Graphic Design Schools
Earning a graphic design degree can help you unlock your creativity and develop the professional-level skills you need to build a career with longevity and meaning.
Table of ContentsEarning a degree in graphic design is an ideal option for someone who has artistic talent and wants to develop the skills needed to become a professional graphic designer. Degree programs offer a balance of technical and traditional art studies, along with general education coursework in the humanities and social sciences. Together, this curriculum helps students learn the fundamentals of design process, practice, and theory, and hone their skills in typography, web design, motion graphics, and three-dimensional design. Students will also learn how to utilize modern software applications like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, and develop a sophisticated understanding of production for both print and digital media.
Types of Graphic Design
Degrees
A graphic design degree from an accredited college or university will provide you with the hands-on learning opportunities you need to hone your technical skills and provide you with the academic foundation to land your dream job. Graphic design programs can vary widely in structure, so it’s best to start by considering your career goals, personal interests, what type of design work you want to do post-graduation. A graphic design degree from an accredited college or university will provide you with the hands-on learning opportunities you need to hone your technical skills and provide you with the academic foundation to land your dream job. Graphic design programs can vary widely in structure, so it’s best to start by considering your career goals, personal interests, what type of design work you want to do post-graduation.
Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design
Many students struggle with the idea of dedicating four years to a degree program. Others may feel pressure to get a job sooner rather than later so they can start earning an income. An associate’s degree can be an ideal solution for students who want to learn the fundamentals in a relatively short period of time. The typical associate’s degree program takes approximately two years to complete and offers coursework that can help students gain the basic skills they need to work in entry-level positions.
Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design
A bachelor’s degree is a four-year degree program that guides students through a comprehensive skill-development process, preparing them for professional practice. Graphic design degree programs are a common higher education choice for prospective students who are looking for a balanced academic approach to traditional art studies along with opportunities to build industry-specific skills in digital and print media. The typical graphic design BFA program will help you acquire specialized knowledge in areas such as typography, user experience, user interface design, motion graphics, branding, print packaging, editorial design, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and more. You will also become proficient in the use of Adobe software programs and other industry-leading design applications like Sketch.
Master’s Degree in Graphic Design
A master’s degree is an advanced, graduate-level degree that typically takes 2-3 years to complete. Master’s programs help students with an undergraduate degree in design expand on existing knowledge or help learners from other disciplines enter a new field. When a student completes a master’s degree in graphic design it is said that they hold a terminal degree, which means that they have earned the highest degree available in their chosen field. Designers typically pursue a master’s degree to sharpen their abilities, learn more sophisticated design theory, and to improve their earning potential by unlocking greater job opportunities.
Graphic Design Certificate
A certificate program, also known as a professional education program, is a short series of highly focused courses providing in-depth study that can be completed in a year or less. Certificate programs are competency-based, which means that the learning objectives of the courses or modules are focused on building specific knowledge and skills for one facet of your profession. Graphic designers may pursue a certificate to gain a deeper understanding of the industry, to increase their value in the workplace, or to get a competitive edge in hiring and promoting situations. Many certificate programs do not offer academic credit, which may be applied to college and university degree programs. Instead, the result of a certificate program is typically an award of completion.
Degree Options
- Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design
- Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design
- Master’s Degree in Graphic Design
- Graphic Design Certificate
- Online Graphic Design Degree
The Best Graphic Design Schools of 2021
Earning a degree from one of the top design programs in the country can change the trajectory of your career. Students with a degree from one of the best schools in the U.S. use the academic experience and connections gained in college to unlock opportunities that only a prestigious institution can provide.
While many aspiring graphic design students have unique career objectives and personal interests in mind, there are a few factors that every student should consider when they begin their college search. A commitment to high academic standards, exceptional faculty, connections to the industry, state-of-the-art equipment, cost of tuition, and a proven track record of graduate success are just a few of the critical details that students should be asking about.
2021 Graphic Design School Rankings
Our list of top graphic design schools aims to measure what we believe college students care about the most. Will the college they choose provide them with a strong return-on-investment? Will their degree carry weight with employers and clients? Will they be able to earn enough money to support themselves after graduation? Will they be able to pay off their student debt? How likely are they to be successful in their chosen field?
To appear on this list, each school must demonstrate an exceptional track record of graduate success and meet strict criteria that seeks to measure overall return-on-investment (ROI).
