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2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts

132 Colleges in the United States
1,987 Master's Degrees
$45,264 Avg Early-Career Salary
A master's degree in design and applied arts is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #74 out of 326 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.

For its 2022 ranking, College Factual looked at 132 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the most popular for design and applied arts students pursuing a master's degree. Combined, these schools handed out 1,987 master's degrees in design and applied arts to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Other Rankings

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

Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts Your choice of school for getting your master's degree in design matters. As an aid in helping you pick the right school for you, we created our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts ranking.

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. Sometimes this is because the school offers a great educational experience, it is a good value, or it is highly focused on the program.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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

We have also developed a number of other rankings to help guide you in your decision-making process. To begin with, if this is not the degree level you are most interested in, you may want to check out one of the others noted above. If you would prefer to limit your search to a specific state or region of the county, see our rankings by location. Plus, you can view our other rankings for design and applied arts.

Below you'll see a list of the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a master's degree in design and applied arts. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

20 Most Well Attended Schools for Design Students Working on Their Master's

1
220 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In GA
#2 Best Quality In GA

Savannah College of Art and Design is one of the most popular schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in design and applied arts. Located in the city of Savannah, SCAD is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in design and applied arts in Georgia.

There were roughly 220 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at SCAD in the most recent data year.

Master's students who receive their degree from the design program earn around $38,000 in their early career salary.

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

2
148 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MD
#1 Best Quality In MD

Every student who is interested in a master's degree in design and applied arts needs to check out Maryland Institute College of Art. MICA is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large city of Baltimore. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in design and applied arts in Maryland.

There were approximately 148 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at MICA in the most recent year we have data available.

Master's recipients from the design and applied arts major at Maryland Institute College of Art earn $17,036 above the average graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a master’s in design and applied arts from Maryland Institute College of Art

3
145 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NY
#3 Best Quality In NY

Pratt Institute - Main is one of the most popular schools in the country for getting a master's degree in design and applied arts. Pratt Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Brooklyn. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in design and applied arts in New York.

There were roughly 145 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Pratt Institute in the most recent year we have data available.

Master's recipients from the design and applied arts major at Pratt Institute - Main earn $5,536 above the average graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a master’s in design and applied arts from Pratt Institute - Main

4
Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA
102 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CA
#6 Best Quality In CA

Academy of Art University is a popular choice for individuals interested in a master's degree in design and applied arts. Academy of Art University is a medium-sized private for-profit university located in the city of San Francisco. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for master's degrees in design and applied arts in California.

There were roughly 102 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Academy of Art University in the most recent year we have data available.

Soon after graduation, design master's recipients typically make around $41,800 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a master’s in design and applied arts from Academy of Art University

5
Full Sail University crest
Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL
88 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In FL
#5 Best Quality In FL

Full Sail University is a fairly large private for-profit university located in the large suburb of Winter Park. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #5 in quality for master's degrees in design and applied arts in Florida.

There were approximately 88 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Full Sail University in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduating, design master's recipients typically earn around $38,200 in their early careers.

More information about a master’s in design and applied arts from Full Sail University

6
New School University crest
The New School
New York, NY
75 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NY
#7 Best Quality In NY

Located in the large city of New York, New School University is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #7 in quality for master's degrees in design and applied arts in New York.

There were approximately 75 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at New School University in the most recent year we have data available.

Master's recipients from the design and applied arts major at The New School earn $14,736 more than the average college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a master’s in design and applied arts from The New School

7
57 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In NY
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type

NYSID is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New York.

There were roughly 57 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at NYSID in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in design and applied arts from New York School of Interior Design

8
50 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In NY
#5 Best Quality In NY

SVA is a small private for-profit school located in the city of New York. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for master's degrees in design and applied arts in New York.

There were about 50 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at SVA in the most recent year we have data available.

Design & Applied Arts master's degree recipients from School of Visual Arts get an earnings boost of about $23,336 over the typical income of design and applied arts majors.

More information about a master’s in design and applied arts from School of Visual Arts

9
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
45 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In VA
#4 Best Quality In VA

Liberty University is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Lynchburg. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for master's degrees in design and applied arts in Virginia.

