| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | School of the Art Institute of Chicago | Chicago |
| 2 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign |
| 3 | University of Illinois Chicago | Chicago |
| 4 | Columbia College Chicago | Chicago |
| 5 | DePaul University | Chicago |
Our 2025 ranking of the top 5 graphic design school programs in Illinois. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
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.
The School of Art and Design at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) houses an interdisciplinary Graphic Design BFA, and the Design for Responsible Innovation (formerly Graphic Design) MFA. The BFA program explores typography, image making, user experience (UX), and research methods. The MFA focuses on areas such as graphic design, systems and service design, interaction, narrative, and visual analytics. UIUC Design graduates have been hired at places such as Boeing, Apple, Nike, Google, Pfizer, Disney, Microsoft, Walmart, Lockheed Martin, Intel, Ford, Meta, Target, and IBM.
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 School of Fine and Performing Arts at Columbia College Chicago (Columbia) houses the Graphic Design Program, which has BA, BFA, and minor options. The minor is open to students in any creative major. The curriculums for the BA and BFA programs cover layout, packaging design, typography, information design, and the latest design software. All students will have opportunities to complete an internship at places such as Leo Burnett and FCB. Programs culminate with a final project and professional portfolio. Graduates have been hired at places such as Google, Apple, DreamWorks, Rockstar Games, Hiton Hotels and Resorts, NASCAR, Leo Burnett, DDB, L'Oréal SA, and Fox Television.
Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM) at DePaul University (DePaul) is home to the School of Design, which houses the Graphic Design BFA, Graphic Design minor, and STEM-designated Digital Communication and Media Arts (DCMA) MA programs. Provided in partnership with DePaul’s College of Communication, the MA allows students to concentrate in Digital Communication or Media Arts, and participate in the School of Design’s Annual Year-End Showcase Kaleidoscope, alongside BFA students. All students have opportunities to intern at places such as Facets and LX MGMT. Graduates can be found at places such as Amazon, Google, IBM, Dell, Leo Burnett, Ford, Ubisoft, Oracle, and NBCUniversal.
