Top 50 Private Graphic Design Schools and Colleges in the U.S. – 2022 Rankings

The School of Visual Arts (SVA) has an interdisciplinary Design Program that offers concentrations in Graphic Design, 3D Design, Interaction Design, and Motion Graphics. Programs lead to a BFA or MFA. Students at both levels will participate in guest lectures, workshops, exhibitions, and competitions covered by CNN, NBC, and others. The program also provides complimentary membership to The One Club for Creativity, which includes The Art Directors Club and Type Directors Club.

All SVA Design students have access to the Digital Imaging Center and internship opportunities at local and national companies, as well as campus-based Visual Arts Press. Graduate students also have 24-hour access to individual, private studios.

The Design Program at School of Visual Arts allows BFA students to customize an additional area of focus within the concentration. Examples include branding, experiential design, editorial design, environmental design, package design, book jacket design, and information graphics. Course examples for BFA students include Foundations of Visual Computing, Computers in Studio I-II, Information Graphics, Toys and Games, and Design for Social Change. During the final year of the program, students will complete a Senior Project course and Portfolio. Sample projects include Designing a Business, Creative Computing for Interaction Experiences, and Differentiate or Die: How to Get a Job When You Graduate.

At the end of every academic year the Design Department hosts an Industry Review Day for graduating seniors. Designers, creative directors, and editors are invited to meet and network with students. the event is held in-person and virtually.

The MFA Design/Design as Entrepreneur covers branding, user experience, motion graphics, video, interaction, digital publishing, new media directing, and art book publishing. Because the program emphasizes leadership and entrepreneurship, other areas explored include business, marketing, networking, research, advertising, intellectual property, and ethnography. Course examples include Type for Masters, Writing and Designing the Visual Book, Designing and Branding, Intellectual Property and the Law, and Design Conception: Developing Your Venture. During the final year of the MFA program, students will complete a several seminars and the Thesis, which consists of six courses.

SVA Design alumni work for advertising agencies, marketing firms, publishing companies, design studios, nonprofit organizations, museums, and more. Some SVA alumni have even founded their own start-ups, studios, and design firms, while others have become partners in businesses and individual projects. To date, School of Visual Arts alumni have started more than 50 design studios around the world.

The School of Visual Arts (SVA) is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), and/or the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). The school opened as the Cartoonists and Illustrators School in 1947 with 35 students and three teachers. Today, the School of Visual Arts serves more than 4,000 students enrolled in more than 30 BFA, MA, MFA, and MPS programs.

The New School's Parsons School of Design houses the School of Art, Media, and Technology (AMT) which has a Communication Design Program with several degree pathways. The AAS in Communication Design is a campus-based 60 credit hour program with full-time and part-time schedules. Course examples for the program include Design History & Practice, Typography & Interaction, and Professional Practices & Portfolio. The Communication Design AAS program can be completed in just two years, full-time.  

The Parsons School of Design (Parsons) BFA in Communication Design is the oldest undergraduate program of its kind in the U.S. Consisting of 120 credits and STEM-designated, the program is offered on-campus, full-time. Studio course examples include Drawing/Imaging, Space/Materiality, and Time. Other courses include Design Studies, Interaction Lab, Objects as History, and Typography Lab. The Parsons BFA in Communication Design takes four years to complete.

Parsons has one option for graphic designers seeking an advanced degree. The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Communication Design, with a Concentration in Digital Product Design is a specialized program that emphasizes teamwork strategies and collaboration. This full-time, STEM-designated program consists of 30 credits taken over one year.

Students in all Parsons School of Design programs benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration, visiting artists, lectures, and AMT events, and access to Our Making Center, which consists of 600 workstations and facilities for animation, 3D prototyping, printmaking, and motion capture.

Graduates of the Parsons School of Design AAS and BFA programs work in brand and editorial design, type design, data visualization, digital product design, exhibition design, motion graphics, UX/UI design, and environmental and spatial graphics at creative agencies, tech companies, publishing companies, cultural institutions such as MoMA and the New York Times, digital design firms, and start-ups.

Graduates of the MPS program have gone on to pursue advanced degrees in areas such as Human-Computer-Interaction (HCI). Others are Interaction Designers, Product Managers, Digital Product Designers, and Entrepreneurs.

The New School is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), with Parsons included within the scope of MSCHE accreditation. The New School was founded in 1896 as The Chase School by American Impressionist William Merritt Chase. In 1904, Arts Educator Frank Alvah Parsons joined the school, later becoming its sole director. Between 1904 and 1910, Parsons launched three programs: Advertising, Costume Design, and Interior Decoration.

Today, as one institution known as The New School Parsons, this art and design college serves more than 5,000 students enrolled in 130 degree and diploma programs. Around 275 additional students attend Parsons Paris, which offers undergraduate, graduate, minor, and summer programs.

The School of Design at Pratt Institute (Pratt) launched in 2014. The school houses the Communications Design Program, which offers BFA and MFA degrees in Communications Design. Also offered in the School of Design are the Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) in Graphic Design, an AAS in Graphic Design/Illustration, and an MS in Packaging, Identities and Systems Design.

In addition to degree programs, Pratt Institute offers certificate programs in the School of Continuing Studies. Options for designers include Graphic Design, Digital Design, Branding & Digital Marketing, Digital Product Design, UX/UI Mobile Design, Human-Centered Design, and Motion Graphics.

The Communications Design BFA at Pratt Institute has three emphasis areas: Advertising Art Direction, Graphic Design, and Illustration. Course examples across programs include Image as Communication, Sketchbook Warehouse, Process and Production, Advertising, Emerging Practices, Typography, Illustration, Package Design, Special Topics: Publications, Freelancing & Business Illustration and Graphic Design, Typeface Design, and Sequential Art and Graphic Novel. Students in all emphasis areas may complete an internship at a field related professional site. Successful completion of the Senior Project is required to graduate.

