Best Design and Applied Arts Programs in the South (2026)
Updated
Part of Best Art & Design Colleges in the South
This page ranks 82 Design and Applied Arts programs in the South by median earnings of Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing. Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus leads the list with median earnings of $95,697 four years after completing, followed by Florida State University at $73,888 and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University at $72,213.
Across the ranked programs, the figure ranges from $95,697 to $18,315, with a median of $53,116.
Public institutions account for 63% of the list, or 52 of the 82 schools. The University of Texas at Austin ranks 9th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, the best showing on the page. University of Florida posts the lowest average net price, at $6,541.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus · Atlanta, GA | $95,697 | $12,116 | $7,666 | 14.1% |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus reports $95,697 in median earnings for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing and ranks 49th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 2 | Florida State University · Tallahassee, FL | $73,888 | $11,297 | $5,938 | 24.2% |
| Florida State University, a public university in Tallahassee, admits 24% of applicants and posts median earnings of $73,888 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 3 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA | $72,213 | $24,953 | $11,689 | 54.8% |
| With an average net price of $24,953, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University shows median earnings of $72,213 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing and a cohort of 70 graduates. | |||||
| 4 | The University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX | $69,846 | $19,857 | $12,553 | 26.6% |
| The University of Texas at Austin ranks 9th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $69,846 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 5 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville · Knoxville, TN | $69,047 | $18,976 | $10,029 | 41.6% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed left The University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a median of $20,500 in federal loans, while its Design and Applied Arts graduates earned a median of $69,047 four years after completing. | |||||
| 6 | Texas Christian University · Fort Worth, TX | $68,313 | $36,660 | $17,956 | 44.5% |
| Texas Christian University, a private nonprofit institution in Fort Worth, posts an average net price of $36,660 and median earnings of $68,313 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 7 | University of Delaware · Newark, DE | $67,742 | $17,799 | $10,901 | 70.6% |
| University of Delaware reports a median federal debt of $26,000 among Design and Applied Arts completers who borrowed, alongside median earnings of $67,742 four years after completing. | |||||
| 8 | Clemson University · Clemson, SC | $66,150 | $22,253 | $13,607 | 38.3% |
| Ranking 8th on this list, Clemson University shows median earnings of $66,150 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 38%. | |||||
| 9 | University of Arkansas · Fayetteville, AR | $65,780 | $18,209 | $14,319 | 74.3% |
| University of Arkansas reports median earnings of $65,780 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $18,209. | |||||
| 10 | University of Florida · Gainesville, FL | $65,656 | $6,541 | $1,982 | 24.2% |
| An average net price of $6,541 coincides with median earnings of $65,656 for Design and Applied Arts graduates of University of Florida four years after completing. | |||||
| 11 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK | $65,646 | $15,300 | $10,509 | 76.6% |
| University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus reports a median federal debt of $26,250 among Design and Applied Arts completers who borrowed and median earnings of $65,646 four years after completing. | |||||
| 12 | University of Houston · Houston, TX | $64,612 | $14,276 | $10,929 | 73.9% |
| At 12th on this list, University of Houston reports median earnings of $64,612 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 13 | Baylor University · Waco, TX | $63,522 | $41,104 | $22,024 | 51.3% |
| Baylor University reports $63,522 in median earnings for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $41,104. | |||||
| 14 | University of Kentucky · Lexington, KY | $62,966 | $18,851 | $12,182 | 92.9% |
| University of Kentucky admits 93% of applicants and posts median earnings of $62,966 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 15 | East Texas A&M University · Commerce, TX | $61,748 | $11,841 | $9,709 | 92.2% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed from East Texas A&M University left with a median of $20,500 in federal loans, and the school ranks 185th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 16 | High Point University · High Point, NC | $61,635 | $38,707 | $32,763 | 75.3% |
