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2020 Best Colleges with Industrial and Product Design Degrees in AmericaAbout this List

Explore the best colleges with industrial and product design degrees. Find the industrial and product design colleges that are right for you. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

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  1. Carnegie Mellon University

    • 4 Year
    • Pittsburgh, PA
    • 1,374 reviews
    #28 Best Colleges in America

    Freshman: Carnegie Mellon is a great private institution. In the major that I am in, you can really tell that the professors care about your education as much as you do. Diversity is an issue, as there are few Latinx and African American students and many, many Asian and Caucasian students. Athletics are not really a priority at this school because everyone puts their academics as their first priority. Everyone at this university takes their work very seriously. Those that don't are the ones who don't perform well. The facilities are great, and so are the people. You really won't regret coming here. Your experience is what you put into it, so work hard and play even harder when you get the chance.
    Read 1,374 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 17% Acceptance Rate
    • $30,847 Net Price
    • 1450-1550 SAT Range
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  2. Georgia Institute of Technology

    • 4 Year
    • Atlanta, GA
    • 1,990 reviews
    #38 Best Colleges in America

    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 1,990 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 22% Acceptance Rate
    • $16,950 Net Price
    • 1390-1540 SAT Range
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    Virtual Tour

  3. Swarthmore College

    • 4 Year
    • Swarthmore, PA
    • 400 reviews
    #40 Best Colleges in America

    Freshman: Swarthmore College is certainly a unique place to be, whether you're looking at its student body or academics. It is a little diverse, certainly not as diverse as I hoped, but then again, Swat is located in a little nook in PA. However, the majority of the students I have met there so far have been quirky in their own unique ways, nearly all of them loving seeing their friends and fellow classmates at Swat so frequently, especially since the campus is not very big. Swatties definitely are a studious bunch, each enjoying their own little niche (or big niche) hobbies.
    Academics at Swat are tough, true to their reputation. However, the professors are very kind and genuinely want the students to learn, despite grades.
    Read 400 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 9% Acceptance Rate
    • $19,446 Net Price
    • 1380-1550 SAT Range
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  4. Virginia Tech

    • 4 Year
    • Blacksburg, VA
    • 3,761 reviews
    #58 Best Colleges in America

    Junior: As an engineering major, the education provided is superb (compared to what I have heard and seen fro other universities). Being a "Hokie" actually means something: the community here is Blacksburg is very strong and always behind each other. There are tons of clubs/activities to join so no matter what you're interested in, more than likely you can find a group of people who share that interest! All around, an amazing place to attend college. The education is difficult but worth it.
    Read 3,761 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 65% Acceptance Rate
    • $18,349 Net Price
    • 1180-1390 SAT Range
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  5. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    • 4 Year
    • Champaign, IL
    • 4,467 reviews
    #64 Best Colleges in America

    Freshman: I transferred here for the Spring 2020 semester and it is honestly an amazing school. The academics are great for a public university and it offers a lot of resources if you take rigorous courses. The campus itself is beautiful and provides a lot of space. I also love the social aspect of the school and making friends isn’t hard as there are very friendly people across campus. The food at the dining halls are alright it’s what you would expect, some offer better choices than others. Typically the rice at the union isn’t cooked properly but apart from that the food isn’t that bad. The party atmosphere is also huge, it’s a big part of the school’s culture and one I enjoy a lot. The area around campus is also relatively safe. Overall a great school!
    Read 4,467 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 62% Acceptance Rate
    • $15,829 Net Price
    • 1200-1460 SAT Range
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  6. Brigham Young University

    • 4 Year
    • Provo, UT
    • 7,694 reviews
    #78 Best Colleges in America

    Senior: BYU is a unique school in a lot of different ways. My experience at BYU has been good overall, people here are generally nice, but the special culture of the LDS Church is deeply rooted in its student body. It is great to be with people who share the similar beliefs with you, but it can also lead to being judgmental and exclusive in terms of accepting people who share different views and lifestyles. The opportunities BYU creates are amazing, you can work with your professors on some research experiences, and even get to publish a paper!
    Read 7,694 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 64% Acceptance Rate
    • $13,120 Net Price
    • 1190-1420 SAT Range
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  7. Purdue University

