Best Graphic Design Schools in Tennessee || The Art Career Project

Considering college and university choices is an important step for students who are considering how to build a successful career in graphic design. With more than 180 colleges and universities in Tennessee, choosing the school that is the best match for you can be challenging! Although there is no formal process for determining the best college for your needs, you can start by evaluating school rankings and guides to help you find the best fit.

Best Graphic Design Programs in Tennessee for 2019

Top 10 Graphic Design Programs in Tennessee

School rankings are based on data published by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), a system of surveys conducted annually by the U.S. Department of Education. Key factors include a commitment to high academic standards, return on investment, faculty ratings, and long-term employment statistics that track graduate success.

University of Memphis
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Belmont University
University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Watkins College of Art, Design & Film
Middle Tennessee State University
Lipscomb University
University of Tennessee, Martin
Nossi College of Art
Milligan College

Our Rankings

Graphic designers are experts who use both their artistic and technical skillsets to visually communicate messages. Formerly known as commercial or graphic artists, graphic designers work in virtually every industry, including music, science, utilities, and of course, advertising. Alone or as a team, graphic designers collect and assemble pictures, logos, and text in order to create the intended message both in print and digitally. Successful graphic designers can build and excite a plan to communicate a visual message. Strong artistic and technical skills are also required. Listed below are Tennessee colleges with excellent teaching reputations, and that continue to offer the best education for art students.

University of Memphis

The Graphic Design program at the University of Memphis teaches students to combine words and images into effective messages that inform, persuade, sell, and entertain. The program is unique because it blends together many fields of study, including art, technology, business, and culture.

VIEW PROFILE

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

The Graphic Design program at the University of Tennessee is focused on progressing graphic designers into innovators, collaborators, and entrepreneurs. The program is known for having a very small faculty-to-student ratio, which provides intensive, personalized courses to excel the next generation of visual communicators.

VIEW PROFILE

Belmont University

The Graphic Communications Bachelor Fine Arts degree at Belmont University is seen as one of the top programs in the entire country. The program consists of a diverse curriculum, including a variety of courses regarding art history, 3D design, typography, drawing, and much more.

VIEW PROFILE

University of Tennessee, Chattanooga

The University of Tennessee, Chattanooga Graphic Design program takes students down a path that will develop them into exceptional graphic designers. The program is known for focusing on a wide variety of different studies, including courses on rhetoric and composition, mathematics, humanities, and intensive design education.

VIEW PROFILE

Watkins College of Art, Design & Film

From the amazing faculty to the outstanding curriculum, the Graphic Design program at Watkins College of Art, Design & Film is seen as one of the leading programs in the nation. This 120-credit Bachelor of Fine Arts degree helps students to become well-rounded visual communicators.

VIEW PROFILE

Middle Tennessee State University

The Graphic Design Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Middle Tennessee State University helps students understand the creative process involved with solving a wide variety of visual-related problems in society. The program is known for an exceptional faculty, and one faculty member has recently won two prestigious University Awards.

VIEW PROFILE

Lipscomb University

Lipscomb University is happy to offer a top-notch Graphic Design program for students interested in visual communication. Students are taught how to utilize emerging technology while focusing on industry best practices. Grounded in a Christian worldview, students will learn to grow in the design principles of hand, eye, mind, and heart.

VIEW PROFILE

University of Tennessee, Martin

The University of Tennesee – Martin is happy to have one of the leading graphic design programs in the United States. This Graphic Design Studio Option degree allows students to practice other areas of art as it relates to their specific curriculum in Graphic Design.

VIEW PROFILE

Nossi College of Art

The Graphic Design program at Nossi College of Art teaches students to become fluent in both technical skills and strong creative thinking. After graduation, students will be able to obtain jobs in various areas of expertise, including web design, app development, motion graphics, and much more.

VIEW PROFILE

Milligan College

Students involved in the Graphic Design program at Milligan College will learn about the various elements of graphic design and how it applies to various forms of media throughout the world. Students will learn the fundamental and technical skills needed to solve graphic design problems.

VIEW PROFILE

Tennessee Employment & Jobs Outlook

Graduates who possess a degree as a graphic designer enter the job market with a portfolio of work that showcases a number of carefully developed skills. Useful in a variety of industries, every business will have need for a graphic designer at some point. According to employment trend publisher Careerinfonet.org, the employment rate for graphic designers is increasing year over year. Employment opportunities for graphic designers in Tennessee are good and are projected to increase by 4% which translates into 120 new job openings from year to year until 2020. This rate of new job growth is faster than the growth of many other professional fields.