Top 50 Public Graphic Design Schools and Colleges in the U.S. – 2026 College Rankings

North Carolina State University (NC State) houses the College of Design, home to the Graphic and Experience Design program. Degrees include the Bachelor of Graphic and Experience Design (BGXD) and Master of Graphic and Experience Design (MGXD). Recognized by the AIGA and considered one of the nation’s top NASAD-accredited programs, the BGXD focuses on typography, user research, digital prototyping, and service design. The MGXD is one of the few STEM-designated graphic design graduate programs in the U.S. Across programs, students have opportunities to complete an internship and study abroad in places such as Greece and Prague. Graduates have secured positions at places such as IDEO, Red Hat, IBM, Pentagram, Lenovo, R/GA, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), and Adobe. 

The School of Art and Art History at the University of Florida (UF) houses the Graphic Design BFA, Design and Visual Communications MFA (MxD), and Graphic Design minor programs. Program features include access to state-of-the-art studios and labs, including the MxD lab; opportunities to work on projects with major companies; professional internships; and study abroad experiences in places such as Spain, Italy, and the UK. In addition to launching their own studios, UF Design graduates have secured positions with the Miami Heat and at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Microsoft, Disney, Apple, IBM, IDEO, Google, R/GA, Interbrand (a division of Omnicom Group), Viacom, Gensler, Kate Spade, and Verizon. 

The School of Art and Design at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) provides two paths to study graphic design. Options include an interdisciplinary Graphic Design BFA (GD BFA) and a Design for Responsible Innovation MFA. The GD BFA program explores areas such as user experience (UX), image making, and typography. The Design for Responsible Innovation MFA (formerly Graphic Design) focuses on visual analytics, interaction, systems and service design, narrative, and graphic design. UIUC Design graduates have been hired at places such as Lockheed Martin, Disney, Boeing, Nike, Apple, IBM, Microsoft, Intel, Google, Ford, Pfizer, Walmart, Capgemini, Target, and Argonne National Laboratory. 

The School of Art + Art History + Design at the University of Washington (UW) houses the Division of Design. Within the division is a Visual Communication Design (VCD) BDes that focuses on areas such as interface design, advanced typography, motion design, branding, visual storytelling, information design, and publication design. The competitive BDes program admits just 60 students annually across the VCD, Interaction Design (IxD), and Industrial Design (ID) majors. Graduates go on to pursue the MDes at UW or establish careers at places such as Microsoft, Boeing, Deloitte Digital, Amazon, Nike, Google, Apple, Whitney Museum of American Art (the Whitney), REI, TikTok, Alaska Airlines, Starbucks, and T-Mobile.

The School of the Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) houses the Department of Graphic Design (GD). Within the department are the Graphic Design BFA (GD BFA) and a Design MFA program. The NASAD-accredited MFA has a Visual Communications concentration. Across programs, students have access to the campus-based Creative Print Bureau (CPB) and Middle of Broad (mOb studio). Both provide opportunities to participate in community and government ventures, workshops, and print production projects. Graduates work at places such as Google, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA), Apple, Disney, BBDO, Amazon, Pentagram, The New York Times, Spotify, Nike, and Wieden+Kennedy. 

The Department of Design at The Ohio State University (OSU) has a Visual Communication Design (VCD) BDes program that accepts small cohorts of just 18—20 students per year. A Design Thinking minor (DSGNTHK-MN) is also available as well as a Design MFA with interdisciplinary tracks in Design Research and Development (DRD) and Digital Animation and Interactive Media (DAIM). A Visual Arts MFA with an Art and Technology concentration is offered through the Department of Arts. Graduate students enjoy 24/7 access to private and semi-private studios. All students benefit from internship opportunities; portfolio development courses; and participation in Design Week in Milan, Italy. OSU Design and Visual Arts graduates have landed positions at places such as Microsoft, Amazon, Google, P&G, Apple, Deloitte, NBCUniversal, American Greetings, IBM iX, Abercrombie & Fitch, Nationwide, and Scotts Miracle-Gro. 

