| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond |
| 2 | Liberty University | Lynchburg |
| 3 | George Mason University | Fairfax |
| 4 | Virginia State University | Petersburg |
| 5 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg |
Our 2024 ranking of the top 5 graphic design school programs in Virginia. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is home to the School of the Arts (VCUarts). Within the school is the Department of Graphic Design, which provides a BFA in Graphic Design and an MFA in Design/Visual Communications. Students in both programs have access to labs and design studios such as the Creative Print Bureau (CPB) and middle Of broad (mOb). CPB is a student and staff operated lab that provides print production services and learning opportunities through workshops, demos, and self-service machines. Students may participate in print production projects for various local businesses.
The experimental design lab mOb brings together the departments of graphic, fashion, and interior design. Designers from all departments work with faculty mentors on projects for companies across the state. Students may also participate in community and government projects. Past projects have included a reimagined Monument Avenue in Richmond; signage for the James River Park System; and the development of bridge concepts for Interstate 95.
Consisting of 122 credit hours, the Graphic Design BFA emphasizes collaboration. Students will begin the BFA with the Art Foundation Program (AFP), which consists of courses and studios such as Survey of Art I-II; Time Studio; Surface Research; Drawing Studio; Space Research; and Project Studio.
Upon completion of the AFP, students will move on to courses such as Core Studio I-IV; Synthesis; Multi Studio I-II; Design Practices; Precedents Inquiry; Dialogues; and Critical Inquiry. Electives allow students to explore everything form book design to management. Elective examples include Book Arts; Letterpress; Typographic Systems; Web Design; Exhibition and Environments Graphic Design; Experimental Letterpress; Typeface Design; Studio Management; and Design Activism.
The Graphic Design BFA culminates with a final project and professional portfolio. Graduates of the program are prepared to pursue design roles across industries. Program alumni are Graphic Designers, Exhibition Designers, Creative Directors, Interaction Designers, User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX) Designers, Film Production Designers, Environmental Graphic Designers, and Broadcast Designers.
Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the 60 credit hour Design/Visual Communications MFA at Virginia Commonwealth University is a design and research degree that culminates in a final research project, work of art, thesis or dissertation. MFA students will complete several workshops and seminars; research/individual study; and an Internship or Teaching Practicum. Optional study abroad programs for a semester, summer or several weeks are also available.
Graduates of the VCUarts Design/Visual Communications MFA program are prepared to pursue leadership roles in all areas of design. Graduates may also pursue positions in art and design education and research. Program alumni are prepared to pursue titles such as Senior Graphic Designer, Creative Director, Critical Analyst (Publishing), Public Art Director, Program Manager (Non-Profit), Design Strategist, Art Educator, Media Production Manager, Identity and Branding Design Manager, and Information Architect.
Founded in 1838, Virginia Commonwealth University is a top 100 research university that serves approximately 28,595 students. The largest employer in Richmond, Virginia, VCU provides more than 200 academic programs across 15+ colleges, schools, and centers. Virginia Commonwealth University accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Founded in 1928, the School of the Arts at VCU is a four-year, non-profit art and design school accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and the National Association for Schools of Theatre (NAST). The school serves around 3,230 students enrolled in 18 bachelor’s degree programs and five master’s degree programs. In 1998, VCUarts founded its Doha, Qatar campus. This location serves approximately 380 students enrolled in five bachelor’s degree programs and one master’s degree program.
Liberty University (Liberty U) is home to the School of Communication and the Arts, which has several paths to study Graphic Design. At the undergraduate level, the school provides a Graphic Design BFA; Digital Design: Graphic Design BS; and a Studio and Digital Arts: Graphic Design BS. At the graduate level, students can earn an MFA in Graphic Design.
A major component of all programs is the opportunity to complete a 90-hour practicum and a 180-hour internship with a major company, studio or organization. Students have interned at places such as ESPN, Disney, Bloomingdale’s, and Ralph Lauren.
Other program features include study abroad experiences in London or Paris; access to drawing and painting labs, 2D/3D design labs, Mac labs, photography labs, and the 3D Innovation Lab; and extensive portfolio development workshops and courses.
The Liberty U Graphic Design BFA requires 120 credit hours of study. Course examples include Graphic Design; Art, Culture and technology; Interactive Design I-II; Vector Illustration; Publication Design; Advanced Typography; Drawing I-II; Interactive Publication; History of Graphic Design; and Digital Imaging. Students will also complete a professional practices course, final project, and portfolio. This campus-based program can be completed in four years.
