| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Washington University | DC |
| 2 | American University | DC |
| 3 | Howard University | DC |
Our 2024 ranking of the top graphic design school programs in Washington DC. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
Serving 7,755, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS) at George Washington University (GW) is the largest the schools largest academic unit. CCAS provides more than 200 majors, minors, certificates and advanced degrees across 42 academic departments and three schools. This includes Corcoran School of the Arts and Design (Corcoran), home to the Graphic Design program.
Leading to a BFA, the Corcoran Graphic Design program allows students to participate in the World Studio’s Design Ignites Change and Design La, where they will have opportunities to work on real-world projects. Other program features include access to state-of-the-art studios and labs; internships at places such as Apple, Conde Nast, National Geographic, NBC, Discovery Communications, Newsweek, Architectural Digest, Chronicle Books, and PBS; and study abroad experiences in places such as London, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and China.
BFA students also have opportunities to take part in experiential learning experiences in DC or places such as New York City, Seattle, and San Francisco.
The Graphic Design BFA program at GW explores branding, motion graphics, identity design, typography, environmental design, web design, mobile apps, publication design, interaction design, systems design, and information design. Course examples for the program include Art Now; Drawing and Surface; Design Fundamentals I-II; Interaction; Time and Light; Typography I-IV; Communication Design; Graphic Design Studio I-III; Design Lab; and Environmental Design.
The Graphic Design BFA program at George Washington University culminates with the Graphic Design Thesis I-II courses; Professional Practices for Designers; and participation in the school-wide thesis exhibition known as NEXT.
Graduates are prepared to pursue titles such as Book Designer, Exhibit Designer, Package Designer, Web Designer, Environmental Designer, Publications Designer, User Interface Designer, Branding/Identity Designer, Motion Designer, Interaction Designer, and Mobile Apps Designer.
Program alumni have been hired for full-time positions at places such as Apple, Harper’s Bazaar, Discovery Communications, The Smithsonian Institution, National Geographic, and The Daily Beast.
George Washington University serves approximately 25,500 students from all 50 states, DC, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and 140 countries, making it the largest institution of higher education in Washington, DC. Founded in 1821, GW provides more than 300 programs across 14 colleges and schools. George Washington University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CESS).
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at American University (AU) is the institutions largest school. Students in the CAS have access to more than 100 degree programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Among the college’s art programs is a Graphic and Visual Communication Design BA and an 18 credit hour minor. Housed in the CAS Department of Art, the program allows students to add a minor in another area, a second major, or earn a combined bachelor’s/master’s degree. Examples of ideal MFA programs include Film and Media Arts; Studio Art; Games and Interactive Media; and Creative Writing.
The Graphic and Visual Communication Design minor at American University functions as a mini-major that can be added to many undergraduate and graduate programs. Students in this program will begin with Foundations: Principles and Foundations: Typography. Over the next three semesters, students will take required courses such as Visual Communication Design; Digital and Emerging Media Design; Typography I: Visible Language for Publications and Media; and Design for Understanding.
Elective examples include Typography II: Type and Image; Visual Branding and Design Systems; Illustration; Kinetic and Sequential Graphics; Packaging Design; Data Visualization and Information Design; Experience Design: Interactive Media and Mobile Devices; Design for Print: Digital and Analog Print Production; and Design Capstone. In this course, students will work on design projects and develop a portfolio.
The Graphic and Visual Communication Design BA program at American University requires 120 credit hours of study with the option to complete an internship and/or independent study program through electives. Course examples include Visual Branding and Design Systems; Packaging Design; Typography II: Type and Image; Kinetic and Sequential Graphics; Graphic Design History: Visual Culture, Commerce, and Propaganda; Visual Concepts and Image Making for Design; The Artists Perspective: Digital Photography; Visual Communication Design; Experience Design: Interactive Media and Mobile Devices; and Illustration.
Students in good academic standing may participate in the AU Abroad program. In partnership with the Packaging program in the Department of Art, AU Abroad provides study abroad programs geared towards artists and designers. Locations include England (University College of London – Slade School of Fine Arts); Italy (Studio Art Centers International); Scotland (Glasgow School of Art); Australia (University of New South Wales); and Wales (Aberystwyth University).
The Graphic and Visual Communication Design program at American University culminates with the Design Capstone. In this final course, students will research, conceptualize, design, and complete a multiple and multifaceted design projects that will become a part of their professional portfolio.
Graduates are prepared to pursue graduate study or positions in areas such as multimedia design, book publishing, UI/UX design, advertising, magazine publishing, marketing, web design, and exhibit design.
American University alumni can be found at places such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Deloitte, Meta, and Salesforce.
Founded in 1893, American University is classified as an R2 Institution, ranked "Doctoral: Higher Research Activity" by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The school serves more than 14,000 students from all 50 states, DC and 124 countries. AU provides 298 programs across eight colleges and schools. American University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and it is recognized by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church.
Howard University (Howard) is home to the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts, which houses the Department of Art. Established in 1921, the department provides BA, BFA, and MFA degrees in nine areas. Students who would like to major in Graphic Design can earn a BFA or MFA in Art with a concentration Graphic Design. These career-oriented programs explore publication design, advertising and marketing design, branding, and package design.
Program features include opportunities to work on projects for with companies, agencies, and cultural institutions in the DC area; access to state-of-the-art facilities; visiting artists; internship and apprenticeship opportunities with commercial, non-profit, or governmental agencies; workshops; and study abroad experiences through Howard’s Ralph J. Bunche Center. Students may study in places such as Morocco, Brazil, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Netherlands, Japan, South Africa, Fiji, Australia, Spain, or England.
Course examples for the Art BFA program include 3D Concepts I-II; Introduction to Digital Design; Typography I-II; Reproduction and Technique; Design for Advertising I-II; Studio Problems in Design; Newspaper and Magazine Design I-II; Printmaking; Web Development and Interactive Media; Principles of Speech; Production and Portfolio Techniques; African American Art I-II; and Industry Prep and Entrepreneur. Students will complete 120 credit hours and a professional portfolio of their best work to graduate.
The Art MFA program at Howard University is a 60 credit hour program that can be completed in two years, full-time. Course examples include Workshop: Publication/Magazine and News Design I-II; Advanced Typography; Workshop: Advertising I-II; Web Development and Interactive Media; 3D Modeling and Animation I; Painting Workshop VI; Design Seminar; and Western African Art.
The Art MFA program culminates with a thesis completed across four courses (Thesis I-IV). Final projects will be presented to faculty and peers.
Graduates of the Art: Graphic Design BFA program at Howard University are prepared to pursue design in industries from adverting to manufacturing. Some BFA alumni go on to pursue graduate studies at Howard or other top universities. Graduates of the Art: Graphic Design MFA program are prepared to pursue leadership roles in industries such as advertising, book publishing, film studios, packaging, magazine publishing, corporate identity, newspaper publishing, marketing, education, and research.
Howard University was founded on March 2, 1867 by Civil War hero General Oliver O. Howard. This private research university serves approximately 9,690 students enrolled in more than 130 areas of study leading across 13 colleges and schools. Howard University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).