- Rhode Island School of Design
- Parsons School of Design
- Pratt Institute
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- ArtCenter College of Design
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Savannah College of Art & Design
- School of Visual Arts
- Maryland Institute College of Art
- Minneapolis College of Art & Design
Scholarships for
Art Students
A degree from a top college or university can be very expensive. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately two-thirds of all students need financial aid to pay for school.
The Art Career Project provides scholarships, grants, and unbiased financial information to students who are pursuing the artistic careers of their dreams. Visit our scholarship page to apply for scholarships in your chosen field.
Find ScholarshipsHow to Choose a Graphic Design Program
There are hundreds of excellent, accredited graphic design programs across the country that can help you nurture the skills you need to become a graphic designer. Many of these programs may seem very similar on the surface, which makes it important for you to dig a little deeper to understand the differences that will impact your experience and outcome.
Together, with the help of graphic design pros and members of the higher education community, we have assembled a list of important criteria students should consider before choosing a school, including the following:
Institutional & Program Accreditation
Selecting a school with institutional and program level accreditation is an essential first step for any student considering a degree in graphic design. “Accreditation” refers to the external quality review of higher education programs and institutions by independent accrediting agencies who ensure that a school satisfies standards for value, consistency, and integrity.
For students entering the field of design, the two accrediting agencies to know are the National Association of Art and Design (NASAD) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Selecting a graphic design program that is accredited by either of these trusted authorities is one of the best ways to ensure that the program you enroll in has a track record of preparing students to succeed in the real-world and that the degree you earn will be respected by future employers and other educational institutions.
Program Offerings and Curriculum
Whether you plan on earning an associate’s degree or making the investment in a master’s degree program, it is important that you closely examine the school’s curriculum to make sure the course material aligns with your interests. All prospective graphic design students, especially those who are interested in a specific area of design, should review the program curriculum course-by-course to make sure that the school provides enough breadth and depth in the major to support their career goals. Top graphic design schools will stand out for their broad course curriculum and allow students with diverse interests to pursue electives, minors, and double majors in a variety of areas.
Access to the Latest Graphic Design Software
You may be an extremely creative person, but if you haven’t mastered the latest graphic design software, you won’t have the technical skills to bring your ideas to life. That’s why proficiency with the latest design applications and production equipment is one the most important skills you will develop while earning a graphic design degree.
Every graphic design program will offer instruction in some version of design software, but without training in professional-level, industry-standard software it will be very difficult for you to be successful. To ensure that you receive the full educational benefits of working with modern technology, inquire with the school you are considering to find out exactly which software you will be using.
Hands-On, Practical Learning Experiences
Art is not strictly theory or something you can learn about through lectures and textbooks alone. Watching demonstrations and analyzing designs is an important part of your development as an artist, but conceptual learning will only get you so far. It is important that graphic design schools place an emphasis on practical, hands-on learning that balances applied experiences with design theory. Gaining experience producing artwork in a variety of different mediums and styles is essential for success. Look for schools that enable students to work hands-on with professional design software and offer internship opportunities where students can boost their design skills in a real-world setting.
Help Building a Strong Portfolio
When you begin the transition from college to the real world, your portfolio will be one of the most crucial factors in landing your dream design job. If you have a weak portfolio, it will be difficult for you to get your design career off the ground. The best graphic design programs integrate hands-on learning into their curriculum, which gives students an opportunity to produce a variety of artwork and create an impressive portfolio that future employers will love.
Additional Resources
- What Should I Look for in a Good Graphic Design School?
- 10 Reasons You Should Go to Art School
- 10 Reasons an Online Art Degree May Be Right for You
- 11 Web Certifications That Are Worth Looking Into
- How Graphic Designers Tell Stories with Design
- Essential Tools for Beginners in Graphic Design
- Five Surprising Industries That Need Graphic Designers
- 10 Overlooked Traits of a Great Graphic Designer
Find Schools in Your State
There are over 600 institutions in the United States that offer some type of instruction in graphic design, including community/junior colleges, degree-granting colleges and universities, and non-degree granting schools. To find programs in your state, please use the search function on this page to access a database of accredited programs. You may also view detailed information and ranking lists for schools in each state by clicking any of the links below
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