2019 Best Colleges for Design in AmericaAbout this List

University of Southern California

• 4 Year
• Los Angeles, CA
• 3,560 reviews

Freshman: USC is an amazing school in terms of academics. There's definitely a higher standard and you have to work for your grades but you come out having learned a lot. Because it is a private school with lots of appeal in the heart of Los Angeles, it does attract a fair share of ignorant, privileged people. However, you can definitely find genuine people, just keep looking and being you! USC has so many perks and resources and I highly recommend getting involved whether it be sports or clubs! The professors are very experienced and amazing.
Read 3,560 Reviews

• A+

• 17% Acceptance Rate
• $32,892 Net Price
• 1300-1500 SAT Range

Rhode Island School of Design

• 4 Year
• Providence, RI
• 315 reviews

Alum: Excellent environment to grow artistically. Programs are rigorous and quite demanding on your time and skill levels. School is more for students who are brainy and critical thinkers so if you are just trying to build technical skills, this school is not for you. You'll run into best of the best many times over so it challenges you to be better! Campus life is so much fun and quite unique.
Read 315 Reviews

• A

• 32% Acceptance Rate
• $39,777 Net Price
• 1130-1370 SAT Range

Washington University in St. Louis

• 4 Year
• Saint Louis, MO
• 1,408 reviews

Niche User: This school defines that you can not put a price on the education you receive. Every student is driven, focused, and goal oriented, so the competitive environment pushes you just as hard as the professors! The campus is extremely safe and beautiful and the research opportunities you receive are unlike any other!
Read 1,408 Reviews

• A+

• 16% Acceptance Rate
• $27,777 Net Price
• 1470-1570 SAT Range

Carnegie Mellon University

• 4 Year
• Pittsburgh, PA
• 1,355 reviews

Niche User: I attended CMU's pre-college summer program and I loved it. They have an amazing faculty whom remembered me upon admission. I took five classes that challenged me to be my very best. The skills I learned made me a better student during my senior year. It helped me buckle down when high school seemed petty knowing that college was indeed everything I thought it was. . .because, in a sense, I had already been to a fantastic one, albeit for six weeks in the summer. I highly recommend the summer programs at Carnegie Mellon. I consider it the most innovative university in the country!
Read 1,355 Reviews

• A+

• 22% Acceptance Rate
• $29,817 Net Price
• 1430-1560 SAT Range

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles

• 4 Year
• Los Angeles, CA
• 558 reviews

Alum: FIDM's a great place to be if you want to do fashion related work on the west coast. They teach you the basics from the ground up in every major, so there's no need to be nervous about coming in fresh. Fidm also gives you the opportunity to explore different classes outside of our major. For example, if you choose to be a fashion design major, but want to explore product development, there are only a few class differences since there are so many crossovers between the two majors. Compared to other design schools, FIDM is more focused on teaching students the technical side of industry rather than culturing creativity.
Read 558 Reviews

• B+

• 39% Acceptance Rate
• $40,448 Net Price
• — SAT Range

Pratt Institute

• 4 Year
• Brooklyn, NY
• 770 reviews

Graduate Student: Pratt changed my life. It's beyond the best school ever. I could won a lot of competitions under my professor's instruction. During school years I could have so many chances working in various companies located in Manhattan which is the center of the world! After graduation, I got a job in Manhattan. Now I am a creative director in New York. I love Pratt so much and appreciate everything from Pratt.
Read 770 Reviews

• B+

• 57% Acceptance Rate
• $43,068 Net Price
• 1040-1290 SAT Range

University of Notre Dame

• 4 Year
• Notre Dame, IN
• 1,271 reviews

Freshman: I love Notre Dame! It's a beautiful place, inside and out. We've got all sorts of clubs, students and academic interests. Personally, I am very pleased with the Mass and Sacrament availability as well as all the Catholic-related activities. Of course, not everybody is Christian; Notre Dame is a home for all. I've already found some solid friends with whom I enjoy spending these cold (and warm) Indiana days. ND meets 100% of financial need; this assistance extends beyond tuition and has allowed me to get the full Notre Dame Experience. Everyone here is passionate about something, and one passion we all share is a love for Notre Dame, Our Mother. Go Irish!
Read 1,271 Reviews

