What are the top South Carolina graphic design schools for 2026?
| Ranking | School | City | Ranking by Region | National Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clemson University | Clemson | #13 in South | Unranked |
| 2 | University of South Carolina | Columbia | #16 in South | Unranked |
Our 2026 ranking of the top graphic design school programs in South Carolina. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
1. Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina
Clemson University (Clemson) provides several paths to study graphic design. The school’s Department of Art houses a Visual Arts BFA with a Graphic Design emphasis and the Art BA with a Digital Art and Design media emphasis. The Department of Graphic Communications houses Graphic Communications BS and MS degrees. The BFA is a professional studio degree, while the BA is interdisciplinary, with a required minor or second major. The BS requires two industrial internships to graduate, while the MS attracts students with a technology background seeking leadership, packaging development, and research roles. Clemson visual design graduates can be found at places such as Disney, Lockheed Martin, Google, The Coca-Cola Company, Apple, BMW, Deloitte, Newell Brands, Adobe, RRD, and Capital One.
2. University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
University of South Carolina (USC) provides several paths to study graphic design. Housed in the School of Visual Art and Design (SVAD)—the largest art school in the state—are the Studio Art BA, BFA, and MFA programs. The flexible BA program allows students to focus in Graphic Design, while BFA has a formal concentration in Graphic Design and Illustration. MFA students can select Graphic Design as their Main area of field work and creative research. All students have opportunities to work and learn in a dedicated 85,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art production facility; participate in workshops, engage with guest speakers, and attend special creative events through the South Carolina Chapter of the AIGA; complete a professional internship; and study abroad in places such as Amsterdam, Spain, and Italy. Graduates have landed positions at places such as Google, Boeing, Nike, Aramark, Humana, Reebok, IBM, Miami Marlins, the Girl Scouts of South Carolina, Anthropologie, Omnicom Advertising, and Lyft.