| High Point University ranks 16th on this list, with median earnings of $61,635 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $38,707. | |||||
| 17 | Auburn University · Auburn, AL | $61,609 | $24,323 | $16,681 | 45.9% |
| Auburn University shows median federal debt of $25,125 among Design and Applied Arts completers who borrowed, and its graduates four years after completing earn a median of $61,609. | |||||
| 18 | Texas State University · San Marcos, TX | $61,539 | $16,805 | $12,715 | 89.3% |
| With an admission rate of 89%, Texas State University reports median earnings of $61,539 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 19 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC | $61,382 | $17,303 | $6,382 | 41.7% |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh posts an average net price of $6,382 for families earning under $30,000, and its Design and Applied Arts graduates earn a median of $61,382 four years after completing. | |||||
| 20 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga · Chattanooga, TN | $60,807 | $14,265 | $9,876 | 81.1% |
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga ranks 393rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with median earnings of $60,807 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 21 | Harding University · Searcy, AR | $60,567 | $22,130 | $15,418 | 70.5% |
| Harding University reports median earnings of $60,567 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing, and graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $26,500 in federal loans. | |||||
| 22 | The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL | $60,546 | $22,420 | $19,169 | 76.7% |
| The University of Alabama admits 77% of applicants and shows median federal debt of $26,000 among Design and Applied Arts completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 23 | Western Carolina University · Cullowhee, NC | $58,467 | $13,315 | $8,816 | 81.8% |
| Western Carolina University posts an average net price of $8,816 for families earning under $30,000, and its Design and Applied Arts graduates earn a median of $58,467 four years after completing. | |||||
| 24 | Belmont University · Nashville, TN | $58,314 | $33,147 | $22,950 | 95.3% |
| Belmont University reports median federal debt of $12,500 among Design and Applied Arts completers who borrowed, alongside median earnings of $58,314 four years after completing. | |||||
| 25 | University of North Texas · Denton, TX | $57,753 | $15,649 | $12,311 | 72.2% |
| University of North Texas reports median earnings of $57,753 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing, alongside a median federal debt of $22,269 among Design and Applied Arts completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 26 | East Carolina University · Greenville, NC | $57,255 | $15,739 | $10,046 | 89.2% |
| East Carolina University admits 89% of applicants and shows an average net price of $10,046 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 27 | Sam Houston State University · Huntsville, TX | $57,019 | $16,404 | $12,474 | 90.3% |
| Sam Houston State University ranks 117th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Design and Applied Arts graduates posted median earnings of $57,019 four years after completing. | |||||
| 28 | Oklahoma Christian University · Edmond, OK | $56,958 | $21,872 | $17,818 | 96.5% |
| A private nonprofit university in Edmond, Oklahoma Christian University lists median earnings of $56,958 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $21,872. | |||||
| 29 | Radford University · Radford, VA | $55,856 | $14,578 | $8,965 | 89.5% |
| Radford University ranks 29th on this list, with a cohort of 23 graduates in the earnings cohort and a median federal debt of $27,000 among Design and Applied Arts completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 30 | West Virginia University · Morgantown, WV | $55,669 | $15,634 | $9,450 | 89.0% |
| West Virginia University reports median earnings of $55,669 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $9,450 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 31 | Marymount University · Arlington, VA | $55,646 | $29,137 | $27,413 | 93.2% |
| Marymount University admits 93% of applicants and shows a median federal debt of $25,750 among Design and Applied Arts completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 32 | Stevenson University · Owings Mills, MD | $55,419 | $26,505 | $15,894 | 78.9% |
| Stevenson University ranks 941st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Design and Applied Arts graduates earned a median of $55,419 four years after completing. | |||||
| 33 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro · Greensboro, NC | $55,394 | $10,965 | $7,305 | 88.5% |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro lists an average net price of $10,965 and median earnings of $55,394 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 34 | University of South Florida · Tampa, FL | $54,770 | $9,812 | $4,122 | 43.2% |
