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2022 Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts in the Great Lakes Region

128 Colleges in the Great Lakes Region
3,166 Bachelor's Degrees
$31,681 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a bachelor's degree in design and applied arts, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #27 most popular program in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

For its 2022 ranking, College Factual looked at 128 schools in the Great Lakes Region to determine which ones were the most popular for design and applied arts students pursuing a bachelor's degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 3,166 bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts during the 2019-2020 academic year.

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Choosing a Great Design & Applied Arts School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts in the Great Lakes Region The design bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. One of the reasons we created our Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts in the Great Lakes Region ranking is to help you make that choice.

Being popular does not always equate to overall quality, but a school with a large number of design and applied arts students usually has them for a reason. This may be due to it being a great value, it offering a stellar educational experience, or the subject is a major focus of the school.

More Ways to Rank Design & Applied Arts Schools

Associate Degrees in Design
Master's Degrees in Design
Doctor's Degrees in Design
Overall Popularity in Design

This ranking is just one of the many we have created. First of all, if you are interested in other degree levels, you may want to take a look at one of the rankings highlighted above. Also, if you are interested in attending school in a specific part of the country, see our rankings by location. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for design and applied arts.

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.

Learn about the most popular colleges and universities for design and applied arts students seeking a a bachelor's degree. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

19 Most Well Attended Schools for Design Students Working on Their Bachelor's

1
272 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IL
#8 Best Quality In IL

Columbia College Chicago is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in design and applied arts. Located in the large city of Chicago, Columbia is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #8 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Illinois.

There were roughly 272 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the design program state that they receive average early career earnings of $27,200.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Columbia College Chicago

2
234 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In OH
#5 Best Quality In OH

Kent State University at Kent is one of the most popular schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in design and applied arts. Kent State is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Kent. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Ohio.

There were approximately 234 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Kent State in the most recent year we have data available.

Those design and applied arts students who get their bachelor's degree from Kent State University at Kent earn $4,319 more than the average design grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Kent State University at Kent

3
205 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In OH
#1 Best Quality In OH

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus if you want to pursue a bachelor's degree in design and applied arts. UC is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Cincinnati. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Ohio.

There were roughly 205 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at UC in the most recent data year.

Design & Applied Arts bachelor's degree recipients from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus get an earnings boost of around $12,619 above the typical earnings of design and applied arts majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

4
168 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MI
#1 Best Quality In MI

Every student pursuing a degree in a bachelor's degree in design and applied arts has to look into College for Creative Studies. Located in the large city of Detroit, CCS is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Michigan.

There were approximately 168 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at CCS in the most recent year we have data available.

Design & Applied Arts bachelor's degree recipients from College for Creative Studies receive an earnings boost of about $7,519 above the average earnings of design and applied arts graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from College for Creative Studies

5
154 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In WI
#2 Best Quality In WI

UW - Stout is a moderately-sized public university located in the distant town of Menomonie. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Wisconsin.

There were approximately 154 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at UW - Stout in the most recent data year.

Those design and applied arts students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Wisconsin - Stout earn $4,119 more than the average design grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from University of Wisconsin - Stout

6
125 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In OH
#9 Best Quality In OH

Located in the city of Columbus, CCAD is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #9 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Ohio.

There were approximately 125 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at CCAD in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the design program earn around $24,200 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Columbus College of Art and Design

7
108 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In IL
#1 Best Quality In IL

Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Illinois.

There were roughly 108 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent data year.

Design & Applied Arts bachelor's degree recipients from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign get an earnings boost of approximately $8,519 over the typical income of design and applied arts graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

8
91 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In WI
#3 Best Quality In WI

Located in the large city of Milwaukee, MIAD is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Wisconsin.

There were roughly 91 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at MIAD in the most recent year we have data available.

Soon after graduating, design bachelor's recipients typically earn around $32,400 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design

9
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
86 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MI
#3 Best Quality In MI

Located in the small city of East Lansing, Michigan State is a public university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Michigan.