    • 4 Year
    • West Lafayette, IN
    • 4,557 reviews
    #83 Best Colleges in America

    Sophomore: Purdue University is an overall great university. One of the best parts of Purdue I have experienced is the amount of diversity. Although Purdue is a school known for its great engineering program, I have met plenty of students within medical, business, agricultural, etc. Purdue also has a large international presence, where I have met many students with different backgrounds, have had the opportunity to learn about cultures as well. As a lifelong sports fan, Purdue also participates in the Big Ten Conference, which allows for incredible sporting events among with top tier collegiate athlete showcases. Purdue is a university where there is plenty of opportunity to fit in and find your place, as it is very diverse and doesn't fit a stereotype as a whole. Whatever path you chose, Purdue is a great school with great experiences to produce with it!
    Read 4,557 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 58% Acceptance Rate
    • $11,898 Net Price
    • 1180-1410 SAT Range
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  8. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

    • 4 Year
    • Minneapolis, MN
    • 4,278 reviews
    #89 Best Colleges in America

    Freshman: My experience with the University of Minnesota so far has been excellent. There are many things that I enjoy about the school, some examples being the location and campus of the school, the challenging four year nursing program that is offered to incoming freshman, and the countless activities that one can participate inside and outside of school grounds. The location of the University of Minnesota is great because you are in the center of Minneapolis and there are plenty of things to do everyday such as museums, sporting events, and concerts. The campus and architecture is beautiful and gives students a wonderful university feel. The nursing program is awesome because it admits you immediately as a freshman and begins your career preparation right away! There are so many different clubs and activities that are available to all students at the U such as art clubs, book clubs, and intermural sports. I would not change one thing about this university!
    Read 4,278 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 52% Acceptance Rate
    • $16,691 Net Price
    • 1270-1480 SAT Range
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  9. University of Washington

    • 4 Year
    • Seattle, WA
    • 4,147 reviews
    #92 Best Colleges in America

    Niche User: The huskies have been a part of my life since my birth due to my dad's alumni status, and the memories we share with the Huskies are some the greatest of my life. The college life at UW is nothing short of stellar, as whatever you are interested in, there is a group that you can run with. Whether you are obsessed with athletics or a professional gamer, everyone at UW respects you and treats you as one of their own. Being so close to huge corporations such as Microsoft, Boeing, and Amazon helps you build corporate connections that fashion a great potential career. There are few drawbacks to the University of Washington, such as a lack of air conditioning in the dorms or the sometimes understaffed food courts, but in general the college is amazing. The college alumni are successful and never fail to give back to the University, keeping it perpetually great, and assists mightily in the creation of future Husky success stories. Keep up the work UW, and GO DAWGS!
    Read 4,147 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 49% Acceptance Rate
    • $9,765 Net Price
    • 1220-1460 SAT Range
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  12. The Ohio State University

    • 4 Year
    • Columbus, OH
    • 5,218 reviews
    #94 Best Colleges in America

    Freshman: OH-IO! Know it, Yell it. The Ohio State University has an abundance of athletic talent from its football to its basketball program and even to their tennis program. There's never a dull moment on campus. Academic wise the university has an excellent engineering department where the professors are committed to your success by teaching you valuable life skills such as learning to code in multiple programming languages and exposing you to internships. For example, Proctor and Gamble coordinated with my introductory engineering class for a lab and opened my eyes to the possibilities that OSU offered. The university does have some departments lacking such as the Chemistry departments inconsistent grading, but overall a great university to attend and prosper.
    Read 5,218 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 52% Acceptance Rate
    • $18,694 Net Price
    • 1240-1450 SAT Range
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    Virtual Tour

