| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland Institute College of Art | Baltimore |
| 2 | University of Maryland | College Park |
| 3 | Towson University | Towson |
Our 2025 ranking of the top graphic design school programs in Maryland. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) provides several paths to study graphic design including BFA, MA, and MFA degrees. BFA students can customize an area of specialization and/or select a minor such as Illustration, Game Design, or Interactive Arts. Housed in a loft studio space with dedicated computers and workspaces, the graduate programs highlight seminars, internships, and the GDMA Workshop, which provides the opportunity to create and exhibit a self-directed design project and portfolio. MICA alumni go on to establish careers at places such as DreamWorks Animation, Google, Ogilvy, Apple, The New York Times, MoMA, DC Comics, Nike, Adobe, Netflix, LucasArts, NPR, and Under Armour.
The College of Arts and Humanities at University of Maryland (UMD) houses the Department of Art. Within the department is a Studio Art BA with a concentration in Graphic Design. The program provides the opportunity to intern at places such as The Smithsonian, USA Today, and Discovery Channel. Other program benefits include the Visiting Artist Lecture Series; the opportunity to work on projects in the student-run Herman Maril Gallery; and study abroad experiences in places such as Sweden and the UK. UMD Department of Art graduates have gone on to land positions at places such as Northrop Grumman, The Washington Post, Google, National Geographic, AARP, Deloitte, EY, Capital One, PwC, Marriott International, KPMG, Inc. Magazine, HBO, Shakespeare Theater Company, VICE Media, and SiriusXM.
The College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) at Towson University (TU) houses the Department of Art + Design, Art History, Art Education. Within the department is a Graphic Design concentration for students in the Art and Design BFA and Studio Art MFA programs. Other program benefits include small class sizes with courses taught by design professionals; access to state-of-the-art studios and labs; four galleries; and professional internships. Students also benefit from studio visits; study abroad programs in more than 50 countries; and participation in Towson University’s own AIGA Chapter, which hosts workshops, field trips, and networking events. Graduates can be found at places such as Boston Orioles and at places such as Booz Allen Hamilton, PwC, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), Under Armour, Stanley Black & Decker, PNC Bank, Target, UPS, Geico, TEKsystems, and State Farm.