• A+

• 19% Acceptance Rate
• $27,453 Net Price
• 1370-1520 SAT Range

California Institute of the Arts

• 4 Year
• Valencia, CA
• 254 reviews

Niche User: My strong attraction to CalArts came when I first visited the campus. Every aspect of the environment captivated me, especially the accepting and encouraging energy that every member of the community, staff and student alike, radiates. The focus on diversity and the versatility of their programs is very inspiring.
Read 254 Reviews

• B+

• 24% Acceptance Rate
• $51,199 Net Price
• — SAT Range

New York School of Interior Design

• 4 Year
• New York, NY
• 55 reviews

Niche User: The atmosphere of this university is just awesome. ...............................................................................................
Read 55 Reviews

• B

• 33% Acceptance Rate
• $30,099 Net Price
• 920-1130 SAT Range

Northeastern University

• 4 Year
• Boston, MA
• 3,295 reviews

Sophomore: Love the school! South end is a great place to go to college. You have access to all of Boston area.
Academically, it’s as difficult or easy as you want. Depends which major you have and it’s pretty easy to change majors. Professors are normally pretty good. I won’t lie though, one of my professors was bad.
Only down side to the school, the parties. But that’s not too bad because you can just go to frat parties on other campuses nearby.
Honors dorms are really nice, but can’t say the same for the other freshmen dorms. After freshman year, it’s luck of the draw.
Food ranges from good to alright, but there’s always a decent option on bad days. Really only freshmen have meal plans, after that, you have a kitchen and are done with dining hall food anyways.
Read 3,295 Reviews

• A+

• 27% Acceptance Rate
• $30,784 Net Price
• 1370-1520 SAT Range

College for Creative Studies

• 4 Year
• Detroit, MI
• 528 reviews

Senior: I am currently a senior at Canton High School in Michigan and I attended a walk-through at CCS, and absolutely fell in love with the school. This confirmed my decision to attend fall of 2019 as I was so nerves before my walk-through. The class rooms, living spaces, and college environment gave me a sense of peace of excitement! This scholarship will help me entire this stage of my life with less financial worries.
Read 528 Reviews

• B

• 49% Acceptance Rate
• $36,870 Net Price
• 970-1200 SAT Range

University of California - Los Angeles

• 4 Year
• Los Angeles, CA
• 4,861 reviews

Senior: I love the campus and overall location. The scenery makes it worthwhile especially during those times when your classes are overwhelming. There is always something to do nearby if you look for it. I'd like to see funding go to necessary areas other than sports or marketing of the actual university. For example, the minority communities deserve to have and be knowledgeable about spaces designated for them where they can meet others like themselves, especially because the campus is so big with so many people. In addition there should be more resources for all students, but especially for those who are structurally disadvantaged. Overall, I enjoy my time here thanks to the amazing community of likeminded individuals that I found!
Read 4,861 Reviews

• A+

• 16% Acceptance Rate
• $14,760 Net Price
• 1220-1450 SAT Range

Laguna College of Art & Design

• 4 Year
• Laguna Beach, CA
• 194 reviews

Sophomore: Fantastic teachers, gorgeous campus, and easy transport for carless students like me! Bus line runs right down the canyon, and the free school shuttle stops at all campus locations and the Artisan Apartments.
Read 194 Reviews

• B

• 81% Acceptance Rate
• $36,887 Net Price
• — SAT Range

Mt. Sierra College

• 4 Year
• Monrovia, CA
• 167 reviews

• B+

• 87% Acceptance Rate
• $22,022 Net Price
• — SAT Range

Art Center College of Design

• 4 Year
• Pasadena, CA
• 298 reviews

Sophomore: It's a great school with a lot of opportunities. Being in a very fast-pace, competitive environment pushes students to give the best of their efforts to grow and become successful in their studies. Having instructors that are also full-time designers is a great advantage because you learn what the professional world is like in that field. You also build many great connections. It is definitely not a school for slackers, and you'll learn that almost immediately. Art Center is designed to weed out the weak and keep only the best students. There are many rigorous courses offered and one way or another you will find your perfect match for what it is that you want to do when you graduate. Although very expensive and stressful, if you make the most of your time at Art Center, it will definitely pay off.
Read 298 Reviews