The Graphic Design AOS and Graphic Design/Illustration AAS Programs are 66 credit hours each. The AOS is an intensive, career-track program with an all art and design curriculum. Designed for high school graduates and adults with or without a degree, the AOS includes capstone courses and internship opportunities. Course examples include Graphic Design I-II, Digital Design, Packaging Design I-II, Digital Media, Typography I-III, UI/UX Interactive Media I-II, and Advertising Design I-II. In just two years, AAS students will graduate with a professional portfolio of their best work, along with the skills needed to pursue immediate employment in graphic design, interactive media, advertising, package design, web design, illustration, game design, and publishing.

The AAS in Graphic Design/Illustration at Pratt Institute prepares students for transfer into the Fine Arts Department at Pratt Institute, the Communications Design BFA, or other school or related program of their choice. The program combines advanced art and design coursework with liberal studies. Course examples for the program include Light, Color and Design I-II, Material and 3 Dimensional Form, Illustration I-II, Themes in Art and Culture, Pre-Press and Print Production, History of Art and Design, Communication Design I-II, and UI/UX Interactive Media I.

The Communications Design MFA at Pratt Institute consists of 60 credit hours that may be completed in two years. Courses are taught by renowned professionals in the field. Students in the program will complete several studio courses, attend seminars, and complete a thesis and exhibition. Graduates of the program are prepared for academic careers, as well as leadership positions in identity systems and branding, user experience design, typography, information design, and environmental design, design strategy, print and digital media, social media and interaction design, and data visualization.

First offered in 1966, the MS in Packaging, Identities and Systems Design at Pratt consists of 48 credit hours, completed within two years. Course examples include Structural Packaging, Visual Perception, Cross-Platform Design, Packaging and the Retail Space, Sustainability and Design, Prototyping and Production, Packaging Design I-II, and Design Management. The Capstone Project is an end-of-degree course that results in a professional body of work.

Students in all programs and schools at Pratt Institute have the opportunity to enroll in one of more than 20 study abroad programs and international exchange programs in over a dozen locations such London, Milan,  Florence, Tokyo, and Copenhagen.

Pratt Institute is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Founded in 1887, Pratt serves 4,875 students across campuses in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Utica, New York. More than 50 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs are offered in six schools including Architecture, Art, Design, Information, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Continuing and Professional Studies.

ArtCenter College of Design (ArtCenter) has a Graphic Design (Gx) Program with BFA and MFA (MGx) options. Minors in Graphic Design, Product Design, and Interaction Design are also offered through the Designmatters program, which combines studio courses, immersive, real-world studios, and Humanities & Sciences courses.

The 132-unit ArtCenter BFA in Gx explores both traditional and emerging media. Students in the program will complete 87 studio units and the remainder in Humanities & Sciences. Courses are taught by professors with expertise in packaging, transmedia design, motion, visual interaction, and print. Course examples include Narrative Sketching, Communication Design: Information and Context, Visual Interaction Design, Transmedia, Identity Systems, Graphic Design History, and Business. During the final term, BFA students will complete Portfolio and Career Preparation.  

The ArtCenter College of Design MGx Program has two options: two-year and three-year. The two-year option consists of 75 units completed across four full terms, plus one ArtCenter Lite (ACL) summer term. Consisting of 86 units, the three-year option is for students who need to develop additional design skills in order to complete the graduate degree. This program consists of two additional terms. Upon successful completion of both terms, the student can enter the traditional graduate track.

Course examples across options include LinkedIn Learning, Typography 3, Design Research/Strategy, Graduate Visual Interaction Design, and Professional Leadership. MGx students will complete a number of labs, including the Portfolio Lab, and a thesis is required to graduate.

Students in all ArtCenter College of Design programs have the opportunity to intern, network, and interview with the school’s industry partners including Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Warner Bros., Meta (formerly Facebook), Apple, Ford, Mattel, Nike, Netflix, BMW, DreamWorks, Blizzard Entertainment, Walt Disney Imagineering, Riot Games, and Honda.

ArtCenter Graphic Design alumni work in branding and corporate identity, printing and poster design, package design, motion graphics, film title design, publication design, environmental graphic design, transmedia design, exhibition design, web design and development, interface ceding, visual interaction design, art direction, production management, information architecture, app design, and broadcast graphics.

Many ArtCenter graduates have been hired at Google, Meta, design and consulting firm IDEO, and Local Projects—a exhibition and media design firm for museums and public spaces.

ArtCenter College of Design is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Founded in 1930, ArtCenter serves more than 2,000 students across campuses in Pasadena and Los Angeles, California. The school also has satellite studios in Petersen Automotive Museum (Miracle Mile, Los Angeles) and Berlin, Germany.

ArtCenter College of Design offers 11 undergraduate programs, seven graduate degree program leading to an MFA or MS, a joint MS/MBA program, and undergraduate minors in Business, Creative Writing, Material Science, Research, and Social Innovation.

Ringling College of Art and Design (RCAD) has a Graphic Design Program that launched in 1980. Available pathways include a 120 credit hour BFA and a 15 credit hour Minor. Program features include an immersive, studio-based curriculum, visiting artists from major studios such as DreamWorks, internships opportunities, and the opportunity to work on real-world projects with local businesses and at The Design Center—RCAD’s in-house design firm.

Course examples across programs include Graphic Design I-VI, Development of Art & Ideas, Design & Typography, 3D Problem Solving, 4D Design, New Media UI/UX, Drawing & 2D Design, Visual Persuasion Designing with Type, and Literature and Media Studies.

Graduates of the Ringling College of Art and Design Graphic Design Program are prepared for careers in many different industries. Examples include Advertising Director, Visual Identity Art Director, Conceptual Designer, Packaging Designer, Logo Designer, Global Brand manager, Digital Image Artist, Editorial Designer, Licensing Production Artist, Motion Graphics Designer, UI/UX Designer, Book Designer, and Communications Director.