| With a median federal debt of $17,000 among Design and Applied Arts completers who borrowed, University of South Florida ranks 63rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 35 | Saint Edward's University · Austin, TX | $54,297 | $25,578 | $20,799 | 81.4% |
| Saint Edward's University reports median earnings of $54,297 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $20,799 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 36 | Winthrop University · Rock Hill, SC | $54,194 | $15,343 | $12,608 | 79.3% |
| Winthrop University admits 79% of applicants and shows median earnings of $54,194 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 37 | University of Central Oklahoma · Edmond, OK | $53,927 | $18,309 | $15,275 | 78.1% |
| University of Central Oklahoma reports median earnings of $53,927 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $18,309. | |||||
| 38 | Virginia Commonwealth University · Richmond, VA | $53,575 | $23,433 | $17,512 | 92.6% |
| Virginia Commonwealth University admits 93% of applicants and its Design and Applied Arts completers who borrowed left with a median of $24,250 in federal loans. | |||||
| 39 | Appalachian State University · Boone, NC | $53,543 | $16,836 | $9,325 | 90.1% |
| Appalachian State University ranks 39th on this list, with 128 graduates in the earnings cohort and an average net price of $9,325 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 40 | Georgia Southern University · Statesboro, GA | $53,396 | $15,267 | $12,162 | 87.9% |
| Georgia Southern University sits at 124th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $53,396 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 41 | University of Maryland-Baltimore County · Baltimore, MD | $53,363 | $16,467 | $5,087 | 72.4% |
| University of Maryland-Baltimore County posts an average net price of $5,087 for families earning under $30,000, and its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing earned a median of $53,363. | |||||
| 42 | Queens University of Charlotte · Charlotte, NC | $52,870 | $30,857 | $22,792 | 62.1% |
| A private nonprofit institution in Charlotte, Queens University of Charlotte shows median federal debt of $26,000 among Design and Applied Arts completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 43 | Northern Kentucky University · Highland Heights, KY | $52,703 | $8,191 | $2,603 | 67.7% |
| Northern Kentucky University reports an average net price of $8,191, and its school-wide median federal debt among borrowers who completed is $23,000. | |||||
| 44 | University of Central Arkansas · Conway, AR | $51,050 | $16,511 | $14,656 | 89.5% |
| University of Central Arkansas ranks 44th on this list, with median earnings of $51,050 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 45 | Middle Tennessee State University · Murfreesboro, TN | $50,184 | $13,359 | $9,289 | 69.1% |
| Middle Tennessee State University admits 69% of applicants and sits at 236th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 46 | Abilene Christian University · Abilene, TX | $49,818 | $26,182 | $20,285 | 66.0% |
| Abilene Christian University shows median federal debt of $21,875 among Design and Applied Arts completers who borrowed, alongside an average net price of $20,285 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 47 | University of the Incarnate Word · San Antonio, TX | $48,472 | $22,775 | $19,260 | 98.1% |
| University of the Incarnate Word reports median earnings of $48,472 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing, with 21 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 48 | Ringling College of Art and Design · Sarasota, FL | $47,937 | $57,742 | $47,261 | 69.7% |
| Ringling College of Art and Design posts an average net price of $57,742, and its Design and Applied Arts completers who borrowed left with a median of $27,000 in federal loans. | |||||
| 49 | Liberty University · Lynchburg, VA | $47,797 | $29,357 | $30,667 | 99.0% |
| Liberty University admits 99% of applicants and reports median earnings of $47,797 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 50 | John Brown University · Siloam Springs, AR | $47,248 | $20,397 | $17,484 | 76.1% |
| John Brown University ranks 50th on this list, with median federal debt of $19,500 among Design and Applied Arts completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 51 | Flagler College · Saint Augustine, FL | $46,921 | $30,525 | $21,733 | 80.8% |
| Flagler College ranks 51st on this list and shows an average net price of $21,733 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 52 | Lamar University · Beaumont, TX | $46,341 | $9,366 | $7,568 | 86.4% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed at Lamar University left with a median of $21,250 in federal loans, and the school's Design and Applied Arts completers earn a median of $46,341 four years after completing. | |||||