The Digital Design: Graphic Design BS at Liberty U consists of 120 credit hours. Course examples include Art as Communication; Digital Photography; Introduction to 2D Design; Graphic Design I-II; Art Appreciation; History of Art I-II; Advanced Typography; Vector Illustration; and Professional Practices.
The Digital Design: Graphic Design BS at Liberty U can be completed 100% online in 3.5 years. Students will graduate with a professional portfolio of their best work
The Studio & Digital Arts: Graphic Design BS is a residential program that requires 120 credit hours of study. Course examples include Studio & Illustration Foundations; Graphic Design I-II; Introduction to 3D Graphics; Interactive Design I; Professional Practices; Introduction to Typography; and History of Art I-II. The program culminates with a final project and professional portfolio.
The Graphic Design MFA at Liberty University is a 60 credit hour program that consists of 8-week courses delivered 100% online. Students in this interdisciplinary program will develop advanced skills in areas such as publication design, 3D art, typography, vector illustration, web design, digital photography, and game design.
Course examples include Interactive Design; Publication Design; History of Graphic Design; Sequential Art; Character Design; Visualization Illustration; Interactive Game Design; Advanced Typography; Digital Imaging; Web and New Media; Advanced Graphic Design; and Advanced Digital Photography.
The Graphic Design MFA culminates with two courses: Art and Design Research Methodologies, and Thesis/Portfolio Project.
Graduates of the Graphic Design programs at Liberty U Graphic are prepared to pursue positions in fields such as advertising, branding, marketing, user interface (UI), packaging design, illustration, publishing, multimedia art, museums, game design, entertainment, and web design. MFA graduates are prepared to pursue leadership, research, and teaching positions in these and any other fields.
Program alumni can be found at places such as BBDO, Conde Nast, Motion Picture Association of America, Capital One, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, ESPN, Discovery Communications, Hallmark, M&C Saatchi Performance, Alloy Research and Brand Strategy, SAP, Prototype Advertising, and ACCO Brands.
Founded in 1971, Liberty University opened with just over 150 students. Today, Liberty U serves more than 135,000 students enrolled in over 700 campus-based and online programs. Liberty students come from all 50 states and just about every country around the globe. Programs at Liberty U are housed across 16 colleges and schools. Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The College of Visual and Performing Arts at George Mason University (GMU) houses the School of Art, which provides undergraduate and graduate degrees, accelerated master's degrees, certificates, and minors in areas such as studio art, web design, animation, graphic design, and illustration.
Options within graphic design include a BFA in Art and Visual Technology (AVT) with a concentration in Graphic Design (GD); an MFA in Visual and Performing Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design; a Graphic Design minor; and a Graphic Design certificate. The BFA requires 120 credit hours, with opportunities to study motion graphics, illustration, branding, user experience (UX) design, and more. Students will also have opportunities to work on collaborative projects, enter design competitions, and complete a professional internship.
Course examples for the program include Graphic Design Methods and Principles; Book Arts: Books Enclosures; Motion Design; Illustration; Publication Design; Advertising; Photobook: Concepts Form; Web Design and Usability; Brand Identity Design; Digital Printmaking; and Package Design.
The BFA program culminates with the Senior Art + Design Show, which allows students to present their senior capstone projects. Graduates are prepared to pursue design roles across industries.
The Graphic Design minor at George Mason University requires 15 credit hours of study and it can be added to most creative programs and others. Required courses include Graphic Design Methods and Principles; Typography; and History of Graphic Design. Students may take Publication Design or Brand Identity Design and Advanced Typography or Advertising Design.
The undergraduate certificate in Graphic Design is designed for working professionals with a four-year undergraduate degree looking to transition to a career in graphic design. Consisting of 18 credit hours, the program has three tracks including Branding and Advertising Design; Digital Design; and Publication Design. All tracks require Introduction to Web Design; Graphic Design Methods and Principles; Typography; and Professional Graphic Design Practices.
Students will select the remaining courses from their chosen track. Branding and Advertising course examples include Package Design and Brand Identity Design. Digital Design examples include Web Design and Usability and User Experience Design. Publication Design examples include Book Arts: Books Enclosures and Illustration.
