| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina State University | Raleigh |
| 2 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte |
| 3 | Appalachian State University | Boone |
| 4 | East Carolina University | Greenville |
| 5 | Winston-Salem State University | Winston-Salem |
Our 2025 ranking of the top graphic design school programs in North Carolina. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
The College of Design at North Carolina State University (NC State University) houses the Bachelor of Graphic and Experience Design (BGXD) and Master of Graphic and Experience Design (MGXD) programs. The BGXD is recognized by the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) and accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The MGXD is one of the few graphic design graduate programs in the U.S. with STEM Classification (CIP). Across programs students have opportunities to complete an internship and study abroad experiences in places such as Prague and Greece. Graduates can be found at places such as Adobe, IBM, Lenovo, IDEO, and R/GA.
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.
Appalachian State University’s (App State) Department of Art has several paths to study graphic design. Options include the Graphic Design BFA; Graphic Communications Management BS with a concentration in Print/Packaging Production; and the Graphic Communications Management BS with a Cross Media Production concentration. Program highlights include trips to museums and design studios in New York; internship opportunities with companies such as Warner Bros. Discovery and Home Magazine; and study abroad experiences in Italy, South Africa, and the UK, among others. Graduates have been hired at places such as Amazon, Gap, Red Hat, Tiffany & Co., RR Donnelly (RRD), Classic Graphics, and Salem One.
The College of Fine Arts and Communication at East Carolina University (ECU) houses the School of Art and Design. Within the school are the Art BFA and MFA programs. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), both options have a Graphic Design concentration. BFA students benefit from professional internship opportunities; study abroad experiences; and career services. MFA students enjoy 24/7 access to individual, private studio spaces in the Jenkins Fine Arts Center (Jenkins). ECU Design graduates can be found at places such as Northrop Grumman, Meta, Pentagram, Oracle, Tesla, and McGill Associates.
The Department of Art and Visual Studies at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) houses an Art BA program with a Computer Graphics concentration. Students benefit from small class sizes; internships at WSSU’s J. T. Diggs Gallery (Diggs Gallery) and local museums such as Reynolda House Museum of American Art and the Brooklyn Museum; opportunities to gain additional experience through the design practicum; and access to state-of-the-art studios and labs. The program culminates with the Senior Exhibit at Diggs Gallery. Graduates have gone on to land positions at places such as Meta, Pentagram, Truist Bank, Landor, HCL Technologies, Decals Performance Inc., and Identity Custom Signage.
