
A “best” graphic design school and a “top” graphic design school are different in several ways. The factors used to determine if a school deserves to be called the “best” are different from the ones used to dub any given school a “top” school. To determine which schools are the best, considerations include types of program offerings, graduation and retention rates, peer assessment, faculty resources (student-teacher ratio), financial resources, and student selectivity. A top school may make the cut based on issues such as cost, convenience, career placement services, quality of facilities and equipment, and recreation and social clubs.
Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report, and other similar organizations typically compile the “best schools” lists. Alumni, students, bloggers, and others are usually behind most “top schools” lists. While the factors used to determine which schools belong on either list are different, in most cases, many of the same schools find their way onto both lists.
Continue reading to find out which Georgia graphic design schools made the list of top graphic design school programs, and what each has to offer. Please note that the top schools listed below are in order by student population from largest to smallest.
Top Graphic Design School Programs Georgia Major Cities
Athens
University of Georgia
Student Population: 26,373
Backdrop: Suburban, 1508-acre campus, easy access to Atlanta
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Emphasis in Art X: Expanded Forms, Graphic Design; M. F. A. Dramatic Media Production; Interdisciplinary Certificate in New Media
Athens
Georgia State University
Student Population: 24,101
Backdrop: Urban, 55-acre campus, easy access to all of Atlanta
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Studio Art with Concentration in Graphic Design; M. F. A. Studio Art with Concentration in Graphic Design
Atlanta
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
Student Population: 10,500
Backdrop: Urban
Degrees Offered: B. A. and B. F. A. in Animation (B. F. A. only), Graphic Design, Illustration, Motion Media Design (B. F. A. only) and Interactive Design and Game Development; M. A. and M. F. A. in Animation, Graphic Design, Illustration, Illustration Design (M. A. only), Motion Media Design and Interactive Design and Game Development. Traditional and online degree programs are available in most areas of study.
Savannah
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
Student Population: 10,500
Backdrop: Urban
Degrees Offered: B. A. and B. F. A. in Animation (B. F. A. only), Graphic Design, Illustration, Motion Media Design (B. F. A. only) and Interactive Design and Game Development; M. A. and M. F. A. in Animation, Graphic Design, Illustration, Illustration Design (M. A. only), Motion Media Design and Interactive Design and Game Development. Traditional and online degree programs are available in most areas of study.
Top Graphic Design School Programs Georgia Other Cities and Towns
Kennesaw
Kennesaw State University
Student Population: 22,333
Backdrop: Small town, 384-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Visual Arts with Concentration in Graphic Communication
Statesboro
Georgia Southern University
Student Population: 17,525
Backdrop: Small town, 700-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Concentration in Graphic Design; M. F. A. Fine Arts with Concentration in Graphic Design
Carrollton
University of West Georgia
Student Population: 10,029
Backdrop: Small town, 645-acre campus, easy access to Atlanta
Degrees Offered: B. A. and B. F. A. Art with Concentration in Graphic Design
More Programs to Consider:
- San Francisco & Online
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#15) - 2020
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#23) - 2020
- Top 40 Nationally for Illustration (#29) - 2020
- Atlanta, Georgia; Savannah, Georgia; Lacoste, France; and SCAD eLearning
- Animation – BFA, MA, MFA
- Film and Television – BFA, MA, MFA
- Graphic Design – BA, BFA, MA, MFA
- Illustration – BA, BFA, MA, MFA
- Immersive Reality - BFA
- Interactive Design and Game Development – BA, BFA, MA, MFA
- Motion Media Design – BFA, MA, MFA
- Sequential Art – BA, BFA, MA, MFA
- Visual Effects – BFA, MA, MFA
- User Experience (UX) Design – BFA
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#3) - 2020
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#12) - 2020
- Top 50 Nationally for Graphic Design (#9) - 2020
- Top 40 Nationally for Illustration (#9) - 2020
- Winter Park, FL & Online
- Computer Animation - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Game Programs - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Graphic Design & Digital Arts - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Film & Digital Cinematography - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Mobile Development - Bachelor's - Online
- Simulation & Visualization - Bachelor's - Campus
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#19) - 2020
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#17) - 2020
- Top 5 in Florida for Graphic Design (#4) - 2020
- Online
Sources
Peterson’s, www.petersons.com
Princeton Review, www.princetonreview.com
U.S. News & World Report College Rankings, www.usnews.com/rankings