| Ranking | School | City | Ranking by Region | National Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purdue University | West Lafayette | #8 in Midwest | #40 |
| 2 | University of Notre Dame | Notre Dame | #17 in Midwest | Unranked |
| 3 | Indiana University Bloomington | Bloomington | #19 in Midwest | Unranked |
| 4 | Indiana University Indianapolis | Indianapolis | Unranked | Unranked |
| 5 | Ball State University | Muncie | Unranked | Unranked |
Our 2026 ranking of the top 5 graphic design school programs in Indiana. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
Purdue University (Purdue) provides two paths to study graphic design. Options include a Visual Communication Design (VCD) BFA and the Visual and Performing Arts MFA with a VCD concentration. Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) also houses a Graphic Design BFA program. Highlights across programs include internships at local design studios or Purdue’s in-house marketing and advertising agency—Purdue Brand Studio; access to electives such as Geometric Modeling for Visualization and Communication, Physical Computing, and Interaction Design Evaluation; collaborative projects; and interdisciplinary seminars. Graduates have secured positions at places such as Google, Leo Burnett, DDB, The New York Times, Microsoft, Disney, Apple, Publicis Groupe, National Geographic, and PepsiCo.
The Department of Art, Art History, and Design (AAHD) at the University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame) houses a Design program with BA, BFA, and MFA options. The Design MFA is a fully funded terminal degree program with a concentration in Visual Communication Design (VCD). The Design BA and BFA programs allow students to concentrate in VCD and/or select a double major or a minor, such as Collaborative Innovation. All students have opportunities to collaborate on real-world projects; join the AIGA student chapter; participate in design competitions and studio tours; and intern at places such as Leo Burnett and DreamWorks. Graduates have landed positions at these and other places such as Apple, Microsoft, The New York Times, Google, IDEO, Amazon, Mattel, Booz Allen Hamilton, Dell, Nike, Ogilvy, IBM, Disney, HarperCollins, Deloitte Digital, Estée Lauder, Target, Newell Brands, Uber, and Spotify.
The Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design (SOAAD) at Indiana University Bloomington (IU Bloomington) provides several paths to study graphic design. Within the Studio Art program are BA and BFA degrees with a Graphic Design concentration, and an MFA with a Graphic Design specialization. Across programs, students have opportunities to complete an internship at places such as Adidas, EY, and HubSpot. Other highlights include access to Digital Printing Labs, the Letterpress Studio, and Prototyping Labs; workshops and critiques by notable artists and designers; the McKinney Visiting Artist Series; and study abroad experiences in places such as Milan, Italy and Kyoto, Japan. Graduates have been hired at places such as Leo Burnett, Disney, Google, Publicis Groupe, Amazon, Ogilvy, Target, PwC, ESPN, The Washington Post, Crate & Barrel, Hearst, Intuit, the E.W. Scripps Company, and People Inc.
Herron School of Art + Design at Indiana University Indianapolis (IU Indianapolis) provides several paths to study graphic design. Options include a studio-intensive Visual Communication Design (VCD) BFA with minor options such as Studio Art and Technology, Photography, and Book Arts; a cross-disciplinary Communication Design MDes with dedicated workstations; and an undergraduate Graphic Design minor. Degree-seeking students can complete an internship and attend seminars, while all students have access to the Think It Make It Lab, eight design studios, and Herron Art Library. Graduates can be found at places such as Amazon, Google, Deloitte, Pixar, Apple, Eli Lilly, UPS, Adidas, and Barclays.
Ball State University (BSU) houses the School of Art, which provides several paths to study graphic design. Options include the Graphic Design BFA; a Graphic Design Studies BS; and minors in Graphic Arts Technology, Studio Art, and Digital Media. Studio Art students can craft their own concentration area through electives. Across programs, students benefit from an immersive studio environment, with access to state-of-the-art production facilities; opportunities to work in the student-led graphic design studio—Studio 165+; participation in the 10-week virtual One Creative Mentorship Program; and internships at places such as the David Owsley Museum of Art (DOMA). Graduates have been hired at places such as Google, Disney, NASA, LPK, The Star Tribune, UPS, Target, VMware, and Angi.
