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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Design & Applied Arts in Massachusetts

35 Ranked Colleges
$38,500 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Design & Applied Arts is the 36th most popular major in the country with 36,323 degrees awarded in 2021-2022. 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 Massachusetts, there were 923 design & applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,757 and $25,720 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts” ranking looked at 35 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in design & applied arts. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in design & applied arts.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts”.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Design & Applied Arts in Massachusetts

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Massachusetts College of Art and Design. The school came in at #1 for the Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts. Massachusetts College of Art and Design is a small public school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 140 ’s design degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 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 2.3% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Massachusetts College of Art and Design Design & Applied Arts Report

2
Montserrat College of Art crest
Montserrat College of Art
Beverly, Massachusetts

Out of the 35 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, Montserrat College of Art landed the #2 spot on the list. Beverly, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s design degrees to 31 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Montserrat College of Art Design & Applied Arts Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wentworth Institute of Technology. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts list. Wentworth Institute of Technology is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 65 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full WIT Design & Applied Arts Report

4
Lesley crest
Lesley University
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Out of the 35 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, Lesley University landed the #4 spot on the list. Lesley University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 70 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Lesley

5
Hampshire crest
Hampshire College
Amherst, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Hampshire College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts list. This small school is located in Amherst, Massachusetts, and it awarded 7 ’s design degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Hampshire

6
Endicott crest
Endicott College
Beverly, Massachusetts

Endicott College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #6. Endicott is located in Beverly, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 63 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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 Endicott College Design & Applied Arts Report

7
UMass Dartmouth crest
University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts ranking. University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth is a public institution located in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 56 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth

8
Lasell crest
Lasell University
Newton, Massachusetts

Lasell University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts ranking. Newton, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s design degrees to 30 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Lasell

9
Stonehill crest
Stonehill College
Easton, Massachusetts

Stonehill College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts ranking. Easton, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s design degrees to 10 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Stonehill

10
Suffolk crest
Suffolk University
Boston, Massachusetts

Suffolk University ranked #10 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts list. Suffolk is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 48 ’s design degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Suffolk University

11
Fitchburg State crest
Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Fitchburg State University ranked #11 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts list. Fitchburg State is a public institution located in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 Fitchburg State

12
Emmanuel Boston crest
Emmanuel College Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts

Emmanuel College Massachusetts did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #12. Emmanuel Boston is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 11 ’s design degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Emmanuel Boston Design & Applied Arts Report

13
Massasoit Community College crest
Massasoit Community College
Brockton, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #13, Massasoit Community College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts list. Massasoit Community College is a small school located in Brockton, Massachusetts that handed out 20 ’s design degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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%.

Full Massasoit Community College Design & Applied Arts Report

14
North Shore Community College crest
North Shore Community College
Danvers, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #14, North Shore Community College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts list. Located in Danvers, Massachusetts, this small public school awarded 11 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at North Shore Community College

15
BHCC crest
Bunker Hill Community College
Boston, Massachusetts

Bunker Hill Community College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts ranking. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 27 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Bunker Hill Community College

16
Middlesex Community College crest
Middlesex Community College
Bedford, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #16, Middlesex Community College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts list. Middlesex Community College is a medium-sized school located in Bedford, Massachusetts that handed out 23 ’s design degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%.

Full Middlesex Community College Design & Applied Arts Report

17
STCC crest
Springfield Technical Community College
Springfield, Massachusetts

Springfield Technical Community College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #17. Springfield, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 7 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 STCC

18
Assumption crest
Assumption University
Worcester, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #18, Assumption University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts list. Assumption is a small school located in Worcester, Massachusetts that handed out 11 ’s design degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Assumption University Design & Applied Arts Report

19
Northeastern crest
Northeastern University
Boston, Massachusetts

Northeastern University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts ranking. Northeastern is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 77 ’s design degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Northeastern University

20
Anna Maria crest
Anna Maria College
Paxton, Massachusetts

Anna Maria College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts ranking. Paxton, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s design degrees to 1 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Anna Maria

21

University of Massachusetts - Lowell ranked #21 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts list. Lowell, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 43 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at University of Massachusetts - Lowell

22
WPI crest
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, Massachusetts

Worcester Polytechnic Institute ranked #22 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts list. This medium-sized school is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, and it awarded 22 ’s design degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. 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%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

23
Quinsigamond Community College crest
Quinsigamond Community College
Worcester, Massachusetts

Quinsigamond Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts list. Located in Worcester, Massachusetts, this medium-sized public school handed out 12 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Quinsigamond Community College Design & Applied Arts Report

24
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts

Boston University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts ranking. Boston U is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 42 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Boston U

25
Springfield College crest
Springfield College
Springfield, Massachusetts

Springfield College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Design Major in Massachusetts ranking. Springfield College is a small school located in Springfield, Massachusetts that handed out 8 ’s design degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Springfield College Design & Applied Arts Report

Notes and References

References

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