• B+

• 70% Acceptance Rate
• $45,622 Net Price
• — SAT Range

Otis College of Art and Design

• 4 Year
• Los Angeles, CA
• 606 reviews

Freshman: If you want to do something that involves art this is the place to go. You’ll learn a lot, not only from the professors, but from just living on campus. They have many activities that will make you feel extremely welcome. Foundation year may be hard, but once you get through it, it’s extremely worth it because you will be doing what you want to do. Otis is also extremely diverse and will definitely help you in finding a job wether it be in or out of campus.
Read 606 Reviews

• B-

• 91% Acceptance Rate
• $42,699 Net Price
• 920-1180 SAT Range

Fashion Institute of Technology

• 4 Year
• New York, NY
• 1,470 reviews

Freshman: If you get to live in the apartment style dorms (CoEd or Alumni) your freshman year, that's great! You'll have no issue living here. Living in the traditional style dorm (Nagler) is kinda crappy, there's no air conditioning and you're required to have a meal plan. The dining hall doesn't really have a good, healthy option besides the salad bar.
Read 1,470 Reviews

• B+

• 47% Acceptance Rate
• $10,389 Net Price
• — SAT Range

The New School

• 4 Year
• New York, NY
• 554 reviews

Senior: The New School is a multi-disciplinary university located in NYC. It is largely liberal and prides itself on intellectual freedom and progressive thinking. There are five districts of The New School. I attend the Parsons School of Design, the district focused on art and design. The environment of Parsons is very diverse and unique. There are students from all over the world. The professors I've had through-out my study here are great educators and amazing at their creative fields. Students are also allowed to take courses across all the districts based on their interests. The only suggestion I have for this university is to be more tolerant of and open to people who don't agree with its views on things such as socialism. Some of the groups here refuse to listen to anyone with opposing opinion and try to intimidate others to join their side. It's a bit hostile and discourages other groups of students from having their own voice.
Read 554 Reviews

• B+

• 60% Acceptance Rate
• $45,504 Net Price
• 1100-1310 SAT Range

Rochester Institute of Technology

• 4 Year
• Rochester, NY
• 2,436 reviews

Sophomore: The campus experience is amazing! The dorms are nice, depending on if you get the "right" one. Living in a quad was the best choice for me because of the space and liveness of the room. The campus itself is beautiful and I have explored a lot fo the university and there is still more for me to explore. I really like the tunnel system in the dorms so when its snowing or raining really hard, you can take the tunnels to the visit your friend or the computer lab or the dining hall. The professors are mainly good and I was lucky to get the good ones. Of course its college so the courses will be challenging but you will have a lot of free time and get your homework, labs, and projects done. There is not much party scene unless you join a frat/sorority or have the connects.
Read 2,436 Reviews

• A-

• 57% Acceptance Rate
• $31,376 Net Price
• 1190-1380 SAT Range

Georgia Institute of Technology

• 4 Year
• Atlanta, GA
• 1,942 reviews

Freshman: Georgia Tech is a great school. At the same time though, it is very challenging. It is in a great area (Midtown Atlanta) and also has a great return as the average salary out of Tech is around 70k. There are many opportunities on campus for students to get experience and help with getting internships, co-ops, and jobs. The only thing I wish Tech would improve on is its food as it is very average and could be way better, considering how high tuition is. Also, I think that more attention to mental and student health should be emphasized as well. Overall, I do enjoy Georgia Tech. Know what you are getting yourself into though!
Read 1,942 Reviews

