Art and Design programs produce graduates with career earnings ranging from $24,505 to $114,862, demonstrating significant variation across 521 ranked programs. With median earnings of $59,526—$3,709 higher than the national average—these creative careers offer stronger financial prospects than commonly perceived, though program selection remains critical for maximizing outcomes.
Leading the list is Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, achieving the highest program earnings at $74,666. Williams College follows at $72,010, while Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute rounds out the top three at $71,567, demonstrating how design programs at technical institutions consistently deliver superior graduate outcomes in competitive creative markets.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #61 | Rowan UniversityPublic | Glassboro, NJ | $44,906 Median Art & Design Earnings | $15,180 | 77.8% | 68.3% |
| #62 | Providence, RI | $44,893 Median Art & Design Earnings | $33,653 | 13.8% | 88.5% | |
| #63 | Saint Louis, MO | $44,867 Median Art & Design Earnings | $21,213 | 93.7% | 71.5% | |
| #64 | University Of BridgeportPrivate | Bridgeport, CT | $44,774 Median Art & Design Earnings | $21,943 | 64.3% | 48.1% |
| #65 | Raleigh, NC | $44,671 Median Art & Design Earnings | $6,200 | 39.9% | 84.6% | |
| #66 | Lycoming CollegePrivate | Williamsport, PA | $44,387 Median Art & Design Earnings | $10,756 | 67.9% | 59.6% |
| #67 | Cincinnati, OH | $44,318 Median Art & Design Earnings | $15,108 | 87.7% | 71.5% | |
| #68 | Texas Christian UniversityPrivate | Fort Worth, TX | $44,292 Median Art & Design Earnings | $15,531 | 42.6% | 85.6% |
| #69 | Biola UniversityPrivate | La Mirada, CA | $44,007 Median Art & Design Earnings | $23,001 | 60.1% | 68.8% |
| #70 | University Of HoustonPublic | Houston, TX | $43,882 Median Art & Design Earnings | $10,327 | 69.5% | 64.9% |
| #71 | Eau Claire, WI | $43,748 Median Art & Design Earnings | $9,565 | 76.1% | 67.6% | |
| #72 | Luther CollegePrivate | Decorah, IA | $43,716 Median Art & Design Earnings | $16,937 | 73.3% | 75.0% |
| #73 | Suffolk UniversityPrivate | Boston, MA | $43,685 Median Art & Design Earnings | $25,575 | 84.7% | 59.9% |
| #74 | Auburn UniversityPublic | Auburn, AL | $43,652 Median Art & Design Earnings | $16,332 | 50.5% | 79.2% |
| #75 | Bellingham, WA | $43,578 Median Art & Design Earnings | $11,416 | 91.3% | 65.5% | |
| #76 | William & MaryPublic | Williamsburg, VA | $43,550 Median Art & Design Earnings | $6,616 | 32.7% | 91.0% |
| #77 | Texas Woman's UniversityPublic | Denton, TX | $43,477 Median Art & Design Earnings | $8,378 | 95.0% | 44.2% |
| #78 | Mount Pleasant, MI | $43,477 Median Art & Design Earnings | $12,672 | 91.0% | 61.8% | |
| #79 | Chicago, IL | $43,277 Median Art & Design Earnings | $10,691 | 70.4% | 16.8% | |
| #80 | Bridgewater, MA | $43,219 Median Art & Design Earnings | $11,267 | 89.2% | 54.6% |