RCAD alumni have been hired by companies such as Saatchi & Saatchi X, Microsoft, Walt Disney Imagineering, Google, Nickelodeon, Wieden+Kennedy, Meta (formerly Facebook), Leo Burnett, BBC Studios, Walt Disney Imagineering, Instagram, and Arc Worldwide.

Ringling College of Art and Design is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). A private, not-for-profit college, RCAD has been around since 1931, when it was co-founded by circus baron, John Ringling. Serving nearly 1,700 students from 54 countries, 45 states, and four territories, Ringling College of Art and Design offers eleven majors leading to a BFA degree, two majors leading to a BA, and minor options in 10 areas.

California College of the Arts (CCA) has several options for designers seeking a degree at the undergraduate or graduate level. The BFA in Graphic Design provides access to a dedicated studio space, a Prototyping Studio, the Hybrid Lab, where students can explore virtual reality and other emerging technologies, and the Book Arts and Letterpress studio, which houses bookbinding equipment and lithography presses.

The CCA Graphic Design BFA begins with the First Year Experience where students explore a range of techniques, tools, and materials, and participate in studio projects and critiques. Course examples for this 120 credit hour program include Advanced Interactive, Typography 1-3, Graphic Design Tools, 2D, 3D, and, and Professional Practice Workshop. Students will complete an internship, and a Thesis is required to graduate.

At the graduate level, California College of the Arts offers an MFA in Design with a focus on Graphic, Interaction, and Industrial Design. Students have two options. The two-year option is designed for students with experience in one or more areas of design. The three-year option is for students with an undergraduate degree in an unrelated area. The first year of this program allows students to develop design skills in preparation for the traditional two-year curriculum.

While the CCA MFA in Design provides the opportunity to explore Graphic, Interaction, and Industrial Design, students may concentrate in either area. Course examples for the program include Contemporary Design practice, Expanded Tools, Business of Design, Scripting Graphics, The Studio 1 and 2, and Thesis Studio 1 and 2. Examples of electives include Digital type Design, Sound, Music & Technology, and Interaction Theory. Students in all CCA Design Programs benefit from the lecture series, workshops, visiting designers, the annual Headlands Center for the Arts Retreat, exhibitions for studio and year-end work, and access to the Materials Library.

Graduates of the Design Programs at California College of the Arts go on to become Graphic Designers, Project Managers, Product Designers, UI/UX Designers, Curators, Research and Development Technologists, Entrepreneurs, and Educators, among others.

Companies and organizations that have hired CCA graduates include Google, Apple, Meta (formerly Facebook), The New York Times, and Adobe, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, IDEO, and Headlands Center for the Arts, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

California College of the Arts is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), and the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). The school opened in 1907 as the School of the California Guild of Arts and Crafts. On the first day of class, CCA had just three teachers and 43 students. Today, California College of the Arts employs 420 faculty members that serve just over 1,600 students enrolled in more than 40 undergraduate, graduate, minors, and dual degree options.

The Visual Communication Design (VCD) Department at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has undergraduate, graduate, and certificate options for students interested in graphic design.

The VCD Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Studio is a one-year, 30-credit program consisting of art history courses, seminars, and studio seminars. Upon completion of the Certificate Program, students may enter the MFA in Studio Program.

The 60 credit hour MFA in Studio is an interdisciplinary pathway that allows students to explore other SAIC departments such as Film, Video, New Media, and Animation (FVNMA), Designed Objects, Intermedia, Writing, Architecture, Photography, and Interior Architecture. Besides interdisciplinary studies, a major component of the MFA in Studio is the opportunity to complete a graduate project every semester.

Students will work one-on-one with a faculty member and they may sign up with artists, writers, and other academics from other SAIC departments. Graduate seminars, such as Form-Configuration-Content and Narrative Architectures, are also part of the program. Successful completion of a thesis is required to graduate.

The BFA in Studio with a Concentration in VCD focuses on physical media (environments, objects and print) and virtual media (interactive and time-based media). Course examples for the program include Image Studio, Identity Systems, Advanced Typography, 4D Design: Manipulating Media, Envisioning Information, Dynamic Information Visualization, Electronic Publications, UI/UX Responsive Web Design, Package Design, and Advanced Motion Graphics.

VCD BFA students are encouraged to complete a Career and Professional Experience (CAPX) internship and participate in the Fall or Spring Exhibition, and the year-end Visual Communication Design Show. Graduates will leave the SAIC VCD Program with a professional portfolio of their best work.

Students in all SAIC Design Programs have access to the VCD AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) chapter, which hosts local visiting designers, tours of Chicago studios, the annual Town Hall AIGA event, and a biannual portfolio preparation seminar. The VCD Department also offers the opportunity for students to  participate in juror-led student workshops, entry jurying, and jurors’ lectures through the Chicago International Poster Biennial (CIPB).

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). SAIC has also been accredited as a charter member by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) since 1948. Founded in 1866, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest accredited independent schools of art and design in the country. Serving more than 3,500 students, SAIC offers more than 50 areas of study in 24 academic departments.

The College of Fine Arts and Communications at Brigham Young University (BYU) houses the Department of Design, which offers a BFA in Graphic Design. An Online Graphic Design Fundamentals Certificate is available through BYU-Idaho and BYU-Pathway Worldwide.

The BFA is a limited enrollment program of 40 students. Students must complete 120 credit hours to graduate, including 72.5-73.5 in the major. Course examples include Branding, 3-Dimensional Design, Interaction Design, Design Lab, Typography, Design Thinking, Motion, Bookbinding, Letterpress Studio, and Illustration Fundamentals. Graphic Design BFA students are encouraged to complete a professional internship after their Junior year in the program.