• A+

• 23% Acceptance Rate
• $15,873 Net Price
• 1090-1520 SAT Range

Boston University

• 4 Year
• Boston, MA
• 3,217 reviews

Junior: I've very much enjoyed my time at BU, the professors are willing to teach beyond the normal classroom and make a great effort to meet with their students. I can't speak for every department, although the professors in the Linguistics and Spanish department are AMAZING! The only reason I didn't give BU a 5 star is because the housing and food situation were a nightmare. Early into my spring semester I decided to move off campus and lose the money that I had already payed on my housing and food deposit because I was having trouble sleeping and digestive problems. These problems were addressed to the school, although they refused to help in any way.
Read 3,217 Reviews

• A+

• 25% Acceptance Rate
• $33,728 Net Price
• 1300-1480 SAT Range

Columbus College of Art & Design

• 4 Year
• Columbus, OH
• 363 reviews

Senior: Overall this school is wonderful. Every college has it's bad stuff, so trust me when I say this school isn't perfect. As an Illustration major, it took until my third year to really get into what the field is about and the variety opportunities available to us which is frustrating. Some of the not-so-great qualities is the parking, the safety isn't always great on the far side of campus, (though safety is great on the main section,) and the cost is way too high. These details can be frustrating at times but there are ways to make the most of it. You can live off campus to save a ton of money, you can join the wonderful clubs they have available, definitely take part of as many free events as possible because of the free food, there is great free counseling, plus this is a very accepting school for LGBTQ+!
Read 363 Reviews

• B

• 70% Acceptance Rate
• $25,397 Net Price
• 980-1200 SAT Range

North Carolina State University

• 4 Year
• Raleigh, NC
• 3,023 reviews

Junior: NC State, like any other university, has its pros and cons. The beautiful bricks, the scenic view from the top floor of Hill, and amazing ice cream are all wonderful aspects of being a part of the Pack. NCSU will certainly leave you with some good memories. But, it will also leave you with some bad ones too.
If you plan on entering the College of Engineering, just remember that this is the most popular college. Engineering is one of the most (if not the most) popular major NC State is known for. Due to this, the program is very rigorous and you may not feel or receive the support that you need. Sometimes, you will feel like you are just a number. But, when you hit rock bottom (possibly by making your first C in your academic career, failing to CODA into the College of Engineering, or failing an exam that you spent hours upon hours studying for) know that you can get back up!
Read 3,023 Reviews

• A+

• 51% Acceptance Rate
• $13,442 Net Price
• 1230-1390 SAT Range

Moore College of Art & Design

• 4 Year
• Philadelphia, PA
• 187 reviews

Niche User: I was at Moore College of Art & Design over the summer of 2018 for a pre-college art program. My one month experience there was amazing! The people I met are still my current friends, and the staff and teachers are definitely qualified. They taught me how to construct my art portfolio for future art colleges, and how an artist never stops learning, even professionals. On Friday's we went to art museums and saw beautiful work by the masters. Saturday's we got to go on field trips to see more of Philadelphia, and I personally experienced the city life since I'm from Texas. There was always something new to see, and one never got bored. I would experience it all again if I could.
Read 187 Reviews

• B-

• 54% Acceptance Rate
• $38,073 Net Price
• 1130-1150 SAT Range

Savannah College of Art & Design

• 4 Year
• Savannah, GA
• 3,015 reviews

Sophomore: I really liked the classes when going to SCAD, the teachers have their full focus on helping you succeed and making it fun and enjoyable that's the best part about scad. As well as activities and special events that were organized were fun and eventful and gave you opportunities to make friends. The dorms however weren't the best, I lived in a one dorm room with 2 other girls when the room is designed for two people. The food was TERRIBLE! Every week someone would get food poisoning, the food was not to be trusted. The chicken had looked like it shouldn't be served but the workers couldn't care less, the food never changed and for the price I'm paying I should be getting decent meals and not having to only eat pizza so I know I won't get food poisoning. But I mostly enjoy the classes and that's the main reason I love SCAD, the teacher are quirky and make the experience fun for you and the projects make you go into imagination.
Read 3,015 Reviews

• B

• 93% Acceptance Rate
• $41,738 Net Price
• 1030-1230 SAT Range