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2018 Best Colleges for Design in AmericaAbout this List

The Best Colleges for Design majors ranking is based on key statistics and student reviews using data from the U.S. Department of Education. The ranking compares the top design schools in the U.S. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

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  1. University of Southern California

    • 4 Year
    • Los Angeles, CA
    • 3,465
    1 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Senior: I LOVE this school. The professors are amazing and are always willing to meet with their students to give them additional help. There are tons of club activities and extracurricular activities to join. There is something here for everyone. Additionally, the staff is so nice and helpful! The health center is amazing and the food options in the area are great! It isn't in the nicest area, but the school does a great job of keeping their students safe.
    Read 3,465 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 17% Acceptance Rate
    • $32,932 Net Price
    • 1280-1500 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  2. Rhode Island School of Design

    • 4 Year
    • Providence, RI
    • 305
    2 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Freshman: As a Freshman at RISD, my perspective of RISD as a whole is limited. However, from what I've experienced, it's been overwhelmingly positive. The professors here are all skilled in a different areas, which makes Foundation year a very broad and interdisciplinary year. Indeed, students who want to focus on only one area of study find it tedious, but I found it very eye-opening. After all, I got the chance to work with mediums from paint to wood, which I've never touched. One truly exemplary part of RISD is the dining: they're very open to all types of eaters, and are open to change. If the food doesn't cover a wide enough spectrum, then there are methods of contacting the MET in order to change that. The MET staff are very kind and friendly, always open to conversation.
    Read 305 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 34% Acceptance Rate
    • $39,389 Net Price
    • 1080-1340 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  3. Washington University in St. Louis

    • 4 Year
    • Saint Louis, MO
    • 1,369
    3 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Senior: WashU has opened up a lot of doors for me in terms of career exploration and pursuit. They have fantastic opportunities for research, community engagement, and intellectual pursuit. I think that they prepare their students well for life post-graduation, but I do think that the school needs to work on its accessibility to students from more diverse socioeconomic backgrounds!
    Read 1,369 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 17% Acceptance Rate
    • $28,824 Net Price
    • 1400-1570 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  5. Carnegie Mellon University

    • 4 Year
    • Pittsburgh, PA
    • 1,335
    4 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Alum: Carnegie Mellon is tough, no doubt about it. But it's also a place where you'll be pushed and surrounded by other talented and passionate people working hard too. You bond over that and I made awesome friends who will always be close no matter the years and distance. It can be very stressful, but making it through did convince me that I could persevere through anything, something that has benefitted me a lot out in the working world. I'll always prefer to hire CMU graduates because I of this.

    Sports? Nah. Don't go there for sports. Campus? A lot better now then when I was there! Dorms? They're OK but moved off campus after 1st year. Parties? Well my group of friends had a lot of house parties but this was more Art, Design, Drama and random stragglers group ;) Pittsburgh? Wasn't convinced at the time (wanted to be in NYC) but it's a good place to go to school - enough to do, fairly safe, pretty cheap to live, plenty of arts and culture if you want it, decent food, etc.
    Read 1,335 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 22% Acceptance Rate
    • $35,250 Net Price
    • 1380-1550 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  6. University of California - Los Angeles

    • 4 Year
    • Los Angeles, CA
    • 4,655
    5 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Freshman: The University of California, Los Angeles is a premier university that offers not only quality academic instruction, but also a plethora of opportunities to apply in real life whatever is picked up in lessons; this includes internship and undergraduate research prospects. UCLA boasts one of the largest and the most diverse student bodies in USA, and structures its funds in a very planned and careful manner to ensure that the student has the best experience while on campus. With Hollywood just down a few miles and the Santa Monica beach around, one can expect pleasant surprises almost every time! Overall, I feel proud to be a part of this great dream which is making significant contributions in making this world a better place. I hope I can be of service to the society of people in UCLA. All said, Go Bruins!
    Read 4,655 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 18% Acceptance Rate
    • $14,236 Net Price
    • 1160-1470 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  7. California Institute of the Arts

