by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual looked at 17 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 1,878 associate degrees in design & applied arts to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts
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Your choice of design & applied arts for getting your associate degree school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. When choosing a school we recommend considering some of the following factors:
The overall quality of a associate degree school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of associate graduates during the early years of their career. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their associate degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for design & applied arts students working on their associate degree.
The design school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Take the first step toward a career of visual expression and doing what you love with this online associate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in design & applied arts.
It is hard to beat Fashion Institute of Technology if you wish to pursue an associate degree in design & applied arts. Located in the large city of New York, FIT SUNY is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
Associate graduates who receive their degree from the design program earn about $14,361 for their early career.
More information about a associate in design & applied arts from Fashion Institute of Technology
The New School is one of the best schools in the country for getting an associate degree in design & applied arts. New School University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New York.
Design & Applied Arts associate degree recipients from The New School earn a boost of about $21,801 above the typical earnings of design & applied arts majors.
More information about a associate in design & applied arts from The New School
It's difficult to beat Pratt Institute - Main if you want to pursue an associate degree in design & applied arts. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in design & applied arts from Pratt Institute - Main
It's difficult to beat Rochester Institute of Technology if you want to pursue an associate degree in design & applied arts. RIT is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester.More information about a associate in design & applied arts from Rochester Institute of Technology
Located in the large suburb of Randolph, County College of Morris is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in design & applied arts from County College of Morris
Monroe Community College is a moderately-sized public college located in the large suburb of Rochester.
Associate recipients from the design & applied arts program at Monroe Community College get $4,879 above the standard college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.
More information about a associate in design & applied arts from Monroe Community College
Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Associate graduates who receive their degree from the design program make an average of $18,107 in the first couple years of their career.
More information about a associate in design & applied arts from Nassau Community College
Located in the city of Utica, MVCC is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
Students who graduate with their associate from the design program state that they receive average early career income of $21,012.
More information about a associate in design & applied arts from Mohawk Valley Community College
Located in the large suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton Community College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
Students who graduate with their associate from the design program report average early career earnings of $19,022.
More information about a associate in design & applied arts from Northampton County Area Community College
CCBC is a fairly large public college located in the large suburb of Baltimore.More information about a associate in design & applied arts from Community College of Baltimore County
Explore the best design & applied arts schools for a specific state in the Middle Atlantic Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 196 | 1,475 |
| Pennsylvania | 179 | 170 |
| New Jersey | 137 | 174 |
| Maryland | 126 | 178 |
| Delaware | 60 | 31 |
| District of Columbia | 36 | 12 |
One of 10 majors within the Visual & Performing Arts area of study, Design & Applied Arts has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Fashion Design | 470 |
| Commercial & Advertising Art | 432 |
| Graphic Design | 320 |
| Interior Design | 225 |
| Illustration | 157 |
| Visual Communications | 113 |
| Game & Interactive Media Design | 79 |
| Commercial Photography | 73 |
| Industrial Design | 9 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Fine & Studio Arts | 756 |
| General Visual & Performing Arts | 457 |
| Drama & Theater Arts | 373 |
| Music | 179 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | 170 |
| Dance | 10 |
| Arts & Media Management | 10 |
| Other Visual Art | 6 |
