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2023 Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts in the Far Western US Region

20 Ranked Colleges
236 Degrees Awarded
$68,111 Avg Salary
Schools for a Master's Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2021-2022, 36,323 people earned their degree in design & applied arts, making the major the 36th most popular in the United States. In , design & applied arts graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $32,210 and had an average of $24,297 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 6,197 design & applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,600 and $24,802 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 236 design & applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $62,396 and $49,784 respectively.

This year’s “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region” ranking analyzed 20 colleges that offered a degree in design & applied arts. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in design & applied arts.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region” list to help you make the college decision.

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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region”.

Top 20 Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts in the Far Western US Region

1
Otis College of Art and Design crest
Otis College of Art and Design
Los Angeles, California

Out of the 20 schools in the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Otis College of Art and Design landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified masters’s design students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Otis College of Art and Design

2
California College of the Arts crest
California College of the Arts
San Francisco, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California College of the Arts. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region list. California College of the Arts is located in San Francisco, California and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 26 masters’s design degrees to qualified students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full California College of the Arts Design & Applied Arts Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Pacific Northwest College of Art. The school came in at #3 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region. This small school is located in Portland, Oregon, and it awarded 2 masters’s design degrees in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Pacific Northwest College of Art Design & Applied Arts Report

4
Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Academy of Art University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region list. Academy of Art University is a medium-sized private for-profit school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 78 masters’s design degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Academy of Art University

5
Art Center College of Design crest
Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Art Center College of Design. The school came in at #5 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region. Art Center College of Design is a small school located in Pasadena, California that handed out 36 masters’s design degrees in 2021-2022.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Art Center College of Design

6
LCAD crest
Laguna College of Art and Design
Laguna Beach, California

Laguna College of Art and Design ranked #6 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region list. Laguna College of Art and Design is located in Laguna Beach, California and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 5 masters’s design degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at LCAD

7
New York Film Academy crest
New York Film Academy
Burbank, California

New York Film Academy ranked #7 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region list. Burbank, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out masters’s design degrees to 4 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at New York Film Academy

8
UO crest
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

University of Oregon came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. University of Oregon is a large school located in Eugene, Oregon that handed out 13 masters’s design degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at University of Oregon

9
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #9. University of Southern California is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 29 masters’s design degrees in 2021-2022.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at USC

10
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #10 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s design degrees to 8 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at San Francisco State University

11

With a ranking of #11, University of California - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region list. UCLA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at UCLA

12

California State University - Long Beach came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified masters’s design students in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Long Beach Design & Applied Arts Report

13
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

Washington State University ranked #13 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region list. Washington State University is a large school located in Pullman, Washington that handed out 5 masters’s design degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Wazzu

14

University of Washington - Seattle Campus came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school awarded 38 diplomas to qualified masters’s design students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Full UW Seattle Design & Applied Arts Report

15
Design Institute of San Diego crest
Design Institute of San Diego
San Diego, California

Design Institute of San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #15. Design Institute of San Diego is located in San Diego, California and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4 masters’s design degrees to qualified students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Design Institute of San Diego

15

15

Western Oregon University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Western Oregon State College is a public institution located in Monmouth, Oregon. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Western Oregon State College

15

University of California - Berkeley ranked #15 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region list. University of California - Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 0 masters’s design degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at UC Berkeley

15
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Stanford University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Stanford is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 0 masters’s design degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Stanford

15
National University crest
National University
San Diego, California

National University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Design Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 0 diplomas to qualified masters’s design students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at National University

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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