College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2025 Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in South Carolina

8 Colleges in South Carolina
342 Design Degrees Awarded
$32,983 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #36 in popularity, design & applied arts is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

In 2025, College Factual analyzed 8 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in South Carolina ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 342 degrees in design & applied arts annually.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Design & Applied Arts School

Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in South Carolina The design program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Design & Applied Arts rankings. For our Best Overall Design & Applied Arts School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Pick Your Design & Applied Arts Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Design
Bachelor's Degrees in Design
Master's Degrees in Design

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in South Carolina ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for Design & Applied Arts in South Carolina

The schools below may not offer all types of design degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer.

Top South Carolina Schools in Design

1
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
94 Design Degrees Awarded
$46,689 Median Starting Salary

Clemson University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in design & applied arts. Clemson is a very large public university located in the medium-sized suburb of Clemson. A Best Colleges rank of #149 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Clemson is a great university overall.

There were roughly 94 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Clemson in the most recent year we have data available. Those design & applied arts students who get their degree from Clemson University receive $13,706 more than the standard design student.

More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Clemson University

2
Furman crest
Furman University
Greenville, SC
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
12th Most Popular In SC
55.0% Growth in Graduates

Furman University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in design & applied arts. Located in the large suburb of Greenville, Furman is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #648 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Furman is a great university overall.

There were approximately 20 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Furman in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Furman University

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts Program Name

Translate your creative ideas through concept, design and digital media with a bachelor's in graphic design online from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

3
Winthrop crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University is a great choice for students interested in a degree in design & applied arts. Located in the small city of Rock Hill, Winthrop is a public university with a small student population. This university ranks 13th out of 45 schools for overall quality in the state of South Carolina.

There were roughly 19 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Winthrop in the most recent year we have data available. Those design & applied arts students who get their degree from Winthrop University earn $7,136 more than the standard design grad.

More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Winthrop University

4

It is hard to beat Anderson University South Carolina if you wish to pursue a degree in design & applied arts. Anderson University South Carolina is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Anderson. A Best Colleges rank of #936 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Anderson University South Carolina is a great university overall.

After graduating, design degree recipients generally earn about $34,040 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Anderson University South Carolina

5
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
$22,024 Median Starting Salary

Horry-Georgetown Technical College is a medium-sized public college located in the city of Conway. This college ranks 18th out of 45 schools for overall quality in the state of South Carolina.

There were about 21 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Horry-Georgetown Technical College in the most recent data year. After graduation, design degree recipients generally make around $22,024 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Horry-Georgetown Technical College

6
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
42 Design Degrees Awarded
$26,076 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #1142 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Coastal Carolina University is a great university overall.

There were approximately 42 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Coastal Carolina University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design degree recipients typically earn around $26,076 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Coastal Carolina University

7
Bob Jones University crest
Bob Jones University
Greenville, SC
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$36,424 Median Starting Salary

Bob Jones University is a small private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Greenville. This university ranks 21st out of 45 colleges for overall quality in the state of South Carolina.

There were roughly 13 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Bob Jones University in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts degree recipients from Bob Jones University earn a boost of around $3,441 over the average income of design & applied arts graduates.

More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Bob Jones University

Sponsored
Associates Degree Type
AA in Digital Photography Program Name

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.

More information about a degree in AA in Digital Photography from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

8
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In SC

CSU is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Charleston. This university ranks 26th out of 45 colleges for overall quality in the state of South Carolina.

There were approximately 12 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at CSU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Charleston Southern University

Best Design & Applied Arts Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Best Design & Applied Arts Colleges in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Georgia 287 1,446
Florida 282 1,127
North Carolina 279 944
Virginia 274 889
Tennessee 269 296
Kentucky 244 84
Louisiana 242 84
Mississippi 234 81
Arkansas 234 228
Alabama 233 246
West Virginia 207 114

View All Rankings >

Design & Applied Arts is one of 10 different types of Visual & Performing Arts programs to choose from.

Design Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Industrial Design 94
Commercial & Advertising Art 82
Graphic Design 81
Visual Communications 67
Interior Design 12
Fashion Design 5
Other Design & Applied Arts 1

View All Design Focus Areas >

Majors Similar to Design

Related Major Annual Graduates
Fine & Studio Arts 368
Music 256
Drama & Theater Arts 177
Film, Video & Photographic Arts 125
Arts & Media Management 77
Dance 39
General Visual & Performing Arts 28
Other Visual Art 15

View All Design Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options