The BYU Graphic Design Fundamentals Certificate is a 15 credit hour program that explores conceptual design, typography, and visual design. Building into the BAS in Professional Studies degree, the Certificate Program consists of 15 credit hours. Courses include Introduction to Graphic Design, Graphic Design, Creating Online Media, Typography, and User Experience Design. Potential careers for graduates of the BYU Graphic Design Fundamentals Certificate Program include Junior Graphic Designer, Marketing Production Artist, Design Assistant, and Junior Production Artist.

Graduates of the Brigham Young University Graphic Design BFA Program work in design-related disciplines such as experience and service design, branding and product design, publishing and interaction design, and web design and mobile app development, motion graphics, and data visualization. They work at advertising agencies, traditional design studios, and interactive agencies or on internal teams at a variety of businesses, corporations, and organizations. Some graduates go on to establish successful freelance careers or launch their own design studios.

Brigham Young University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The school was founded in 1875 as Brigham Young Academy (BYA) by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Brigham Young. With nearly 35,000 students enrolled in close to 400 degree programs and minors, BYU is the one of the largest private universities in the U.S.

The Communication Department at Otis College of Art and Design (OTIS) offers a BFA in Communication Arts with an Emphasis in Graphic Design and an MFA in Graphic Design. A 16 credit hour Minor in Advertising Design is available, as well as a 16-course Graphic Design Certificate through OTIS College Extension.  

The BFA Program emphasizes collaboration, cross-disciplinary studies, craft, and presentation skills. Formats covered include package design, apps, branding and logo development, websites, interactive design, books, and posters. Students will learn about UX/UI design, printmaking and traditional letterpress, storyboarding, typography and type design, and motion sequences design.

Course examples for the OTIS Graphic Design BFA Program include History of Graphic Design, Illustration, and Advertising Design Type and Alternative Media, Systems and Identity Design, Advanced Image Making Projects, Creative Action Studio, and Creative Practices. Students may add the Advertising Minor to enhance the degree.

During the final year of the Graphic Design Program, students will complete the Senior Thesis/Research Paper course, Senior Project/Seminar, and  a Capstone Project.

The OTIS Graphic Design MFA features an accelerated curriculum running four consecutive semesters over 14 months. The program, which typically begins in the summer semester, consists of courses in history and design theory, studio projects, round table discussions, and workshops led by visiting artists and designers. Course examples for the program include Models of Practice, Seminar Studio I-IV, Contemporary Graphic Design Issues, and Entrepreneurship.

Graduates of the BFA and MFA Programs at OTIS College of Art and Design have been hired at Amazon, Capitol Records, Apple, Ogilvy Worldwide, Google, GUESS, Anthropologie, Disney Consumer Products, Young & Rubicam, Deutsch Inc., L.A., Hallmark, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Interscope Records, Metro, Conde Nast Publications, Gehry Partners, the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SciArc), and WB Network, among others.

Otis College of Art and Design is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The school is also a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD). Founded in 1918, OTIS is Los Angeles’ oldest professional school of the arts. Serving more than 1,200 students, the school offers 11 BFA degree programs and MFA degrees in Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Public Practice, and Writing. A variety of minors and certificate programs are also available. Programs and courses at Otis College of Art and Design are led by more than 430 professors—all active professionals in their respective fields.

Full Sail University has a Graphic Design BS Program that may be completed in 20 months on-campus or 29 months online. Program features for both tracks include a project-based curriculum, hands-on experience with entertainment and media companies, seven project and portfolio courses, several Professional Development Seminars, and a four credit hour Career Readiness course. Other course examples include Creating Brand Experience, Interactive Editorial Design, Typography and Page Layout, Technology in the Entertainment and Media Industries, Logos and Symbols, and Digital Publishing, Graphic Design BS graduates are prepared to pursue positions at advertising agencies, marketing firms, and public relations firms, magazines and book publishers, web design companies, design studios, and more. Some graduates go on to pursue an advanced degree such as Full Sail University’s Media Design MFA.

Offered 100% online, the Full Sail MFA Program explores client communications, motivational theories, team dynamics, and research. Course examples include Organizational Structures, Defining Client Needs, Design Strategies and Motivation, Design Research, and Measuring Design Effectiveness. Courses are five credit hours each and the MFA Program takes just 12 months to complete, full-time.

Full Sail University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). The school opened in 1979 in Dayton, Ohio. Today, Full Sail is located just 35 minutes from downtown Orlando and Universal Studios. Serving approximately 21,000 students, Full Sail University offers degree programs and graduate certificates in the Arts, Entertainment, Media, and Technology.

Syracuse University (SU) houses the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA), home to the School of Design and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. A BFA in Communications Design is offered in the VPA School of Design, and a Bachelor’s in Graphic Design is available in the Newhouse School-Visual Communications Department.

Students in the BFA in Communications Design Program benefit from individual and group collaborations, projects covering everything from advertising to web and social media, internship opportunities with local and national companies, and the opportunity to study abroad in London through Syracuse Study Abroad. Course examples for this 120 credit hour program include Digital Tools for Designers, Communication Design Problems, Design Skills & Processes, Design Project management, Studio 1: Practices of Academic Writing, and Studio 2: Critical Research Writing.

During the final year of the VPA Communications Design Program, students will complete the Portfolio & Practice course. Final portfolios will be displayed at the annual two-day Senior Portfolio Show in New York City. Graduates of the program work at top firms across the country as Designer, Creative Directors, and more.

The Newhouse School Bachelor’s in Graphic Design explores design as it relates to digital, web, print, and video. Course examples include Typographic Graphic Design, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, and Introduction to Graphic Design. A major component of the program is the Fall Workshop. Established in 1999, the Workshop hosts industry professionals from around the world that serve as mentors for student projects. The Newhouse School Graphic Design Bachelor’s Degree Program prepares students for creative careers advertising, branding, publishing, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), UI/UX, and web design, among others.