    • 4 Year
    • Valencia, CA
    • 246
    6 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Freshman: The best part of being a student at California Institute of the Arts is that you are free to express anything you want, including going to class naked. You have the right for almost anything, the school is full of creativity. There are rarely any wrong answers. Mainly of the people are open minded, free to be who you truly are. Very accepting people all around. The professors are kind, you could speak to them about anything and will be helpful. It doesn't feel anything like High School, to me attending Calarts has given me a lot of freedom to do what I wish with my personal life and my practice. You may take any class you are interested in even if it is not your major. The only thing wrong about this school is that, it is not a diverse school. Thursday nights, which is gallery night is typically party time.
    Read 246 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 24% Acceptance Rate
    • $50,472 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?
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  9. Pratt Institute

    • 4 Year
    • Brooklyn, NY
    • 750
    7 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Niche User: I went for a campus tour, and the experience was great! The reception was very nice, got us on a tour very fast. Two tour guides (students studying at Pratt) took us on a 2-hour tour, answering our questions while giving great information about the institution. The campus is beautiful, definitely a calm getaway from the busyness of New York city, with inspiring sculptures around a very green area. The studios looked very professional, and the security system is very fast and trustworthy.
    Read 750 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 58% Acceptance Rate
    • $44,244 Net Price
    • 1040-1290 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  10. Cornell University

    • 4 Year
    • Ithaca, NY
    • 1,784
    8 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Alum: Below are 3 things I consider Cornell as a great investment.
    1. reputation
    Every people, including people at work, recognizes me as a "smart Cornell girl"
    2. Food
    Food in Cornell is very delicious. It is just like a buffet! Compared to all other school cafeterias I have visited, I think Cornell has one of the best campus foods in the United States.
    3. Friends / Networks
    Of course friends and networks are the most important above all. Because it is a private Ivy-league school, all smart and mostly above middle class students gather around school networks, which I assume will be very powerful for future career.
    Read 1,784 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 14% Acceptance Rate
    • $30,014 Net Price
    • 1330-1530 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  11. Northeastern University

    • 4 Year
    • Boston, MA
    • 3,235
    9 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Freshman: Northeastern University is absolutely amazing! It wasn't really at the forefront of my mind but I'm so glad I decided to go here. I did the NU-in program and had a great time in London. My experience at the university has been super positive when it comes to academics and my social life. The professors are hard working and qualified, the people are friendly, there are a lot of kids from all over the world, and the campus is awesome! Most students come to Northeastern because of the co-op program which is the most significant part of the university. The university does a really great job of preparing students for the workplace and makes sure you are qualified and competitive when it is your time to apply for them. I would recommend this university to students who are social, hard-working and competitive.
    Read 3,235 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 29% Acceptance Rate
    • $29,998 Net Price
    • 1330-1510 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  14. Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles

    • 4 Year
    • Los Angeles, CA
    • 551
    10 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Graduate Student: Great teachers and curriculum! Small classes mean more time to pay attention and learn the various subjects they have to offer. Also, lifetime access to the career center is a plus!
    Read 551 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 41% Acceptance Rate
    • $37,959 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  15. University of Texas - Austin

    • 4 Year
    • Austin, TX
    • 5,664
    11 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Junior: In one sentence:there.is.something.for.everyone! UT Austin is simply the best in making a large school feeling immediately smaller by the countless communities you can jump right into. From political to adventurous student organizations, to meeting the very brightest professors and students in your chosen field, you will never cease to be amazed by the unlimited amount of opportunities available to you. For instance, I am a double major in Government and International Relations and Global Studies and am continuously amazed at the amount of programs, events, lectures , courses, and books available just for students in those majors. Your college's department of Career Services will blow you away as well, they will provide any and all resources to ensure your success after graduation. Most of all, UT is a highly respected university in the state of Texas and beyond, a degree from UT will go a very long way! I highly recommend studying here.
    Read 5,664 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 40% Acceptance Rate
    • $16,010 Net Price
    • 1140-1410 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  16. University of North Carolina School of the Arts

    • 4 Year
    • Winston-Salem, NC
    • 236
    12 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Junior: Knowledgeable faculty and plenty of resources. While it’s hard work, you won’t find another place quite like it!
    Read 236 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 54% Acceptance Rate
    • $13,452 Net Price
    • 1030-1240 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  18. Art Center College of Design

