| Ranking | School | City | Ranking by Region | National Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston University | Boston | #10 on East Coast | #25 |
| 2 | Massachusetts College of Art and Design | Boston | #12 on East Coast | #36 |
| 3 | Northeastern University | Boston | #16 on East Coast | Unranked |
| 4 | Lesley University | Cambridge | Unranked | Unranked |
| 5 | University of Massachusetts Dartmouth | North Dartmouth | Unranked | Unranked |
Our 2026 ranking of the top 5 graphic design school programs in Massachusetts. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
The College of Fine Arts at Boston University (BU) provides several paths to study graphic design. Options include the Graphic Design BFA, MFA, and certificate. All students have access to state-of-the-art production facilities, including new studios, printing spaces, and a seminar room for graduate students. Other program highlights include printmaking workshops at MASEREEL in Kasterlee, Belgium; partnerships with local design studios; the Studio Arts Program at BU's Venice (Italy) Center; and design intensives in Amsterdam. Graduates of the BU Graphic Design programs have been hired at places such as Google, NBCUniversal, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, Southwest Airlines, ESPN, CarGurus, PUMA, Liberty Mutual, Candlewick Press, Deloitte, CVS Health, Merck, Dropbox, and PwC.
The Communication Department at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) has three paths to study graphic design. Options include the Communication Design BFA (CD BFA); a CD certificate that can be completed 100% online; and the Dynamic Media Institute (DMI) MFA. Across programs, students benefit from industry partnerships with companies and brands such as PUMA, Sony, and DraftKings; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; and the option to participate in PartnershipWORKS—a year-long, paid position with a local, mission-driven organization. Graduates have established careers at places such as Penguin Random House, Disney, Amazon, Bose, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Apple, IBM, Microsoft, Google, Adobe, The TJX Companies, Converse, Pinterest, Wayfair, and Chronicle Books.
The College of Arts, Media, and Design (CAMD) at Northeastern University (Northeastern) provides a number of single and combined degree paths to study graphic design. Options include a Graphic and Information Design BFA; Architecture and Graphic and Information Design BS; Communication Studies and Graphic and Information Design BA; English and Graphic and Information Design BA; Graphic and Information Design and Mathematics BS; Graphic and Information Design minor; and a certificate in Information Design and Visualization. All students can gain work experience through Northeastern’s co-op program, which provides opportunities to work with The New York Times, Nike, Amazon, and Bose. Graduates have been hired at these and other places such as Google, Microsoft, NBCUniversal, Apple, IBM, Disney, The Associated Press (AP), Visa, PlayStation, The Boston Globe, and Moderna.
The College of Art and Design at Lesley University houses the Graphic Design BFA, minor, and online certificate programs; an Interactive Design BFA; and an online User Experience (UX) minor. Across programs, students benefit from studio-based courses, access to state-of-the-art production facilities, small class sizes, faculty mentorship, and mandatory internships. Students have studied abroad in Italy, Spain, and the UK. Graduates can be found at places such as New Balance, Hasbro, the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM), Wynn Resorts, Puma, The Boston Globe, Stark Raving Boston, New England Sports Network (NESN), The Boston Herald, Ruth & Co., and the Boston Interactive Media Association (BIMA).
The College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (UMass Dartmouth) houses the Art and Design Department, which provides an Art and Design BFA with a Graphic Design concentration; an MFA in Visual Design with a specialized Graphic Design track; an 18-credit-hour Graphic Design minor; and a post-baccalaureate certificate (PBC) in Visual Design with a customizable Design track. Degree-seeking students have opportunities to intern at places such as Harley-Davidson, Hasbro, and The TJX Companies. Specialized faculty-led travel experiences in France, Italy, and the UK are also open to all CVPA students. In addition to Hasbro, graduates have been hired at places such as Puma, Bose, the USA Today Network, Wayfair, Fidelity, CVS Health, and Dartmouth Week.