Graduates of the Syracuse University Newhouse Graphic Design Program have been recruited by Google, The Washington Post, Amazon, and many others. Some program alumni have gone on to launch their own creative agencies and studios.

Syracuse University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Founded in 1870, the school serves around 21,330 students from all 50 states and 120 countries. More than 200 majors and minors, and 200 advanced degree programs, are offered across SU’s 13 colleges and schools. In addition to campuses in Syracuse, and Manhattan, New York, Washington DC, and Los Angeles, Syracuse University operates overseas centers in France, Italy, London, Poland, Chile, and Spain.

The School of Visual Arts (SVA) at Boston University (BU) has a Graphic Design Program with BFA, MFA, and Certificate options. Housed in the College of Fine Arts, SVA is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Established in 1954, the School provides immersive studio experiences, internship opportunities, workshops, seminars, unique electives, and  minors that complement any design program. All Graphic Design students also have access to state-of-the-art facilities such as the Engineering Production Innovation Center (EPIC), the Visual Arts Resource Library, Darkrooms, Computer Labs, and the Media Center. Graduate students have 24/7 access to individual private studios.

The BU Graphic Design Certificate Program is designed for students with a bachelor’s degree with little to no experience in graphic design. This one-year, intensive program requires 30 credit hours of study including core studios, typography, and electives. Graduates of this program are prepared for positions in the industry or for entry into the Graphic Design MFA Program.

Consisting of 60 credit hours, the MFA Program hosts visiting artists and designers, workshops, and  group critiques. Through BU’s partnership with AIGA Boston, MFA students have opportunities to network with industry leaders through campus events and visits to area studios. Of the 60 required credit hours, 32 are in Graduate Graphic Design courses. Other requirements include Graphic Design Theory I-II, History of Graphic Design, and Graduate Typography. Twelve required elective credit hours allow students to explore additional areas within and outside of design.

In the Boston University Graphic Design BFA Program, students have the opportunity to specialize in an area of interested through electives. Examples include Exhibition Design, Design for the Web, Editorial Design, Motion Graphics, Interactive Design, and Experience Design. Consisting of 132 credit hours, the BFA curriculum is cross-disciplinary with course options from the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences, Innovate@BU, Hariri Institute for Computing, the College of Communication, and Questrom School of Business.

Other BU BFA Program benefits include partnerships with area design studios and businesses that lead to internships and employment and the study abroad program in Venice, Italy. Past students have also participated in a two-week design intensive in Amsterdam and a two-week Printmaking workshop at the Franz Masareel Centrum in Kasterlee, Belgium.

Graduates of the Boston University Graphic Design Programs have held positions at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO), Converse, and Free People, to name a few. Some program alumni have launched their own design studios or creative firms, while others have found success as freelance designers.

Boston University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). With more than 300 programs of study offered in 22 colleges, divisions, and schools, BU serves close to 33,680 students across a 175-acre campus that houses close to 3,000 buildings, laboratories, classrooms, and libraries. With 10,000 faculty and staff, BU is Boston’s largest employer. While Boston University can be traced back to 1839, where it began as the Newbury Biblical Institute, the school was officially chartered in 1869.

Columbia College Chicago (Columbia or Columbia College) houses the School of Fine and Performing Arts, which offers BA, second BA, and BFA degrees in Graphic Design. A 21 credit our Graphic Design Minor is also available. This program explores graphic design, typography, visual culture, and website design.

The second BA degree program is designed for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in another area. Students in the traditional BA Program may choose a concentration and a minor or double major. Concentration options include Web Design and Publication Design. Minors that complement the program include Creative Advertising, Design Management, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Motion Graphics, Photography, and User Experience.

Majors that complement the BA Program include Advertising, Arts Management, Communication, Computer Animation, Illustration, Immersive Media, Interaction Design, Marketing, Public Relations, and Social Media and Digital Strategy.

The Columbia College Graphic Design BFA allows students to study in multiple areas of art and design. Course examples for the program include Design Lab, Design Thinking, Experimental Typography, Graphic Design I-V (various topics), Letterpress Studio, Motion Graphics, Photo Communication, Publication Design, and Website Design.

Both the BA and BFA programs begin with foundations courses and cover design programs such as Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. All Graphic Design students have opportunities to complete an internship. Past placements include Leo Burnett, 50000feet Creative Agency, Foot, Cone & Belding, and Pivot Design. The programs culminate with the production of a professional portfolio of the student’s best work.

Graduates of the Graphic Design Programs at Columbia College work as designers, creative directors, and brand designers at startups, design firms, ad agencies, nonprofits, and major corporations. Examples include Cards Against Humanity, Google, Fjord (part of Accenture Interactive), Leo Burnett, Modern Luxury, One Design Company, and Time Zone One.

Columbia College Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Founded in 1890 as the Columbia School of Oratory, Columbia serves 7,000 students enrolled in more than 150 majors, minors, and graduate programs. In addition to offering programs in creative areas such as communication and writing, media and digital, and music and sound, Columbia offers business management programs.

The College of Arts & Sciences at Baylor University (Baylor) is the school’s largest academic division. Established in 1919, the College consists of 25 academic departments (including the Department of Art and Art History), and eight academic centers and institutes. Housed in the Lewis Art Building, the Department of Art and Art History houses smart classrooms, computer labs for graphic design and photography, darkrooms, and state-of-the-art studios drawing, painting, printmaking, and more. Students in the Baylor Studio Art BFA Program have access to all Department facilities.

The Studio BFA offers an emphasis in Graphic Design that consists of 66 hours in Studio Art, 15 hours in Art History, and 50-51 hours in Liberal Arts. Course examples for the program include Digital Media for Graphic Design, Publication Design, Illustration, Studio Topics in Graphic Design, Typography and Conceptual Development, Package Design, Identity Design, Web Design, Internship in Studio Art and Portfolio Preparation. In the Portfolio course, students will develop a final Graphic Design Portfolio. Portfolio Preparation also covers interviewing, presentation skills, and job search strategies.