    • 4 Year
    • Pasadena, CA
    • 282
    13 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Niche User: I took summer classes at Art Center College of Design for Animation. I learned a lot and was able to have fun working on my craft at the same time. Our instructor was great and I'd love to go back and take more classes. I am going to be enrolled at the school full time soon as a freshmen. It was a difficult choice for me because they don't have on campus housing. This seems to be a big deal in middle class present day American culture to have that "college experience" where you live in away from home for the first time. Luckily, my parents live in the LA area and I wouldn't mind the commute. I'd imagine it's more difficult on a tight budget for those whose homes are so far away they'd have to pay rent in the area in freshmen year.
    Read 282 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 69% Acceptance Rate
    • $43,814 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  19. Fashion Institute of Technology

    • 4 Year
    • New York, NY
    • 1,433
    14 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Sophomore: Of all the things I love about the Fashion Institute of Technology, is the harmony of living and learning in an environment that is safe and welcoming. It is an absolute treasure being able to learn from and socialize with people from all walks of life, different colors, ethnicities, different sexual orientations, etc. Everyone is so welcoming and open-minded, willing to explore far beyond the bounds they've known for so long. In addition to exploring, there is also willingness to begin anew and let go. This school is like a breath of fresh air, and I'm honored to have the opportunity to learn more and do more!
    Read 1,433 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 40% Acceptance Rate
    • $10,430 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  20. University of Notre Dame

    • 4 Year
    • Notre Dame, IN
    • 1,251
    15 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Alum: Notre Dame is an amazing place to get a high quality education with great reputation and close-knit community feel with fun and spirited student life. It’s not necessary to be Catholic and people who aren’t religious at all won’t feel excluded, but it is especially amazing for people who are religious. I myself am not very religious but was raised in the faith and do appreciate it, so I enjoyed being around it and taking the required Theology and Philosophy courses. Everyone is extremely nice and collaborative! Very smart people here and caring professors. Single sex dorms is a negative as well as less opportunities for medical professions, as there is no hospital or medical focus here. I would say it’s best for business, engineering, or liberal arts. Although science is still good here and people get into great grad programs no matter what they want to continue on studying!
    Read 1,251 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 19% Acceptance Rate
    • $26,683 Net Price
    • 1350-1540 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  21. College for Creative Studies

    • 4 Year
    • Detroit, MI
    • 514
    16 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Senior: I love this school even though it can kind of be awful. The resources are fantastic, the technology, the wood shop, metal shop, foundry, ceramic studio, glass shop, just so many great things! It is a very challenging institution, particularly during the freshman year. It is a small school, so it is easy to form a bond with a lot of the students, especially since the students tend to be quite like-minded. The school can kind of stink depending on what major the student chooses. It is a great design school, fantastic for product designers, but the majors that are not so design based kind of get the short end of the stick. I have lived in the student housing for 4 years. They are improving it and renovating it, but unfortunately I have had to live in the construction. The campus is safe, the professors are great (usually), and it is a very inspiring place to be.
    Read 514 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 47% Acceptance Rate
    • $35,274 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  22. Otis College of Art and Design

    • 4 Year
    • Los Angeles, CA
    • 597
    17 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Freshman: As someone who is looking for a rigorous school , Otis College of Art and Design was a great pick. As a college freshman at Otis, the Foundation year has roved extremely helpful in refining my skills and easing me into the workload and high expectations. The schools' small and compact campus gives this very unified and focused environment that differs strongly from other schools with larger campuses and enormous enrollment rates. Furthermore, Otis has extraordinarily talented professors with years of professional experience within their area of skill.
    Read 597 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 93% Acceptance Rate
    • $39,413 Net Price
    • 920-1180 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  25. O'More College of Design

    • 4 Year
    • Franklin, TN
    • 52
    18 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Sophomore: O'more is wonderful when it comes to meeting incredibly talented people. All my professors have had a lot of experience and have a lot of feedback to share. It's such a small school, that all your classes end up being studio and one on one time. Which is great for the major, and the student. Although some professors were greatly talented you could tell that they weren't educators. They could sure design but couldn't seem to communicate well with students. A lot of project would be miscommunicated leading to falling behind on the syllabus and sometimes even cutting out a project completely. Of course the school already knows of the issue, so most professors don't last one year. I'd like to see better professors at O'more. But I understand why it's so hard.
    Read 52 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 69% Acceptance Rate
    • $21,288 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  26. New York School of Interior Design