The School of Art and Design at San Diego State University (SDSU) provides several paths to study graphic design. Options include a BA in Interactive Media and Graphic Design; a BA in Integrated Design; an Art MFA with a Graphic Design emphasis; and certificates in Graphic Design and Digital Arts. SDSU and ed2go have partnered to provide additional certificates in Graphic Design with Photoshop and Illustrator, and Multimedia Arts. All degree-seeking students benefit from the visiting lecture series; AIGA membership; access to digital imaging, video, and interactive media labs; and studios for book arts, letterpress, printmaking, and more. SDSU Design graduates can be found at places such as Google, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Amazon, Disney, Microsoft, Apple, Qualcomm, IBM, Intuit, and FASTSIGNS International. 

The Jordan Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design at Portland State University (PSU) recently launched a new 100,000-square-foot facility designed by LEVER Architecture. The facility houses the Graphic Design BFA and minor programs; dedicated galleries, production labs, and technology-enabled teaching spaces; and a dedicated studio space for residencies. Students have the opportunity to work with real clients through the Advertising Minor for Graphic Design Majors program; the Creative Strategy and Advertising Campaigns courses; and the on-campus advertising agency Student Work @ PSU. Graduates work at places such as Nike, Google, Columbia Sportswear, Microsoft, Adidas, IDEO, Nordstrom, Wieden+Kennedy, Apple, R/GA, Interbrand (a division of Omnicom Group), and Frito-Lay. 

The Lamar Dodd School of Art at the University of Georgia (UGA) provides several paths to study graphic design. Degree-seeking students can earn an Art BFA with an emphasis in Graphic Design or an AB in Interdisciplinary Art and Design. A Design and Media minor and a New Media certificate are available to students in other majors. Dodd highlights include state-of-the-art studios; immersive workshops and seminars; galleries for instruction and student exhibitions; participation in the Annual Bachelor of Fine Arts Exit Show; visiting artists; and the year-round Studies Abroad Program in Cortona, Italy. Dodd graduates have secured roles at places such as Disney, Amazon, Wieden+Kennedy, Delta Air Lines, Apple, the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), Gray Media, Deloitte, and Cox Communications. 

The School of Art at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) houses a Communication Design AAS and Graphic Design BFA (GD BFA). The AAS provides a direct entry into the GD BFA as well as the Packaging Design, Advertising and Digital Design, and Visual Presentation and Exhibition Design BFA programs. 

Program highlights include access to state-of-the-art production facilities in the Pomerantz Art and Design Center, and Peter G. Scotese Computer-Aided Design and Communications Center; internships at places such as HarperCollins Publishers, Ralph Lauren, and Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum; and study abroad experiences in Spain, France, Italy, and Japan. Graduates can be found at places such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), BBDO, Pentagram, Sony, PepsiCo, DDB, Nike, Landor, R/GA, LEGO, Colgate-Palmolive, The Jewish Museum, Godiva, Think Brands, and New York Public Library. 

The College of Fine Arts at the University of Utah (The U) houses the Department of Art and Art History. Within the department are a Graphic Design BFA and a Studio Art MFA that allows students to develop a plan of study with a supervisory committee. Across programs, students benefit from workshops led by guest lecturers; access to labs and studios such as the Digital Matters Lab, Book Arts Studio, and the Make Space at Lassonde Studios; and immersive studio electives such as Packaging Design, Graphic Design Internship, and UX Web Design. Graduates have secured roles at places such as Adobe, Vivint, PBS, Sundance Institute, 1-800 Contacts, Utah Jazz & Delta Center, and Deseret Book. 

California State University-Long Beach (CSULB or Cal State Long Beach) houses the School of Art (SoA). Within the school is an impacted limited-enrollment Graphic Design major that follows an immersive studio, four-semester assigned cohort structure. Students in other BFA programs can apply to the Graphic Design minor program. At the graduate level, CSULB houses an Art MFA with a concentration in Studio Art. Students in this program have the option to focus their thesis studio and research on graphic design. Other program highlights include study abroad workshops in places such as London and Paris; the guest artist series; and customizable galleries for student exhibits. Graduates have been recruited by places such as HarperCollins Publishers, Mattel, Disney, the LA Times, Landor, and Getty Publications.

