2025 Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Ohio
16
Colleges in Ohio
1,960
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 16 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Ohio ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 1,960 degrees in design & applied arts to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings
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Featured Design & Applied Arts Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
AA in Digital Photography
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.
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BA in Digital Photography
Learn to create a striking portfolio and hone the skills you need to succeed in the world of professional photography with this online digital photography degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn More
Choosing a Great Design & Applied Arts School
Your choice of design & applied arts school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. 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.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Design & Applied Arts Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Ohio list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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.
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Featured Design & Applied Arts Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
AA in Digital Photography
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.
Learn More
BA in Digital Photography
Learn to create a striking portfolio and hone the skills you need to succeed in the world of professional photography with this online digital photography degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn More
Best Schools for Design & Applied Arts in Ohio
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.
10 Top Ohio Schools in Design
Any student who is interested in design & applied arts has to check out University of Cincinnati - Main Campus. Located in the city of Cincinnati, UC is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #137 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UC is a great university overall.
There were roughly 227 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at UC in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the design & applied arts degree program at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus earn $19,543 above the standard graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
Any student pursuing a degree in design & applied arts needs to look into Kent State University at Kent. Located in the large suburb of Kent, Kent State is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #250 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Kent State is a great university overall.
There were roughly 271 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Kent State in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the design & applied arts major at Kent State University at Kent make $3,368 more than the typical college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Kent State University at Kent
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 UniversityRelated Programs
It's hard to beat Ohio State University - Main Campus if you wish to pursue a degree in design & applied arts. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #70 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Ohio State is a great university overall.
There were about 42 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the design & applied arts program at Ohio State University - Main Campus earn $12,193 more than the standard graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Ohio State University - Main Campus
Any student who is interested in design & applied arts has to look into Columbus College of Art and Design. CCAD is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large city of Columbus.
There were about 123 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at CCAD in the most recent data year. After graduating, design degree recipients typically earn around $27,970 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Columbus College of Art and Design
Located in the fringe town of Oxford, Miami University - Oxford is a public university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #134 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Miami University - Oxford is a great university overall.
There were about 62 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Miami University - Oxford in the most recent data year. Those design & applied arts students who get their degree from Miami University - Oxford earn $14,312 more than the typical design grad.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Miami University - Oxford
Located in the large city of Cleveland, CIA is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
There were roughly 65 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at CIA in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the design program earn around $23,358 in their early career salary.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Cleveland Institute of Art
Located in the town of Bowling Green, BGSU is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 18th out of 91 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.
There were about 120 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at BGSU in the most recent data year. Design & Applied Arts degree recipients from Bowling Green State University - Main Campus earn a boost of around $2,662 above the typical earnings of design & applied arts majors.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Bowling Green State University - Main Campus
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 UniversityRelated Programs
Located in the medium-sized city of Dayton, UDayton is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #227 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UDayton is a great university overall.
There were approximately 18 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at UDayton in the most recent year we have data available. Design & Applied Arts degree recipients from University of Dayton earn a boost of about $10,626 above the average earnings of design & applied arts graduates.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from University of Dayton
Cedarville is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the rural area of Cedarville. This university ranks 31st out of 91 colleges for overall quality in the state of Ohio.
There were approximately 45 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Cedarville in the most recent year we have data available. Those design & applied arts students who get their degree from Cedarville University make $2,785 more than the average design grad.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Cedarville University
Sinclair Community College is a large public college located in the medium-sized city of Dayton. This college ranks 19th out of 91 colleges for overall quality in the state of Ohio.
There were about 152 design & applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Sinclair Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, design degree recipients generally make around $24,490 in their early careers.
More information about a degree in design & applied arts from Sinclair Community College