths to study graphic design including the Graphic Design BFA; the Design and Visual Communications MFA (MxD); and Graphic Design minor. All students benefit from real-world projects with major companies; 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. 

Founded in 1945, the School of Industrial and Graphic Design (SIGD) at Auburn University is the oldest NASAD accredited school in Alabama. SIGD students have access to several program options including a Graphic Design BFA and an Industrial and Graphic Design Processes minor. Both programs take place in a studio environment featuring hands-on design courses; cross-disciplinary collaborations; and study abroad experiences in places such as the UK, Ireland, and Hong Kong. Graduates can be found at places such as Google, Apple, Microsoft, Adobe, IBM, Yelp, Pinterest, Dropbox, Tennibot, and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. 

The Lamar Dodd School of Art at University of Georgia (UGA) was established in 1937. Serving more than 1,000 students, the school houses five facilities for gallery spaces and instruction; the year-round Studies Abroad Program in Cortona, Italy; state-of-the-art studios; a visual resource center; galleries for student and public exhibitions; and an interdisciplinary Fine Arts BFA with a concentration in Graphic Design. In addition to all Dodd has to offer, the program features immersive workshops; seminars; visiting artists; and participation in the Annual Bachelor of Fine Arts Exit Show. Graduates have gone on to establish careers at places such as IBM, Amazon, Deloitte, Meta, Cox Communications, Apple, Delta Airlines, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), AT&T, Home Depot, Emory Health, Free People, and Gensler. 

The School of Art at Louisiana State University (LSU) provides two paths to study graphic design: the Studio Art BFA and MFA. Students in both programs can concentrate in graphic design. Other program benefits include participation in the Arts, Visualization, Advanced Technologies and Research (AVATAR) Initiative; workshops and lectures by visiting artists; access to the IDEA Hub, studio spaces, the Fabrication Factory, teaching labs, and the Design Shop; and the opportunity to join the Digital Art and Design Association (DADA) or the Graphic Design Student Organization (GDSA). Graduates can be found at places such as Sony, Lucasfilm, IBM, Pixar, Baltimore Museum of Art, The Washington Post, Conagra Brands, DreamWorks, Travel + Leisure, Disney, Halliburton, KPMG, and Nissan North America. 

The School of Design at University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT) houses an interdisciplinary Graphic Design BFA program that takes place in a studio environment. Students in other majors outside of the School of Design can enroll in the Graphic Design Studies minor. Across programs, students benefit from small class sizes; 24/7 access to state-of-the-art production facilities; and collaborative design studios. BFA students may also participate in the internship and study abroad programs. All students will complete the Graphic Design Capstone for presentation at the Annual Senior Show. Graduates have been hired at places such as Boeing, Google, Meta, IDEO, Coca-Cola, HGTV, Accenture, and Discovery. 

The School of Visual Arts and Design (SVAD) at University of Florida (UCF) has several paths to study graphic design including an Emerging Media BFA with a Graphic Design track, and the Emerging Media MFA with a Studio Art and Design track. The BFA explores areas such as branding, user interface/user experience (UI/UX), identity systems, packaging design, publishing, interactive design, film, and web design. The MFA focuses on areas such as experimentation, traditional media, human interaction, and emerging media. Graduates can be found at NASA, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Microsoft, DreamWorks, Amazon, Sony, Adult Swim, Blizzard Entertainment, Apple, Universal Orlando, Meta, NBCUniversal, Rockstar Games, Lockheed Martin, Netflix, Electronic Arts (EA), and Warner Bros. 

The School of Visual Art and Design (SVAD) at University of South Carolina (USC) is the largest art school in the state. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the school houses a Studio Art Program leading to a BA or BFA. Students may concentrate in one of seven areas. This includes Graphic Design and Illustration (GD+I). Other program features include access to 85,000 square feet of production space; industry internships; study abroad experiences in places such as Italy, Spain, and the UK; and workshops, guest speakers, and special design events through the South Carolina Chapter of the AIGA. Graduates have gone on to land positions at places such as Boeing, Google, Nike, IBM, Humana, Miami Marlins, Anthropologie, Lyft, Bank of America, Reebok, and Duke Energy.

The College of Arts + Architecture (CoA+A) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) houses a Graphic Design BFA program that combines a project-based, interdisciplinary curriculum with professional internships with the Charlotte Hornets and NASCAR, among others. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the program also highlights 24/7 access to state-of-the-art facilities; opportunities to work with the student-run Midas Magazine; and study abroad experiences such as the Semester at E. Geppert Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Poland. Graduates are often hired at places such as Amazon, ESPN, Wells Fargo, IBM, Habitat for Humanity, and NASCAR. 

The College of Arts and Sciences (COAS) at University of North Florida (UNF) is home to the Department of Art, Art History, and Design. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the Department houses a Graphic Design BFA program that features hands-on design projects for local businesses. Students also benefit from internship opportunities; the visiting artist series; participation in two Senior Showcases in UNF Gallery Spaces; and study abroad in places such as Paris, London, and Spain. Graduates go on to establish successful careers with the U.S. Army, State Farm Insurance, the PGA Tour, Williams Athletics, Campers Inn, The Haskell Company, and GORUCK. 

The Ernest G. Welch School of Art and Design at Georgia State University (GSU) is home to the School of Art and Design, which houses the Graphic Design BFA and MFA programs. BFA students may focus in areas such as Book Arts; Computer Animation; and Illustration. MFA students benefit from graduate studios, design seminars, and full tuition waivers or monthly stipends via assistantships. The undergraduate program culminates with the Senior BFA Exit Portfolio Review and participation in the BFA Senior Group Exhibition. MFA students will present their thesis work during an exit show at a campus gallery. GSU Graphic Design alumni have been hired at places such as Cartoon Network, Amazon, Disney, Google, Carter's-Oshkosh B'gosh; Mailchimp, Passion Publishing, and MiMedx Group.

Flagler College (Flagler) provides two paths to study graphic design—the BFA and a minor. The Graphic Design BFA (GD BFA) is a professional degree that allows students to specialize in a specific area through electives. The Graphic Design minor is a 23 credit hour program that can be taken alone or with most Flagler majors. Other GD benefits include studio projects that can be submitted to design competitions such as the ADDY Awards; internship opportunities at places such as Cox Media Group; and the Art Study Abroad or Study Away New York electives. Graduates can be found at places such as Northrop Grumman, Amazon, Lucasfilm, Disney, The Wall Street Journal, Marvel, CNN, Walmart, and Publix. 

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) is home to the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). Within the CAS is the Department of Art (UTC Art), which houses an Art BFA program with a concentration in Design Research and Practice. Course examples include Typography; Space and Sequence; Design Studio I-IV; Visual Literacy for Design; and Expanded Drawing. Other program benefits include cooperative education assignments with partner companies; internship opportunities; frequent studio visits; access to state-of-the-art studios; and faculty mentorship. The program culminates with a final project and presentation. UTC Design alumni can be found at places such as Volkswagen Group of America, HCA Healthcare, EPB, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, 3H Group, and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).