| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Michigan | Michigan |
| 2 | Purdue University | Indiana |
| 3 | Indiana University, Bloomington | Indiana |
| 4 | DePaul University | Illinois |
| 5 | Michigan State University | Michigan |
Our 2025 rankings of the Top 5 graduate UX/UI/HCI school programs in the Midwest. For reference, we define the Midwest as Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
University of Michigan (U-M) is home to the School of Information (UMSI). Within the school is an Information MS (MSI) with a UX Research and Design pathway. The school’s largest program, the MSI is an interdisciplinary degree that highlights experiential learning; hands-on projects; internships; and dual degree options across more than 90 U-M programs. The MSI program culminates with a final project. With a near-perfect success rate, graduates are routinely hired at places such as the U.S. Department of Labor, Microsoft, Cisco, Epic, IBM, Amazon, Google, JPMorgan Chase, Deloitte, Samsung, EY, Ford, Lilly, Meta, Walmart, Goldman Sachs, Nike, PNC, Visa, Transunion, and Humana.
Purdue University (Purdue) is home to Purdue Polytechnic Institute, which houses the School of Applied and Creative Computing. Within the school is a Computer Graphics Technology MS (CGT MS) and a Technology PhD. Both programs allow students to concentrate in UX Design. All students may participate in the Experience Studios at Purdue, which provide opportunities to work with partners such as Microsoft, Dolby, and Uline. Purdue Polytechnic graduates go on to land leadership roles at places such as Boeing, Microsoft, Google, Deloitte, Amazon, DreamWorks, Cisco, JPMorgan, Chase, and Dell.
The Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering at Indiana University Bloomington (IU Bloomington) is the first school of its kind in the U.S. The school also houses a STEM-designated Human-Computer Interaction (HCI/d) MS that was the first graduate program of its kind to emphasize design as an equal partner to HCI. This intensive, two-year program features required and elective courses such as Experience Design; Visual Design for HCI; Human-Robot Interaction; Advanced Prototyping; and Interaction Design Methods. The program culminates with a capstone project that focuses on user research for design; service/strategic design; interaction design; or design scholarship. Graduates have been hired at places such as Google, Dow, Amazon, Lilly, Microsoft, Apple, Meta, and Harman.
The School of Design (SoD) at DePaul University (DePaul) is home to the interdisciplinary Human-Computer Interaction MS and the Human Centered Design PhD programs. Both options focus on areas such as design and production; prototype development; interaction design; and user research. All students have access to the CDM Usability Lab and opportunities to contribute to organizations such as the Chicago Interaction Design Association and XD Roundtable. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles across industries. They can be found at places such as Amazon, United Airlines, Google, Ford, JPMorgan Chase, Hilton Worldwide, AT&T, Target, CVS, Kraft Heinz, and Walgreens.
The College of Communication Arts and Sciences (ComArtSci) at Michigan State University (MSU) houses the Department of Media and Information (MI). Within the department are the STEM-designated Media and Information MA with a focus in HCI/UX, and the User Experience MS. Both programs provide access to state-of-the-art labs and studios; opportunities to work on projects with real clients; and internship opportunities with places such as Apple, The Daily Show, and ABC Studios. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles across industries. MSU ComArtSci graduates can be found at places such as Google, Ford, Microsoft, NBCUniversal, Amazon, Lenovo, Accenture, GM, AstraZeneca, and Reuters.
