| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisiana State University | Baton Rouge |
| 2 | Tulane University | New Orleans |
| 3 | Loyola University New Orleans | New Orleans |
Our 2024 ranking of the top graphic design school programs in Louisiana. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
The College of Art & Design at Louisiana State University (LSU) is home to the School of Art. Within the school is a Graphic Design concentration leading to a BFA or MFA in Studio Art. Both programs explore identity design, motion graphics, branding, typography, information design, packaging design, print and editorial design, illustration, environmental design, and digital imaging.
Consisting of 120 credit hours, the BFA curriculum consists of courses such as Graphic Design I-III; Interactive Multimedia Design; Applied Typography; Digital Imaging Techniques; Graphic Design Synthesis; Digital Art; Prepress Production Techniques; Experimental Design; and Special Studies in Graphic Design.
The LSU MFA is a 60 credit hour program that consists of workshops and lectures by visiting artists, studio art electives, and graduate studios. A Teaching Seminar is also part of the program as well as two thesis courses worth six credits. Final projects will be presented at a public exhibition.
All BFA and MFA students at LSU may participate in the Arts, Visualization, Advanced Technologies and Research (AVATAR) Initiative. Students also enjoy all access to the LSU Art Building, which houses classrooms, IDEA Hub, studio spaces, the Fabrication Factory, teaching labs, and the Design Shop. In addition, students may join the Digital Art and Design Association (DADA); participate in local and national design competitions; and join the Graphic Design Student Organization (GDSA), which hosts field trips to local design firms and other events.
Graduates of the Studio Art/Graphic Design programs at Louisiana State University are prepared to launch their own studios or pursue design roles in advertising, publishing, education, corporate communications, and the non-profit sectors, among others.
LSU Graphic Design alumni have been hired at places such as Pixar Animation Studios, The Washington Post, DreamWorks, Travel + Leisure, Disney, Sony Picture Entertainment, Lucasfilm, Halliburton, KPMG, Nissan North America, Hunter Museum of American Art, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, Bluebonnet, Leftfield Entertainment, Baltimore Museum of Art, SVAD-NYC, Modern Media, Trace Labs, and the Modern Art Museum (Fort Worth, Texas).
Louisiana State University was founded in 1860 as the Louisiana State Seminary of Learning and Military Academy. The school is the flagship institution of the Louisiana State University System.
LSU serves approximately 37,880 students enrolled in more than 330 programs across 18 colleges, schools, and centers, and LSU Online. Louisiana State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Programs in the School of Art are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
The School of Professional Advancement (SoPA) at Tulane University (Tulane) provides bachelor’s degrees, bachelor’s degree completion, graduate, and certificate programs. Some programs and courses may be completed entirely online. For students seeking a graphic design program, SoPA has several options. At the undergraduate level, students can earn a Digital Design BA with a Graphic Design track; a hybrid Post-Baccalaureate (PBC) certificate in Digital Design with a concentration in Graphic Design; or a Graphic Design minor.
The Digital Design BA requires 42 credit hours in the major, 18 elective credit hours, and 60 credit hours in general requirements. The Digital Design PBC requires 30 major hours, and the Graphic Design minor requires 18 credit hours. Course examples across programs include History of Graphic Design; Digital Page Layout; Typography Studio; Branding and Semiotics; Digital Page Layout; Infographic Design; Digital Illustration; Digital Imaging, Interactive Design Studio I-II; Copywriting; Packaging Design; and Motion Design Studio I-II.
In addition to a variety of courses, the Design programs at Tulane provide allow students to study in other tracks; participate in professional conferences, symposiums, and social events; complete a professional internship at a regional or national company; and study abroad in places such as London, Paris, Greece, Rome, and Prague. Tulane also provides professional career services to help students develop job search, interviewing, and networking skills.
Graduates of the Design programs at Tulane University are prepared to pursue roles in areas such as advertising, entertainment, magazine, newspaper, and book publishing, web design, marketing, public relations, museums, and app design. Potential job titles include Graphic Designer, Creative Director, Print Designer, Visual Communication Designer, Brand Manager, User Interface (UI)/User Experience (UX) Designer, Front-End Web Developer, Environmental Designer, Publication Designer, Illustrator, Type Designer, Packaging Designer, and Art Director.
Tulane University was established in 1834 as Medical College of Louisiana. Serving approximately 14,475 today, the school was the first major research institution to require public service for graduation. Tulane provides 75 different undergraduate majors and dozens of graduate programs across nine colleges and schools. Tulane University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Loyola University of New Orleans (LOYNO or Loyola) is the only Jesuit institution and the only institution in New Orleans to offer a professional degree in design—the BDes. The program provides a major in Graphic Design. Students can also earn a BA in Mass Communication with a concentration in Visual Communication (VC). Programs are part of the Department of Design in the College of Music and Media’s School of Communication and Design.
Students in both programs enjoy a number of benefits provided by the Department of Design. The department has its own AIGA chapter, which hosts guest artists and fundraising events. The department also provides internship opportunities at places such as Peter Mayer Advertising and New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA). Graphic and Visual Communication Design students also have the opportunity to participate in study abroad programs in more than 50 countries. Examples include Spain, China, India, Brazil, the UK, Ecuador, Ireland, Belgium, Japan, and Italy.
The Graphic Design BDes program at Loyola University New Orleans consists of 120 credit hours, including 72 in the major. The program explores drawing, electronic media, publication design, illustration, typographic design, hand lettering, photography, UX design, screen printing, motion, letterpress, and 3D. Course examples for the major include Print Design and Narrative; Illustration Design; Typography Lab 1-2; Motion Design and Narrative; Design Photography; Business of Design; UX Design Practicum; and Social/Political Design. Students will also complete a design internship and participate in the Senior Capstone Show.
The Mass Communication: VC BA at Loyola University New Orleans is a 120 credit hour program with 24 credits in the VC sequence. Students will also complete the Mass Communication core consisting of 18 credit hours. Course examples include Introduction to Design; Communications Writing; and Seminar in Mass Communication.
The VC sequence consists of courses such as Typography Lab 1-2; Advanced Advertising Campaigns; Print Design and Narrative; Brand Lab; Social Media Strategies; Videography; Photography; and Advanced Public Relations. All VC students must complete an academic minor as well.
Graduates of the Graphic Design BDes and Mass Communication: VC BA programs at Loyola University New Orleans are prepared to pursue design roles across industries. Possible job titles include Graphic Designer, Brand Manager, Publications Designer, Creative Director, UI/UX Designer, Package Designer, Book Designer, Motion Graphics Designer, Exhibition Designer, and Web Designer. Loyola alumni also go on to pursue research jobs, graduate studies, consulting careers, or teaching positions.
Established in 1904 as Loyola College, Loyola University New Orleans is a private, Jesuit university that serves approximately 4,550 students enrolled in nearly 150 programs across five colleges and Loyola Online. Loyola University New Orleans is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