  13. North Carolina State University

    • 4 Year
    • Raleigh, NC
    • 3,077 reviews
    #96 Best Colleges in America

    Sophomore: I love attending State! There are tons of great people and a ton of resources like, free tutoring, career guidance, and help with food insecurity. They have some nice options for housing however, a couple options are not too great. If you choose to live in University Towers you have to get the meal plan there which is at least $900 and you cant get it covered on financial aid unless you get a refund check. The food elsewhere is pretty good most days. The best dining hall is Case but, It's only open for athletes at dinner and they get way better food.
    Read 3,077 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 47% Acceptance Rate
    • $14,771 Net Price
    • 1250-1390 SAT Range
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  14. Clemson University

    • 4 Year
    • Clemson, SC
    • 3,165 reviews
    #100 Best Colleges in America

    Freshman: I love the atmosphere of this school! It's very homey, the professors really want to see you do well, and the campus is beautiful. I've had mostly positive experiences with people, besides the racial microaggressions(I'm a black female in STEM go figure). The dining halls are probably my least favorite part. They close at 9 during the week and 8 on fridays. Only 1 is open on the weekends. On top of that the food isn't really good. But Clemson makes up for it in other ways so I let it slide. I also like that workout classes are free! I go to a lot every week such as zumba, barre, and HIIT.
    Read 3,165 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 47% Acceptance Rate
    • $19,508 Net Price
    • 1220-1400 SAT Range
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  15. Syracuse University

    • 4 Year
    • Syracuse, NY
    • 3,281 reviews
    #130 Best Colleges in America

    Alum: Loved everything about Syracuse! My professors were all amazing and really cared about the success of their students. There are so many opportunities for involvement through Greek life, clubs, athletics, etc. The school spirit is also unmatched.
    Read 3,281 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 50% Acceptance Rate
    • $39,005 Net Price
    • 1180-1370 SAT Range
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  16. Auburn University

    • 4 Year
    • Auburn, AL
    • 2,261 reviews
    #137 Best Colleges in America

    Junior: Auburn University is a beautiful school. I love the environment and pedestrian campus. All the building are postcard perfect on the campus. The professors are always very well qualified to teach and most are heavily involved in their field as well. There is always something going on on campus whether it is a Greek Life event, fundraiser, or festival. Auburn has concerts, rodeos, musical performances, and more going on year round so, there is something for everyone. There are incredible volunteering opportunities available every week. There are services open to students, faculty, and staff like tutoring, counseling, medical services, and more. They do everything in their power to ensure each one of their students has a presumable college experience and it is very refreshing. The Auburn family is so welcoming. I love Auburn!
    Read 2,261 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 75% Acceptance Rate
    • $23,205 Net Price
    • 1150-1310 SAT Range
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  17. Iowa State University

    • 4 Year
    • Ames, IA
    • 3,568 reviews
    #141 Best Colleges in America

    Senior: I love Iowa State University! It has a daunting list of possibilities for majors, minors, and extracurricular, is a very affordable price when compared to other schools, and when specializing, the options are very well taught. I have yet to run into a teacher I can't get help with, and there are options galore for help in every subject. It is easy to change/add/drop classes/majors/minors, the advisers are knowledgeable, and there are many chances for about everything. The slogan "It's your adventure", is very true! People here are very supportive/helpful. There are safe rides home if you feel uncomfortable for any reason and advisories whenever something happens.
    Most classes hold students to high standards, but are also relatable enough to not slough off the unfortunate struggling students. Campus is gorgeous, clubs and activities are numerous, and I believe I will be very successful in life thanks to ISU.
    Read 3,568 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 91% Acceptance Rate
    • $14,643 Net Price
    • 1090-1330 SAT Range
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  18. Rhode Island School of Design

    • 4 Year
    • Providence, RI
    • 320 reviews
    #143 Best Colleges in America

