| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado State University | Fort Collins |
| 2 | University of Colorado Denver | Denver |
| 3 | Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design | Denver |
| 4 | University of Northern Colorado | Greeley |
Our 2025 ranking of the top graphic design school programs in Colorado. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
The College of Liberal Arts at Colorado State University (CSU or Colorado State) houses one of the school’s largest academic departments—Art and Art History. Within the department are the Art Studio BFA and MFA programs. The BFA has a Graphic Design concentration. The MFA has a Graphic Design specialization. Students in both programs benefit from participation in the biennial Colorado International Invitational Poster Exhibition (CIIPE); opportunities to exhibit work and give presentations at regional and national venues; access to state-of-the art production facilities; and open-studio tours. Graduates have gone on to land positions at places such as Amazon, Lockheed Martin, Deloitte, Microsoft, Nike, Google, Leo Burnett, The New York Times, IBM, Crispin, Condé Nast, and UCHealth.
The College of Arts and Media (CAM) at University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) has several paths to study graphic design. Options include BFA degrees in Digital Design, and 3D Graphics and Animation, and the 21 credit hour Digital Design minor. The Digital Design BFA operates as a design laboratory led by industry professionals. Students engage in hands-on projects in areas from graphic design and motion graphics, to interactive media and branding design. 3D Graphics and Animation students work and learn in the state-of-the-art Digital Animation Center (DAC). Across programs, graduates have been hired at places such as Apple, IBM, Pixar, Google, HP, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Lucasfilm, NBCUniversal, Disney, Warner Bros., American Express, Sony, Rolling Stone, Netflix, Mercedes-Benz, and Nickelodeon.
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) has two paths to study graphic design. Options include the Graphic Design BFA and an Illustrative Design BFA that blends graphic design, data visualization, branding, and motion design with illustration. Both programs feature hands-on projects for real-world clients; internship opportunities; teaching engagements and presentations led by design professionals; immersive workshops; and the option to complete the courses 100% online or through the hybrid online/campus pathway. Graduates have been hired at places such as DreamWorks Animation, Dell, IBM, Marvel, KPMG, Deloitte, Pixar, EY, Accenture, Disney, and Deck Nine Games.
The School of Art and Design at University of Northern Colorado (UNC) has two paths to study graphic design. Options include the Graphic Design BA and the Art and Design MA. BA students have the option to add the Arts Entrepreneurship certificate. Students may also participate in the Exhibition Program; the American Advertising Federation (AAF); and the Southard Art Awards Competition. Courses for the Art and Design MA are taught as studios. Examples include Computer Graphics; Integrated Media Arts; Multimedia in Arts; and Printmaking. The culminating experiences for the programs are the Senior Project (BA), and the Research Capstone (MA). UNC alumni go on to land positions at places such as Google, Microsoft, IBM, Delta Air Lines, Boston Scientific, NVIDIA, Toyota, P&G, and Novo Nordisk.