There were approximately 45 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in design and applied arts from Liberty University

10
44 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In CA
#3 Best Quality In CA

Located in the large city of San Francisco, California College of the Arts is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in design and applied arts in California.

There were approximately 44 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at California College of the Arts in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in design and applied arts from California College of the Arts

11
41 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AZ
#1 Best Quality In AZ

Located in the midsize city of Tempe, ASU - Tempe is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in design and applied arts in Arizona.

There were approximately 41 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at ASU - Tempe in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their master's from the design program state that they receive average early career wages of $40,600.

More information about a master’s in design and applied arts from Arizona State University - Tempe

12
35 Annual Master's Degrees
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
$16,200 Median Salary

Atlantic University College is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Guaynabo.

There were roughly 35 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Atlantic University College in the most recent year we have data available.

After graduating, design master's recipients typically make an average of $16,200 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a master’s in design and applied arts from Atlantic University College

13
29 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In CA
#4 Best Quality In CA

Art Center College of Design is a small private not-for-profit college located in the midsize city of Pasadena. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for master's degrees in design and applied arts in California.

There were roughly 29 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Art Center College of Design in the most recent year we have data available.

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

14
28 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In PA
#1 Best Quality In PA

Carnegie Mellon is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Pittsburgh. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in design and applied arts in Pennsylvania.

There were roughly 28 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in design and applied arts from Carnegie Mellon University

15
25 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In CA
#1 Best Quality In CA

Located in the city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in design and applied arts in California.

There were about 25 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in design and applied arts from University of Southern California

15
25 Annual Master's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In NY
#6 Best Quality In NY

FIT SUNY is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New York. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for master's degrees in design and applied arts in New York.

There were about 25 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at FIT SUNY in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in design and applied arts from Fashion Institute of Technology

17
24 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In DC
#2 Best Quality In DC

Located in the city of Washington, GWU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for master's degrees in design and applied arts in District of Columbia.

There were approximately 24 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at GWU in the most recent data year.

Master's recipients from the design and applied arts degree program at George Washington University earn $5,036 above the typical college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a master’s in design and applied arts from George Washington University

17
24 Annual Master's Degrees
#6 Most Popular In NY
#4 Best Quality In NY

Located in the large suburb of Rochester, RIT is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for master's degrees in design and applied arts in New York.

There were roughly 24 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at RIT in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in design and applied arts from Rochester Institute of Technology

17
24 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In AZ
#2 Best Quality In AZ

ASU - Skysong is a very large public university located in the city of Scottsdale. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in design and applied arts in Arizona.

There were roughly 24 design and applied arts students who graduated with this degree at ASU - Skysong in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their master's from the design program state that they receive average early career earnings of $40,600.

More information about a master’s in design and applied arts from Arizona State University - Skysong

17
24 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IA
#1 Best Quality In IA

Iowa State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Ames. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in design and applied arts in Iowa.

There were approximately 24 design and applied arts individuals who graduated with this degree at Iowa State in the most recent year we have data available.

Master's graduates who receive their degree from the design program make about $44,000 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a master’s in design and applied arts from Iowa State University

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Design & Applied Arts students that almost earned our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts award.

Rank College Location
21 Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GA
22 Boston University Boston, MA
23 Auburn University Auburn, AL
24 University of Baltimore Baltimore, MD
24 School of the Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, IL
24 Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA
24 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC

Design & Applied Arts by Region

View the Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

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

Design Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Visual Communications 459
Other Design & Applied Arts 293
Interior Design 271
Graphic Design 254
Industrial Design 233
Illustration 212
Fashion Design 144
Game & Interactive Media Design 94
Commercial & Advertising Art 15
Commercial Photography 12

Related Major Annual Graduates
Music 6,038
Fine & Studio Arts 3,082
Film, Video & Photographic Arts 1,837
Drama & Theater Arts 1,684
Arts & Media Management 1,155
General Visual & Performing Arts 355
Other Visual Art 291
Dance 219
Crafts, Folk Art & Artisanry 6

Notes and References

Popular Reports

College Rankings
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Degree Guides by Major
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