The Art and Design Department at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) has a Graphic Design concentration that highlights portfolio reviews by design professionals. Leading to an Art and Design BFA, the program explores UX/UI, packaging design, illustration, typography, identity design, and publication design. Cal Poly’s Graphic Communications Department offers a BS in Graphic Communication (GrC BS) with a Design Reproduction Technology concentration. The program focuses on the technical aspects of packaging, printing, and publishing. A GrC minor is also available. Across programs, graduates have been hired at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), NASA, Microsoft, Apple, Google, Amazon, Mattel, Nike, Disney, Adidas, Patagonia, 3M, and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Department of Art, Art History, and Design (AAHD) at Michigan State University (MSU) has several paths to study graphic design. Options include the Graphic Design BFA and minor, and a customizable, fully funded Land-Grant MFA. This means all MFA students receive a full tuition waiver and a stipend. Across programs, all students have opportunities to work in the agency-like workspace known as MSU Design Center. Students will also work and learn in state-of-the-art facilities and classroom-studios located in Kresge Art Center. MSU Design graduates can be found at places such as Google, Leo Burnett, FCB Chicago, CBS, Newell Brands, Saatchi & Saatchi, GM, Marquee Sports Network, and iHeartMedia. 

The School of Art at Louisiana State University (LSU) houses the BFA and MFA degrees in Graphic Design. Across programs, students have the opportunity to participate in workshops and lectures led by visiting artists, and the Arts, Visualization, Advanced Technologies and Research (AVATAR) Initiative, Other program highlights include access to the Design Shop, studio spaces, the IDEA Hub, teaching labs, and the Fabrication Factory; internships at places such as Sony, Halliburton, and IBM ; and participation in the Digital Art and Design Association (DADA) or Graphic Design Student Organization (GDSA). In addition to Sony, Halliburton, and IBM, graduates have secured positions at places such as DreamWorks, Pixar, Travel + Leisure, Lucasfilm, The Washington Post, Disney, VML, and the Baltimore Museum of Art.

The School of Art at University of Arkansas (U of A) houses a Graphic Design program with BFA and MDes options. All students benefit from professional internship opportunities; access to state-of-the-art equipment in the Design Lab and designated workspaces in the Studio + Design Center located in the Windgate Arts and Design District; collaborative projects; and participation in the U of A Chapter of the AIGA Student Group. MDes students receive funding support through a variety of assistantships (including a full-tuition waiver), research stipends, and research fellowships. Graduates have been hired to work with the Dallas Cowboys and at places such as Amazon, Saatchi X, CBRE, Walmart, and J.B. Hunt. 

University of Houston (UH) is home to the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts (KGMCA), which houses the School of Art. Within the school is a competitive Graphic Design BFA program that requires students to pass a portfolio review—known as the Block Review—to advance to upper-level graphic design courses. In addition to the BFA, the School of Art has a Graphic Design MFA program with 24/7 access to dedicated studios, collaborative spaces, and labs. Other highlights across programs include visiting professionals; interdisciplinary collaborative and site-specific projects; and internships at places such as Savage Brands, Norton Creative, and Loves’ Travel Shops. In addition to Savage Brands and Norton Creative, graduates have secured positions at places such as Gensler, HP, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), Stantec, CORE Design Studio, Kirksey Architecture, and Herring Design.

The Graphic Design (GD) BFA or Honors BFA (HBFA) programs at Oregon State University (OSU) are housed in the School of Visual, Performing, and Design Arts (SVPDA), which emphasizes hands-on learning, faculty-guided mentorship, and community engagement. Students in both programs also benefit from the Visiting Artists and Scholars series; more than a dozen required elective credits, allowing for a customized specialization; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; participation in productions; and intensive portfolio development. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Microsoft, Nike, Google, Deckers Brands (UGG, HOKA, Teva), Amazon, Columbia Sportswear, Apple, Williams-Sonoma, LAIKA, National Geographic, Target, HP, NBCUniversal, ESPN, Intel, and ABC.

Clemson University (Clemson) provides several paths to study graphic design. The school’s Department of Art houses a Visual Arts BFA with a Graphic Design emphasis and the Art BA with a Digital Art and Design media emphasis. The Department of Graphic Communications houses Graphic Communications BS and MS degrees. The BFA is a professional studio degree, while the BA is interdisciplinary, with a required minor or second major. The BS requires two industrial internships to graduate, while the MS attracts students with a technology background seeking leadership, packaging development, and research roles. Clemson visual design graduates can be found at places such as Disney, Lockheed Martin, Google, The Coca-Cola Company, Apple, BMW, Deloitte, Newell Brands, Adobe, RRD, and Capital One.