Graduates of the Baylor University Studio Art BFA work for advertising agencies, publishing firms, creative agencies and design studios, publishers, newspapers and magazines, public relations firms, marketing companies, web design firms, and museums, among others

Baylor University is accredited by the by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Chartered in 1845, the school is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Serving close to 20,630 students, Baylor provides more than 250 degree programs across 12 academic divisions.

The School of Professional Advancement (SoPA) at Tulane University (Tulane) has BA and Post-Baccalaureate (PABC) Certificate Programs in Digital Design with Concentrations in Graphic Design and Interactive UX/UI Design. The BA in Digital Design consists of 42 major hours, 18 elective hours, and 60 hours in general requirements. The Digital Design PABC requires 30 major hours and an additional UX/UI Design Concentration.

Course examples across programs include Typography Studio, Intro to UX Design, Letterpress Studio, Poster Design, Packaging Design, Interactive Technologies, Motion Design Studio, Social Media Studio, Designer as Author, Digital Illustration, SEO SEM, and Portfolio & Professional Practices.

Worth three credits, Portfolio & Professional Practices is a studio course that prepares students for entry into the workforce through mock interviews, portfolio reworking, personal branding, and developing presentation techniques.

Other program highlights include 16 flexible elective credits, the option to study in other tracks, and access to symposiums, social events, professional conferences, and internship opportunities.

Graduates of the Tulane University Digital Design Program work in-house for specific brands or companies, and in advertising, book publishing, marketing, app design, web design, public relations, entertainment, museums, and magazines and newspapers, among others. Job titles include Creative Director, Publication Designer, Packaging Designer, Brand Manager, Front-End Web Developer, Type Designer, Art Director, Illustrator, Print Designer, and Environmental Designer.

Tulane University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Founded in 1834, Tulane was the first major research institution to require public service for graduation. Serving more than 14,500 students, Tulane University offers more than 275 programs in 10 colleges and schools.

The Graphic Design BFA Program at Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) explores print, marketing, and advertising design, editorial and publication design, event and exhibition design, interactive and motion graphics, web design, packaging design, signage, and production. Students will also explore print and conventional and experimental media forms.

Course examples include Graphic Design: Advanced Studio, Contemporary Marketing + Art Direction, and Design for Communication. The CIA Graphic Design Program culminates with the Graphic Design BFA Thesis and Graphic Design: BFA Statement + Exhibition.

Potential job titles for graduates of the Graphic Design Program at Cleveland Institute of include, but are not limited to Book Designer, Art Advertising Designer, Magazine Designer, Art Director, Designer + Founder, Film Director + Writer, and Associate Partner.

Cleveland Institute of Art is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Chartered as the Western Reserve School of Design for Women in 1882, this independent, not-for-profit college serves around 600 students enrolled in 15 programs of study.

The College of Fine Arts at Texas Christian University (TCU or Texas Christian) houses the Department of Design, which offers a BFA in Graphic Design. A major component of the program is the internship requirement during the third year of study. The TCU Design Internship provides the opportunity for students to work at design studios or ad agencies in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, anywhere in the U.S., and overseas. Texas Christian Design students have completed internships in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Austin, Houston, St. Louis, Kansas City, Peru, Taiwan, England, and Panama, among others. Many Design students receive offers to remain with the studio or agency part-time during their senior year, while others are recruited for full-time positions.

Consisting of 124 credit hours, the TCU Graphic Design BFA Program explores advertising, packaging, branding and corporate identity, web and interactive media, typography, and publications. Students will complete 51 credit hours in Graphic Design. Course examples include Corporate Identity, Advertising Design, Computer Applications to Graphic Design, Package Design, Publication Design, Advanced Design Practices, and Typography. Students will also complete Portfolio and Marketing, the Senior Thesis in Visual Communication, and The Digital Portfolio.

Graduates of the Texas Christian University Graphic Design Program have enjoyed a prefect 100% over the past four years. Program alumni are Creative Designers and Art Directors at ad agencies and design studios in just about every major city in Texas, across the U.S., and abroad. Examples include New York, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle, London, Peru, Germany, Guatemala, Panama, and Nicaragua.

Texas Christian University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Established in 1873 as one of the Southwest’s earliest coed universities, TCU serves nearly 12,000 students enrolled in more than 200 degree programs in 10 colleges and schools.

The University of Miami (UM) houses the College of Arts and Sciences, home to the Department of Art and Art History, which offers a BFA with a Concentration in Graphic Design and Multimedia. Part of the Electronic Media Area, the Graphic Design and Multimedia BFA is multidisciplinary program that provides access to studios, computer labs, drawing classrooms, and exhibition spaces. Course examples for the program include 2D and 3D Design, Color Digital Photography, Drawing, Graphic Design I-III, Introduction to Electronic Media, Experimental Illustration for Print and Interactive Media, Multimedia I-III, and Typography.

Also part of the program is the Seminar in Professional Practices, which requires placement in a professional design or multimedia setting. Student may also enroll in the UM Internship (UMI) Program, which allows students to obtain real-world work experience at a design studio or creative agency in the Miami/Broward area. The Graphic Design and Multimedia Program at the University of Miami culminates with a professional portfolio and exhibition. Potential job titles for graduates of the program include Art Director, Graphic Designer, Multimedia Artist, Packaging Designer, 3D Artist, Computer Graphic Designer, Web Designer, Media Specialist, Brand Manager, Exhibit Designer, Digital Artist, Layout Designer, Multimedia Producer, Illustrator, User Experience Designer, Concept Artist, and Digital Media Designer, among others.

The University of Miami is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Founded in 1925, this private research university opened in 1926 with 646 full-time students enrolled in programs across the College of Liberal Arts, the School of Music, and the Evening Division. Today, University of Miami serves more than 17,000 students enrolled in nearly 350 majors and programs across 12 colleges and schools.

