| Ranking | School | City | Ranking by Region | National Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis College of Art and Design | Minneapolis | #5 in Midwest | #28 |
| 2 | University of Minnesota Twin Cities | Minneapolis | #15 in Midwest | Unranked |
| 3 | Minnesota State University Moorhead | Moorhead | Unranked | Unranked |
| 4 | University of Minnesota Duluth | Duluth | Unranked | Unranked |
Our 2026 ranking of the top graphic design school programs in Minnesota. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
The Graphic Design Program at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) provides opportunities to work on client projects at DesignWorks—MCAD's in-house studio. Hands-on studio electives allow students to gain additional experience in different areas of graphic design. Degree options include a Graphic Design BFA; the Graphic and Web Design MA; and a Visual Studies MFA that includes graphic design, digital media, animation, illustration, and more. Across programs, students benefit from optional internships; opportunities to participate in activities at local galleries, art centers, and design nonprofits; and study abroad experiences in places such as the UK and Japan. MCAD art and design alumni can be found at places such as the Science Museum of Minnesota, Amazon, Walker Art Center, Disney, Netflix, 3M, The New York Times, Target, Starbucks, Best Buy, General Mills, Medtronic, and Design Works.
The College of Design at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (UMTC) has several paths to study graphic design. Options include the Graphic Design BFA; a Graphic Design track for MFA, MS, and PhD students; and BS degrees in User Experience (UX) Design and Product Design. Across programs, students have opportunities to participate in collaborative design projects, immersive workshops, and advanced studios; travel abroad to Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, and many other locations; and complete a professional internship at Target, GM, and the Minnesota Star Tribune, among others. Graduates are routinely hired at these and other places such as Perkins & Will, U.S. Bank, 3M, and John Deere.
The School of Media Arts, Design and Entertainment at Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) has a Graphic and Interactive Design BFA program that provides the opportunity to work at MSUM’s student ad agency, Flypaper Creative Services. A Graphic Design minor is available for students in other creative majors. Degree-seeking students benefit from dedicated studio spaces; the AIGA Dragons Student Chapter, which hosts studio tours, critiques, and networking opportunities; an academic semester in the UK, Italy, France, or East Asia; and internships at Plains Art Museum and other organizations. Graduates have a 100% placement rate and have secured roles at places such as Amazon, Microsoft, Target, Disney, General Mills Corporate Communications, Adidas, 3M, Deloitte, and Best Buy.
The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) houses a Graphic Design BFA with a Studio Art or Marketing emphasis. UMD’s Labovitz School of Business and Economics (LSBE) houses a Marketing and Graphic Design BBA (MGD BBA), which is the first program of its kind. Both BBA and BFA students have opportunities to complete a professional internship. Students have interned with the Minnesota Vikings and at places such as Google, Ecolab, Target, and Land O'Lakes, Inc. Other program highlights include access to state-of-the-art production facilities and study abroad experiences in places such as Denmark, Italy, and the UK. Graduates have been hired by the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Warner Bros., 3M, Titmouse, Ulta Beauty, and Gartner.