The College of Arts and Sciences at Oklahoma State University (OSU) houses the Department of Art, Graphic Design and Art History, which has several paths to study graphic design. Options include an Art BFA with a Graphic Design (GD) option, a GD minor for students in other majors, and a GD MFA. The MFA is Oklahoma’s only GD program to specialize in interaction design, visual communications, and motion design. The Institute of Technology at OSU (OSUIT) also houses a Graphic Design Technology AAS for students seeking a shorter degree path. Students in all programs benefit from  24/7 access to two design studios and three computer labs; professional internships at places such as Dillard’s and Love’s Travel Shops; collaborative projects; study abroad experiences in Paris, Milan, and Prague; and collaborative projects. Graduates have been hired at places such as Lockheed Martin, Amazon, IBM, ESPN, Halliburton, the Philbrook Museum of Art, Apple, Cisco Systems, Dell, Walmart, and Red Bull. 

The graphic design programs at California State University, Fullerton (Cal State Fullerton) are organized under the Department of Visual Arts in the College of the Arts. Options include the Graphic and Interactive Design BFA, MA, and MFA. Program highlights include internships at Disney, Honda, and Activision Blizzard, among others; portfolio critiques by notable artists and designers; immersive workshops and seminars; access to state-of-the-art labs and studios; professional career development services; and faculty-led study abroad experiences in Denmark, London, and Paris, to name a few. Visual Arts graduates have been recruited by places such as Saatchi & Saatchi, Cartoon Network, Amazon, PBS, DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, Sony, Lucasfilm, Savage X Fenty, Adobe, NBCUniversal, Apple, Disney, ABC, Electronic Arts (EA), The Los Angeles Times, Monster Energy, The Jim Henson Company, and Landor. 

The College of Design at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (UMTC) has several paths to study graphic design. Options include the Graphic Design BFA; a Graphic Design track for MFA, MS, and PhD students; and BS degrees in User Experience (UX) Design and Product Design. Across programs, students have opportunities to participate in collaborative design projects, immersive workshops, and advanced studios; travel abroad to Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, and many other locations; and complete a professional internship at Target, GM, and the Minnesota Star Tribune, among others. Graduates are routinely hired at these and other places such as Perkins & Will, U.S. Bank, 3M, and John Deere.

Iowa State University (Iowa State) provides several paths to study graphic design. Housed in the College of Design, options include Graphic Design BFA and MFA degrees; MA degrees in Experiential Graphic Design (MAxGD) and User Experience Design (MA UX); a dual GD MFA/Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) MS; and minors in UX Design and Digital Media. Across programs, students may participate in the College of Design’s international program, with studio facilities at Palazzo Cenci-Bolognetti in Rome, and faculty-led short-term abroad experiences in places such as Japan, Paris, and Spain. Students also have opportunities to gain real-world experience with clients such as the Special Olympics and Habitat for Humanity. Graduates have secured positions at places such as Deloitte, People Inc., Collins Aerospace, Epic, Alpha Graphics, John Deere, Infosys, AmeriCorps, and the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF).

One of the largest academic departments at Colorado State University (CSU) is Art and Art History. Housed in the College of Liberal Arts, the department has a Graphic Design concentration for Art BFA students; a flexible Integrated Visual Studio concentration for Art BA students; and a Graphic Design specialization for Art MFA students. Across programs, students have access to the state-of-the-art Digital Fabrication Lab and dedicated studios. Other program highlights include opportunities to participate in the Colorado International Invitational Poster Exhibition (CIIPE) and present works at national venues; studio tours; and internships at places such as Stantec and X-Golf. Graduates have secured roles at places such as IBM, Leo Burnett, The New York Times, Lockheed Martin, Disney, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Nike, Deloitte, Condé Nast, Crispin, OtterBox, UCHealth, and 5280 Magazine.

The College of Liberal and Creative Arts at San Francisco State University (SFSU) houses the School of Design, which provides several paths to study graphic design. Options include a Visual Communication Design BS (VCD BS); a Design minor with a VCD pathway; and Design MA that focuses on interdisciplinary VCD. Highlights across programs include opportunities to intern at places such as Adidas, Google, and Hearst; access to DESIGNSPACE; collaborations with community organizations and industry partners; participation in specialized projects in interactive media, rapid letterpress printing, and bookbinding; and study abroad experiences at partner universities in London, Australia, and Ireland. Graduates can be found at places such as the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Amazon, Google, Apple, Cisco, Pottery Barn, Adobe, Oracle, Dropbox, Adidas, San Francisco Public Press, and Old Navy.