The Graphic Design Program at Southern New Hampshire University can be completed entirely online, with no set class meetings and 24/7 access to course materials. Leading to a BA, the program has two 12 credit hour concentration options: 3D Modeling and Animation and Web Design. Students in both programs will develop design skills in digital media, brand identity, and design thinking. They will also develop practical, professional, and business skills.

Consisting of 120 credit hours, the SNHU Graphic Design Program requires 42 general education credits (including Digital Photography), nine in arts and sciences, 33 in the major, and 36 in free electives. Course examples include Graphics and Layout in Print Media, Advanced Digital Graphic Design for the Web, Media Communication and Visual Literacy, Typography, Public Speaking and Presentation Skills, Desktop Publishing, and Applied Statistics for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Required courses for the 3D Modeling and Animation Concentration includes Intro to Digital Sculpting, 3D Modeling and Animation, Interactive Animation, and 3D Character Animation. Students in the Web Design Concentration will take Digital Publishing, User Interface and Experience, Advanced Multiplatform Design, and , Interactive Animation for the Web.

The SNHU Graphic Design BA Program culminates with the Graphic Design Portfolio course, where students will create digital and print portfolios, develop a personal brand identity, engage in critiques, and showcase their work.

Graduates of the Southern New Hampshire University Graphic Design Program are prepared to pursue positions in Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations, among others.

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Founded in 1932 as New Hampshire Accounting and Secretarial School, SNHU opened in a two-room storefront with less than 50 students enrolled in accounting, bookkeeping, and secretarial courses.

Today, SNHU operates across a 300-acre campus that serves more than 3,000 residential students, and over 135,000 online students, making it one of the country’s fastest growing universities. Students at Southern New Hampshire University have access to more than 200 career-focused programs leading to associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees.

The BFA in Graphic Design + Digital Media (GD+DM) at Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) is a multidisciplinary program that explores traditional and emerging areas such as 3D, iPad development, motion, advertising, print, packaging, action sport design, video, and web design. Students in the program have the option to choose an emphasis such Illustration or Action Sport Design.

Other program features include small class sizes, courses taught by industry professionals, hands-on design projects, access to  advanced software applications, equipment, and facilities, mentorships, internships, and partnerships with companies such as Sony Music.

LCAD also offers a GD-DM Minor that can be taken alone or added to a related program. Consisting of six entry-level courses, the Minor provides a foundation in Graphic Design and Digital Media and related software applications. Course examples include Graphic Design 1, Typography 1, Fundamentals of Digital Imaging 1: Photoshop and Fundamentals of Digital Imaging 2: Illustrator.

Graduates of the LCAD GD+DM Program work with top companies and organizations such as Saatchi & Saatchi, Vans, Razorfish, United Nations, Warner Bros., Apple, Sony Pictures, IKEA, Taco Bell, Red Bull, Nike, Amazon, Capitol Records, Pixar, Sony Music, Lexus, Fox Entertainment, Maserati, Billabong, R/GA, Meta (formerly Facebook), Disney Interactive, Live Nation, Coca-Cola, Hurley, and AT&T Entertainment.

Laguna College of Art and Design is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Founded in 1961, LCAD serves close to 750 students enrolled in dozens of degree and minor programs. In addition to the Laguna Beach campus, Laguna College of Art and Design has educational affiliates locally and around the world including NHTV Breda University of Applied Sciences (NHTV), The Netherlands; Florence Academy of Arts, Italy; and Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art, California.

The School of Architecture & Design at New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) houses the Department of Digital Art and Design, which has BFA and MFA options in Graphic Design. In the BFA Program, students will master industry tools and software such as such as Adobe Creative Cloud, laser cutters, and 3D printers. Consisting of 120 credit hours and offered at the New York And Long Island campuses, the program explores areas such as advertising, web and interactive design, branding, packaging, information graphics, logos, illustration, typography, experience design, motion graphics, and editorial.

Students in the NYIT Graphic Design BFA Program will have the opportunity to gain experience through individual and collaborative projects, and internships with design studios and local advertising agencies. In the portfolio course, taken during the final year of the program, students will develop a professional portfolio of their best work. 

Graduates of the New York Institute of Technology Graphic Design Program are Art Directors, Package Designers, Production Artists, Illustrators, Brand Developers, Graphic Designers, Motion Graphics Designers, and Interactive/Web Designers, to name a few. They work for the NBA, Panasonic, WarnerMedia, Penguin Random House, Nickelodeon, and Magic Visual Productions, among others.

The MFA in Digital Art & Design with a Graphic Design Concentration is offered at the NYIT NYC campus only. This 60 credit hour program explores user experience design, print, art and technology, type and layout, and business. The program allows 12 elective credits, which provide the opportunity for students to focus in an area of interest. Students will complete the Graduate Academic Internship and three thesis courses: Thesis I-II, and Thesis Paper and Exhibition.

Graduates of the New York Institute of Technology MFA Program are UI/UX Designers, Senior Graphic Designers, Creative Directors, and Motion Graphics Designers. They work at places such as Mission Graphics, Beatworks, Topix Media Lab, Design Language, and TAG Creative.

Students in all NYIT Design Programs have access to the HIVE (Home for Innovation, Visualization, and Exploration), which has partnerships with local organizations such Metropolitan Museum of Art (Media Lab), Lincoln Square Business Improvement District, and the Viscardi Center. At the HIVE students can work on collaborative projects, participate in workshops and presentations, and connect with all NYIT digital art locations in NYC, Long Island, and Beijing.

 New York Institute of Technology is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSACS). Founded in 1955, New York Institute of Technology serves more 8,000 students across campuses in New York City and Long Island; Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Vancouver, Canada. NYIT offers more than 90 degree programs in six colleges and schools.