    Freshman: RISD has an extremely busy schedule, mostly during your first (foundation) year. It's very challenging, but very possible if you're committed. Just don't expect to be goofing around too much or getting a lot of free time. With good time management you'll have fun and enough time to pursue things outside of school, but it's not a given. The attendance policy is extremely strict, so don't plan on being able to skip class, even for medical reasons. Speaking of medical reasons, Health Services is pretty bad. Overall though, if art is the thing for you, this is the place to be, and you will learn a lot.
    Read 320 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 24% Acceptance Rate
    • $39,289 Net Price
    • 1180-1440 SAT Range
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  19. University of Utah

    • 4 Year
    • Salt Lake City, UT
    • 3,807 reviews
    #145 Best Colleges in America

    Sophomore: I love how many campus resources there are for students here. We have affordable counseling services, academic advisors that know their students by name, and professors who let you walk into their office or labs at any time to ask questions. The student life outside of the university is also amazing. Students have easy access to be involved in any outdoor sport: climbing, hiking, skiing, rafting. The Utah outdoors are amazing! Utah athletics is also so fun to be a part of. Students can attend any sporting event for free! We are a PAC12 school and are nationally ranked in a number of sports so it's so fun to watch all the games and meets!
    Read 3,807 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 67% Acceptance Rate
    • $13,460 Net Price
    • 1130-1350 SAT Range
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  22. Arizona State University

    • 4 Year
    • Tempe, AZ
    • 10,298 reviews
    #155 Best Colleges in America

    Alum: My experience during my time at ASU was great- I was an online student which worked perfectly for me at the time. I would 100% recommend this university and their online program if you are looking to be able to work while still getting a great education. I had a number of classes that continue to impact me now, a couple years after. As well as teachers that influenced my love and appreciation for higher education. I learned things about the world I swear I would of never learned elsewhere. My only “regret” is possibly not looking into moving to Phoenix for on campus learning. When I came to the campus for my graduation it was such a good experience and the campus was awesome! Though again, online at the time for the best route for me. ASU is a great place. Truly an innovative place where diverse thinking is welcome.
    Read 10,298 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 85% Acceptance Rate
    • $13,731 Net Price
    • 1130-1360 SAT Range
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  23. University of Cincinnati

    • 4 Year
    • Cincinnati, OH
    • 3,649 reviews
    #160 Best Colleges in America

    Junior: I am so happy I enrolled at UC! The campus life is a perfect balance of traditional students, commuter students, and non-traditional students. There is a corner of campus for everyone. I live in the residence halls as an RA and love all of the different on campus living situations. The gym is also fantastic. Sometimes the food is not as good as I'd like (I am vegetarian), and there were a lot of health violations found in dining halls this year. My major, Medical Sciences, has set me up perfectly for a pre-health pathway, with a rigorous course load, shadowing opportunities, and great mentorship. I am also very happy financially because I was eligible for in-state tuition!
    Read 3,649 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 73% Acceptance Rate
    • $20,085 Net Price
    • 1160-1370 SAT Range
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  24. Rochester Institute of Technology

    • 4 Year
    • Rochester, NY
    • 2,489 reviews
    #181 Best Colleges in America

    Niche User: The staff and faculty at RIT are approachable, warm and tolerant.  They make an effort to ensure that students succeed.  Even when a student fails, RIT doesn't throw her/him out! RIT has a fantastic College Restoration Program that goes to the bottom of the student's programme and provides personal mentoring and coaching to encourage the student to move back into a 'performing' mode. RIT genuinely cares about their students and they want them to succeed in college and through their professional careers.
    Read 2,489 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 66% Acceptance Rate
    • $31,798 Net Price
    • 1200-1400 SAT Range
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    Virtual Tour

  25. California State University - Long Beach

    • 4 Year
    • Long Beach, CA
    • 4,288 reviews
    #202 Best Colleges in America