There were approximately 86 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent data year.

Design & Applied Arts bachelor's degree recipients from Michigan State University receive an earnings boost of around $2,419 over the typical income of design and applied arts graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Michigan State University

10
DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
85 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In IL
#7 Best Quality In IL

Located in the city of Chicago, DePaul is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #7 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Illinois.

There were approximately 85 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at DePaul in the most recent data year.

Those design and applied arts students who get their bachelor's degree from DePaul University make $6,019 more than the average design grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from DePaul University

11
79 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IN
#4 Best Quality In IN

IU Bloomington is a very large public university located in the city of Bloomington. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Indiana.

There were about 79 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the design program state that they receive average early career income of $32,500.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Indiana University - Bloomington

12
Ferris crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI
73 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In MI
#6 Best Quality In MI

Ferris is a fairly large public university located in the distant town of Big Rapids. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #6 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Michigan.

There were approximately 73 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Ferris in the most recent year we have data available.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the design program earn about $30,200 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Ferris State University

13
69 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In OH
#3 Best Quality In OH

Miami University - Oxford is a large public university located in the town of Oxford. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Ohio.

There were approximately 69 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Miami University - Oxford in the most recent data year.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Miami University - Oxford

14
68 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In IL
#5 Best Quality In IL

UIC is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Chicago. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Illinois.

There were approximately 68 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at UIC in the most recent year we have data available.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the design program state that they receive average early career income of $25,100.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from University of Illinois at Chicago

15
60 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In OH

CIA is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland.

There were about 60 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at CIA in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Cleveland Institute of Art

16
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
58 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In MI
#8 Best Quality In MI

Oakland is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Rochester Hills. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #8 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Michigan.

There were roughly 58 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Oakland in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the design program make about $32,700 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Oakland University

17
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
57 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In MI
#5 Best Quality In MI

Central Michigan is a fairly large public university located in the distant town of Mount Pleasant. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Michigan.

There were about 57 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Central Michigan in the most recent year we have data available.

Design & Applied Arts bachelor's degree recipients from Central Michigan University receive an earnings boost of around $3,619 over the average earnings of design and applied arts majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Central Michigan University

18
56 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#6 Most Popular In OH
#11 Best Quality In OH

BGSU is a large public university located in the fringe town of Bowling Green.

There were about 56 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at BGSU in the most recent data year.

Bachelor's recipients from the design and applied arts major at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus earn $2,119 above the average graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

19
43 Annual Bachelor's Degrees
#7 Most Popular In OH
#4 Best Quality In OH

Ohio State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Columbus. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #4 in quality for bachelor's degrees in design and applied arts in Ohio.

There were roughly 43 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent year we have data available.

Those design and applied arts students who get their bachelor's degree from Ohio State University - Main Campus make $8,819 more than the average design grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in design and applied arts from Ohio State University - Main Campus

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
25 Ball State University Muncie, IN
20 Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN
21 University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN
22 Bradley University Peoria, IL
23 Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MI
24 University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI
25 Ball State University Muncie, IN

Best Design & Applied Arts Colleges by State

Explore the most popular design and applied arts colleges for a specific state in the Great Lakes Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Michigan 255 628
Ohio 246 1,055
Illinois 231 668
Indiana 227 321
Wisconsin 209 412

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
Graphic Design 895
Interior Design 453
Fashion Design 400
Industrial Design 371
Commercial & Advertising Art 293
Illustration 266
Game & Interactive Media Design 234
Visual Communications 228
Other Design & Applied Arts 19
Commercial Photography 7

Majors Similar to Design

Related Major Annual Graduates
Fine & Studio Arts 3,805
Music 2,336
Drama & Theater Arts 2,084
Film, Video & Photographic Arts 1,384
Arts & Media Management 424
Dance 329
General Visual & Performing Arts 221
Other Visual Art 112
Crafts, Folk Art & Artisanry 21

Notes and References

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