The Graphic Design Program at Loyola University of New Orleans is part of the College of Music and Media’s School of Communication & Design, Department of Design. Housed in the newly renovated Monroe Hall with fully equipped state-of-the-art labs and darkrooms, the Department of Design has its own AIGA chapter which hosts guest artists and fundraising events. The Department also offers internship opportunities at places such as the New Orleans Museum of Art and Peter Mayer Advertising, and study abroad experiences in the UK, Italy, France, New Zealand, and Morocco.

Program options for Graphic Designers include a 120 credit hour Graphic Design BDes and a 21 credit hour Design Minor. Both programs explore typography, design history and theory, print, and narrative. Upper division BDes coursework covers topics such as publication design, motion graphics, interactive design, and type design. Course examples across programs include Design History 1-2, Typography Lab 1-2, Print Design & Narrative, Interactive Design & Narrative 1-2, Motion Design & Narrative 1, Design Topics, Business of Design, Social/Political Design, and Illustration Design. GDes students will complete a Design Internship and Design Capstone course.

Graduates of the Design Programs at Loyola University New Orleans are prepared for graduate study, teaching positions, and positions such as Graphic Designer, Creative Director, Package Designer, Motion Graphics Designer, Publications Designer, Web Designer, Book Designer, UI/UX Designer, Brand Manager, and Exhibition Designer, among others.

Loyola University New Orleans is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Established in 1904, Loyola University New Orleans is a private, Jesuit university that serves around 4,550 students enrolled in nearly 150 programs in five colleges and through Loyola Online.

George Fox University housed the Department of Art and Design, which has five major programs and Minors in Art, Art History, and Graphic Design. Leading to a BA, the George Fox Graphic Design Program features faculty mentors, the coveted project-based course Creative Suite, participation in community-based events such as art retreats on the Oregon Coast, participation in ArtTalk (weekly visiting artist series), guaranteed internships with companies such as Nike, and access to AIGA.

The George Fox Graphic Design Programs explore branding and identity systems, web design, print and packaging, and UI/UX design. Specific course examples across programs include Art and Professional Networking Seminar, Design in Practice, Experience Design, Systems, Identity, and Branding, Collaborative Design, UI/UX Design, Print and Packaging, Creative Suite, and Web Design. The 18 credit hour Graphic Design Core is project-driven and covers the top applications used in the industry.

In the third year of the program, students will complete the Junior Portfolio Review. The program culminates with the Senior Capstone Research Defense.

Graduates of the George Fox Graphic Design Program are prepared to pursue positions in book publishing, entertainment, newspaper and magazine publishing, advertising, marketing, and public relations, among other areas. Around 92% of George Fox University alumni are employed, attending graduate school or volunteering within 12 months of graduation.

George Fox University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Founded in 1891, this nonprofit Christian institution serves 4,295 students enrolled in more than 80 degree programs. George Fox University operates across four Oregon campuses in Newberg (main), Portland, Salem, and Redmond.  

The College of Arts & Cultural Studies at Oral Roberts University (ORU) houses a Graphic Design Program that follows the guidelines established by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).  Leading to a BFA in Art with a Graphic Design Specialization, the program covers core areas such as Drawing, Fundamentals and Art History, Motion Design, Typography, Digital Photography, Web Design, and Graphic Design. ORU BFA students will also complete an internship, senior project, and a final portfolio of their best work.

Graduates of the Oral Roberts University Graphic Design Program are prepared to pursue positions in Advertising, Brand Design, Graphic Design, Packaging Design, Book Design, Photography, Creative Direction, Public Relations, Marketing, User Experience Design, News and Magazine Layout, Animation, Web Design, and Education.

Oral Roberts University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The school was founded in 1963 by Christian Televangelist Granville Oral Roberts. Serving nearly 4,800 students, ORU offers more than 125 programs in the Colleges of Arts and Cultural Studies, Business, Education, Health Sciences, Science and Engineering, and Theology and Ministry.

The Graphic Design Program at Willamette University is housed in Pacific Northwest College of Art (PCNA). Leading to a BFA, the program emphasizes hands-on learning, and both collaborative and independent projects that students will work on in state-of-the-art printmaking studios, the Wacom Lab, and other facilities. BFA students may also participate in PNCA’s Design Lecture Series, which attracts guest artists and designers from around the world. Launched in 2016, the series is a collaboration between PNCA, the Graphic Design Program, and Portland-based FISK Studio.

The Willamette University/PNCA Graphic Design Program requires 120-121 credit hours of study. Course examples for the program include Time Arts, Visual Elements 2D, Typography, Interactive Media, Production, Marketing & Branding, Motion Graphics, Design Studio II: Culture & Audience, Graphic Design Advanced Studio: Vision, and Research for Creative Practice. Suggested electives include Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VT), Interface and Structure, Printmaking, and Environment and Experience.

In the final year of the program, students will have the option to complete the Graphic Design Internship or the Center for Design course. The PNCA Graphic Design BFA culminates with a Design Arts Thesis and Portfolio. Graduates have go on to establish successful careers at places such as Nike, Wieden+Kennedy, Microsoft, Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA), and NBC News Digital. Some program alumni have launched their own freelance businesses or design studios where they have worked with clients such as Uniqlo, XBOX, Lexus, AT&T, IBM, Starbucks, Google, Legoland, and Coca-Cola, among others.

Willamette University and Pacific Northwest College of Art are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). PNCA is also a member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design (AICAD) and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU).

Willamette University was established in 1842, making it the oldest university in the West. This liberal arts college serves close to 1,900 students enrolled in dozens of programs across the Colleges of Arts & Sciences and Law, Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA), and the Atkinson Graduate School of Management. Willamette University and PNCA merged in 2021.

Established in 1909, PNCA is an independent college within Willamette University. The school serves around 650 students enrolled in 11 BFA degrees and eight minors. Eight graduate MA and MFA degrees are offered within the PNCA Hallie Ford School of Graduate Studies.