| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona State University | Tempe |
| 2 | University of Arizona | Tucson |
| 3 | Northern Arizona University | Flagstaff |
Our 2025 ranking of the top graphic design school programs in Arizona. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University (ASU) provides multiple paths to study graphic design. Options include the Design BS (BSD) in Graphic Design; the Graphic Information Technology BS (GITBS) and MS (GITMS); and the Design MS (Visual Communication Design). Across programs, students benefit from projects that focus on areas such as interaction design, motion graphics, branding, animation, and publication design; access to state-of-the-art equipment in the Digital Creative Studio, MIX Center, and Fab Lab, among others; internships with major companies and studios; and more than 300 global study options. ASU Design and GIT alumni have gone on to establish careers at places such as Amazon, Google, Intel, Apple, GoDaddy, UNICEF, Banner Health, and American Airlines.
The School of Art at University of Arizona (U of A or Arizona) provides several paths to study graphic design. Options include the Design Arts and Practices (DAP) BA with an emphasis in Visual, Object or Spatial Design, and a Studio Art BFA and MFA with an Illustration, Design and Animation (IDA) emphasis. All students benefit from opportunities to complete an internship at places such as the Tucson Museum of Art or Center for Creative Photography; access to state-of-the-art labs and studios; and study abroad experiences in places such as London, Rome, and Sydney. DAP and IDA graduates can be found at places such as Amazon, Disney, Fastsigns, Netflix, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Pixar, Target, and Warner Bros.
The Visual Communication BFA program at Northern Arizona University (NAU) explores interactivity, multimedia, animation, motion graphics, photography, and more. Housed in the School of Communication, the program also has two emphasis areas, including Graphic Design and Animation. Other program highlights include opportunities to work on real-world projects in the campus-based VisualDESIGNlab and the Advanced Media Lab; study abroad experiences in places such as Prague and Italy; a collaborative learning environment with immersive studios; and professional off-campus internships. Graduates can be found at places such as Amazon, Google, L’Oréal, IBM, Deloitte, Yahoo!, Gap, Motorola, Nike, Citigroup, Abercrombie & Fitch, Vanguard, GoDaddy, Cigna, Teva, and Groupon.