    Senior: The students are some of the most diverse and welcoming in comparison to many other commuter schools. There's a tight-knit residential housing community that's always trying to promote mingling. With so many ways to meet people and events available, living on campus as a freshman is so fun. Living on campus should cost about $12k a year. There's a few colleges to choose from so do your research and watch some YT vids on what to expect. It isn't hard to notice all the resources and useful offices around campus if you look in the right places. Currently, a full-time student should expect to pay just under $7k/year. Known as the CSU that gives you the best bang-for-your-buck, there are MANY financial aid options and students get more FAFSA help here vs other CSUs.The campus is beautiful and well maintained. Other than the inevitable crime here and there, don't worry about safety issues on and around campus. There’s even a police station with actual officers and a police dog!
    Read 4,288 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 31% Acceptance Rate
    • $9,477 Net Price
    • 1040-1250 SAT Range
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  26. University of Houston

    • 4 Year
    • Houston, TX
    • 5,978 reviews
    #209 Best Colleges in America

    Graduate Student: University of Houston is a phenomenal school to invest the next 4 years of your life as well as money! For a university level education, it is very affordable and located in an area where living is also very affordable. Even if the school is considered a commuter school there are many organizations ( fraternity, sorority, dance teams, anime club, business clubs ) students can join to make friends and feel more involved in the community. The university offers many majors, 2 professional schools, and many graduate programs. They have branches all over the state of Texas. This university is reputable where freshly graduates do not have trouble finding a job! It is located in an area where major companies or the company of your dreams will hire fresh graduate students full time or offer internships . I would highly recommend this University!
    Read 5,978 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 62% Acceptance Rate
    • $16,002 Net Price
    • 1130-1310 SAT Range
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  29. Drexel University

    • 4 Year
    • Philadelphia, PA
    • 2,850 reviews
    #228 Best Colleges in America

    Niche User: I attended a summer program and was very pleased with the university! The admissions staff were some of the nicest people I've ever met. They genuinely want to see students succeed and are more than willing to help students reach their goal of getting into college, even if it's not Drexel. They are always there ready to answer any questions you have and ease your fears. I went into Drexel's College Access Academy not knowing a single thing about college, scared out of my mind. I came out with total confidence and ready to conquer the college application process. It was all thanks to the admissions and other staff members at Drexel. However, the one minor thing I would change is the food. The food at their main dining hall was really poor quality and sometimes cold. This often left me and my fellow peers wanting to skip the meal.
    Read 2,850 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 77% Acceptance Rate
    • $36,727 Net Price
    • 1170-1380 SAT Range
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  30. The New School

    • 4 Year
    • New York, NY
    • 571 reviews
    #236 Best Colleges in America

    Freshman: The New School houses a number of programs, I attend Parsons and Eugene Lang in the BA/BFA program. There are many resources offered. Everything from basic power tools, cameras, sewing machines, and laser cutters are able to be rented or signed in to use. There are many spaces to work, but it's important to remember that during finals everything gets filled up and busy. If you need a break, Union and Washington Square are both minutes away. For the most part teachers care and want to see their students improve. Assignments during the Parsons first year program can feel useless at times, but they do introduce you into the school and everything it has to offer. There a number of programs and activities offered outside of academic life though the school, but you're also in NYC so people tend to find their own things. Overall I've enjoyed my first year there, and I am excited to continue on in my major.
    Read 571 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 57% Acceptance Rate
    • $48,447 Net Price
    • 1150-1360 SAT Range
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  31. Cedarville University

    • 4 Year
    • Cedarville, OH
    • 1,090 reviews
    #242 Best Colleges in America

    Freshman: Cedarville is an incredible university to study at. The professors are beyond caring towards the students and make every effort to help the students learn; they even make gen eds interesting and enjoyable! The academics are not easy, but that is what shows its quality. If you put time and effort into the classes at Cedarville, you will get a lot out of the semester and come out with more knowledge than ever.

    Student life is lively and very encouraging! Students all around you, whether in the classroom or in the dorms, are always uplifting one another and encouraging each other to strive for academic and moral excellence.
    Read 1,090 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 79% Acceptance Rate
    • $23,360 Net Price
    • 1130-1350 SAT Range
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