The MFA in Visual and Performing Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design is a 60 credit hour program, with 45 credits in core and studio requirements. Students in this terminal degree program may select an emphasis area from the following options: Printmaking; Painting and Drawing; Photography; New Media Art; and Sculpture.
Other program benefits include self-directed studies that take place in small communities of studios; visiting artists; supporting courses in writing, contemporary critical theory, and research; formal critiques with faculty and peers; monthly trips to New York galleries; and attendance at lectures hosted by local venues. All MFA also students have opportunities to collaborate and exhibit their work in local galleries including Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia.
Graduates of the Visual and Performing Arts MFA at George Mason University are prepared to pursue leadership roles with in-house design departments across all industries, as well as at advertising agencies, television networks, marketing firms, magazines, film studios, museums and art galleries, packaging design firms, book publishers, museums, branding agencies, web design companies, and academic institutions.
GMU alumni have been hired at places such as Walt Disney Company, Nestle, AARP, Virginia Serious Game Institute, Marriott Hotels, CBS, Nike, Tesla, Microsoft, Amazon, Capital One, CVS Health, National Gallery of Art, Verizon, Apple, Proctor & Gamble, Humana, Target, CGI, GE Aerospace, Nationwide, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Dell Technologies, Mayo Clinic, Nokia, Salesforce, and INOVA.
Founded in 1949 as a branch of the University of Virginia, George Mason University serves more than 40,000 students, making it the largest public university in the Commonwealth of Virginia. GMU provides more than 200 degree programs across 10 colleges and schools. George Mason University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Virginia State University (VSU or Virginia State) houses the Art and Design Department, home to the Art and Design BFA. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the program has concentrations in Graphic Design, Studio Arts, and Animation. All concentrations can be taken as minors as well.
All Art and Design students will begin their studies with the Communication, Organization, Realization, Expression (CORE) program. Students will complete foundation level courses, such as Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Design; Drawing; Computer Fundamentals; and Color Theory before moving into advanced concentration coursework.
Students in the Graphic Design concentration will take courses such as Graphic Design I-II; Silkscreen Procedures; Package Design; Typography I-II; Visual Narrative; Graphic Design History; Illustration I-II; Publication Design; Editorial Illustration; Web Design I-III; Strategic Design; Advertising Design; Print I-II; Special Topics in Graphic Design; and Digital Photography I-II.
In the final year of the Art and Design program at Virginia State, students will have the opportunity to complete a professional internship. The program culminates with the Senior Thesis Project presented before a departmental committee.
Graduates are prepared to pursue careers as commercial artists in such areas as print design, illustration, and package design.
Virginia State University was founded on March 6, 1882. One of Viginia’s two land-grant institutions, the school serves approximately 4,000 students enrolled in 37 undergraduate degree programs, 16 graduate degree programs, two doctoral degree programs, and nine certificate programs across six colleges. Virginia State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) is home to the School of Visual Arts (SOVA). Within the SOVA is a Graphic Design program that provides opportunities to gain hands-on experience in the student-run Graphic Design Center known as FourDesign. Also led by faculty, FourDesign attracts real-world clients from within the industry. Leading to BFA, the Graphic Design program also features a required 130-hour internship that takes place in the students junior or senior year.
Other program features include courses taught by industry professionals; access to state-of-the-art design labs, studios, and classrooms; participation in student-run galleries; and study abroad programs in more than 30 countries. Recent destinations include Portugal, Japan, Egypt, India, Spain, and China.
The curriculum for the 120 credit hour Graphic Design BFA includes course such as Principles of 2D Art and Design; Introduction to Graphic Design; Typography I-II; Intermediate Graphic Design; Advanced Typography; Advanced Communication Design I-II; and History of Modern Graphic Design. The program culminates with a final project and portfolio of the student's best work.
Graduates of the Graphic Design BFA program at Virginia Tech are prepared to pursue design roles in fields such as advertising, product design, brand management, publications design, exhibit design, marketing, book design, web design, public relations, interaction design, and packaging design.
Program alumni have been hired at places such as Disney, Amazon, Capital One, ESPN, Google, NASA, the Brooklyn Art Museum, the FBI, Facebook, National Geographic, AT&T, USA Today, the CIA, Warby Parker, Instagram, Watermark Design, Axios, and Tractorbeam.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University opened on October 1, 1872 as Virginia’s land-grant institution. The school serves more than 38,000 students enrolled in approximately 280 undergraduate and graduate programs across 11 colleges and schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