    • 4 Year
    • New York, NY
    • 54
    19 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Niche User: The atmosphere of this university is just awesome. ...............................................................................................
    Read 54 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 35% Acceptance Rate
    • $32,450 Net Price
    • 895-1083 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  27. Rochester Institute of Technology

    • 4 Year
    • Rochester, NY
    • 2,370
    20 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Freshman: Rochester Institute of Technology was my dream college. I live in Buffalo, so I'm not too far from home. RIT has an incredibly welcoming environment. All of the faculty (including RAs and the health center faculty) I have met has been extremely helpful. Most are really great about responding to students ASAP. I love the diversity here as well. Diversity was unheard of back home (I lived in rural Wheatfield, NY). My college experience has been wonderful so far. I have no complaints besides the price of the tuition. I highly recommend this university!
    Read 2,370 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 55% Acceptance Rate
    • $29,111 Net Price
    • 1140-1330 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  28. Laguna College of Art & Design

    • 4 Year
    • Laguna Beach, CA
    • 193
    21 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Freshman: Beautiful mountains and an extremely gorgeous ocean view makes LCAD one of the most natural and refreshing college. Consisting of a very vigorous academic system only improves the students ability. The school provides so many utilities just for the students such as cintiqs, drawing tablets, computer rooms, a huge library full of comfortable chairs, multiple rooms for the students use, and transit for to transfer between campuses. This school provides only the best, experienced teachers who love teaching their students. Providing many free events for their students to help aid them along their education and career. Even taking it as far as to plan job events at the campus that has Disney, Blizzard, and other companies to attend and hire students.
    Read 193 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 39% Acceptance Rate
    • $34,863 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  29. School of Visual Arts

    • 4 Year
    • New York, NY
    • 457
    22 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Freshman: The School of Visual Arts, the best art school in the world. As an International student from Israel, I can say that the school’s stuff was more than fantastic and welcoming. I had some struggles to adapt to study in a new language, but with the help of the Writing Resource Center and the free tutoring classes, My English got so much better. As a photographer, I feel that my skills gained so improved with the help of my awesome studio class teacher and the exciting critics in my workshop class. As an artist, I’ve never felt more connected to my art in this great school at the best location in the world.
    Read 457 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 74% Acceptance Rate
    • $42,742 Net Price
    • 935-1230 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  32. Georgia Institute of Technology

    • 4 Year
    • Atlanta, GA
    • 1,897
    23 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Sophomore: The application process is done in such a way that students that not only have academic prowess but also several other talents and passions makes this campus a truly diverse experience. There are a lot of philanthropic opportunities, as well as many clubs that give leadership lessons in whatever the student desires. Because Georgia Tech is a world-class campus, the opportunities offered to the students are many and are also well-funded for those who do not have a lot of money themselves. Because of this, over half of the student body participates in a program of campus before they graduate, which will normally be things like an internship, co-op, or studying abroad. The professors at this institute are extremely knowledgable in what they teach and most make an effort to meet the student where they need in order to further their academic progress. Overall, everyone on campus strives for greatness and bringing something into the world that helps them accomplish their dreams. Go Jackets!
    Read 1,897 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 26% Acceptance Rate
    • $13,340 Net Price
    • 1320-1500 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  33. Woodbury University

    • 4 Year
    • Burbank, CA
    • 395
    24 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Junior: Woodbury University is a great university, especially for Architecture. Education is great. Student life is pretty good but food options can improve as well as overall service university provides. Love my school always!
    Read 395 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 66% Acceptance Rate
    • $30,399 Net Price
    • 860-1115 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  34. Savannah College of Art & Design

    • 4 Year
    • Savannah, GA
    • 2,915
    25 Best Colleges for Design in America

    Sophomore: SCAD has an amazing campus with many hardworking teachers. You'll definitely get out what you put into your work/projects!
    However, there are some minor concerns about the school I've experienced. While the campus is gorgeous and spread out, around the dorms there's little to no cleanup. SCAD outdoor elevators seem to grow sludge and a foul stench after the first week or two of school. Lastly, while nearly all of the teachers are an absolute delight to learn from, there are a few that push their political/social bias onto the students or aren't quite able to teach nor put in real effort.
    Other than that, if I was a graduating high school again and needed to pick a college, I would definitely pick SCAD all over again.
    Read 2,915 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 72% Acceptance Rate
    • $40,856 Net Price
    • 950-1190 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?
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