
So, what’s the difference between a “best” graphic design school and a “top” graphic design school? For starters, the publishers of each list handle the evaluation process differently. For example, several factors that “best” lists might not consider are cost and student population. The publishers of top schools lists may make cost and student body priority. Other factors used to determine which schools belong on “top” lists may include convenience, career placement services, quality of facilities and equipment, number recreational opportunities, and variety of social clubs.
To determine which schools belong on most “best” lists, considerations include types of program offerings, graduation and retention rates, peer assessment, faculty resources (student-teacher ratio), financial resources, and student selectivity. Based on the factors considered for each type of list, it should come as no surprise that organizations such as Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report, and Forbes typically compile the “best schools” lists, while alumni, students, bloggers, and other “unofficial” groups publish most top schools lists.
While the factors used to determine which schools belong on either list are quite different, in most cases, many of the same schools make both lists. Continue reading to find out which Michigan graphic design schools are on most top schools lists and what they have 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 Michigan Major Cities
Detroit
College for Creative Studies
Student Population: 1,307
Backdrop: Urban, 11-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Entertainment Arts/Animation, Graphic Design, Illustration; M. F. A. Design
Grand Rapids
Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University
Student Population: 1,141
Backdrop: Urban, 2-acre campus
B. F. A. Digital Media, Graphic Design, Illustration
Top Graphic Design School Programs Michigan Other Cities and Towns
Allendale
Grand Valley State University
Student Population: 24,500
Backdrop: Suburban, 1,304-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A., B. A. Art and Design with Emphasis in Graphic Design, Illustration; B. A., B. S. Communications: Film and Video Production with Animation/New Media Emphasis
Mount Pleasant
Central Michigan University
Student Population: 21,698
Backdrop: Small town, 854-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. A. or B. F. A. Art with Graphic Design Concentration; M. A. Broadcast and Cinematic Arts: Electronic Media Management or Electronic Media Production
Kalamazoo
Western Michigan University
Student Population: 20,054
Backdrop: Small town, 1,200-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design, Photography, and Intermedia
Southfield
Lawrence Technological University
Student Population: 4,000
Backdrop: Small town, 102-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Game Art, Graphic Design, Imaging – Digital Arts
Adrian
Siena Heights University
Student Population: 2,307
Backdrop: Small town, 140-acre campus, easy access to Detroit
Degrees Offered: B. A., B. F. A. Art with Concentration in Graphic Design
Bloomfield Hills
Cranbrook Academy of Art
Student Population: 150+
Backdrop: Suburban, 315-acre campus, easy access to Detroit
Degrees Offered: M. F. A. 2D Design (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