| 53 | George Washington University · Washington, DC | $46,321 | $36,586 | $17,440 | 47.1% |
| George Washington University posts an admission rate of 47% and an average net price of $36,586. | |||||
| 54 | North Carolina A & T State University · Greensboro, NC | $46,077 | $10,846 | $8,223 | 49.9% |
| North Carolina A & T State University reports median earnings of $46,077 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 30 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 55 | Longwood University · Farmville, VA | $46,040 | $19,066 | $11,896 | 90.2% |
| Longwood University ranks 1221st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows an average net price of $11,896 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 56 | Savannah College of Art and Design · Savannah, GA | $45,923 | $49,430 | $44,858 | 83.0% |
| Savannah College of Art and Design reports median federal debt of $26,200 among Design and Applied Arts completers who borrowed, and the program's median earnings four years after completing are $45,923. | |||||
| 57 | Maryland Institute College of Art · Baltimore, MD | $45,436 | $42,729 | $32,389 | 76.8% |
| Maryland Institute College of Art admits 77% of applicants and reports an average net price of $42,729. | |||||
| 58 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette · Lafayette, LA | $42,867 | $13,530 | $11,157 | 87.0% |
| University of Louisiana at Lafayette ranks 167th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Design and Applied Arts graduates earn a median of $42,867 four years after completing. | |||||
| 59 | Southern Methodist University · Dallas, TX | $42,728 | $40,892 | $23,544 | 63.4% |
| Southern Methodist University shows an average net price of $23,544 for families earning under $30,000 and an admission rate of 63%. | |||||
| 60 | University of North Georgia · Dahlonega, GA | $42,675 | $9,823 | $6,981 | 67.9% |
| University of North Georgia ranks 60th on this list, and graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $17,750 in federal loans. | |||||
| 61 | Charleston Southern University · Charleston, SC | $41,925 | $21,666 | $20,145 | 96.5% |
| Charleston Southern University reports median earnings of $41,925 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $21,666. | |||||
| 62 | Louisiana Tech University · Ruston, LA | $41,534 | $11,864 | $7,676 | 86.4% |
| Louisiana Tech University admits 86% of applicants and its Design and Applied Arts graduates earn a median of $41,534 four years after completing. | |||||
| 63 | East Tennessee State University · Johnson City, TN | $41,449 | $15,983 | $12,433 | 86.2% |
| East Tennessee State University ranks 63rd on this list, with 26 graduates in the earnings cohort and a median of $41,449 four years after completing. | |||||
| 64 | William Peace University · Raleigh, NC | $40,817 | $21,649 | $15,779 | 94.3% |
| William Peace University posts a median of $40,817 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $15,779 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 65 | Coastal Carolina University · Conway, SC | $40,150 | $13,966 | $9,563 | 75.3% |
| Coastal Carolina University reports median earnings of $40,150 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 42. | |||||
| 66 | Arkansas State University · Jonesboro, AR | $39,897 | $12,366 | $10,098 | 82.3% |
| Arkansas State University shows an average net price of $12,366, and its Design and Applied Arts graduates earn a median of $39,897 four years after completing. | |||||
| 67 | Mississippi Christian University · Clinton, MS | $39,178 | $27,712 | $25,984 | 29.1% |
| Mississippi Christian University admits 29% of applicants and reports median federal debt of $22,500 across all of the school's borrowers who completed. | |||||
| 68 | Ouachita Baptist University · Arkadelphia, AR | $37,208 | $22,409 | $15,207 | 67.5% |
| Ouachita Baptist University ranks 1298th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Design and Applied Arts graduates earn a median of $37,208 four years after completing. | |||||
| 69 | Texas Tech University · Lubbock, TX | $36,134 | $19,070 | $12,457 | 72.7% |
| Texas Tech University reports median earnings of $36,134 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $12,457 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 70 | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University · Tallahassee, FL | $35,817 | $13,739 | $13,299 | 20.6% |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University admits 21% of applicants, and its Design and Applied Arts graduates earn a median of $35,817 four years after completing. | |||||
| 71 | Meredith College · Raleigh, NC | $35,274 | $22,488 | $17,207 | 74.2% |
| Meredith College ranks 1106th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with 36 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 72 | Samford University · Birmingham, AL | $33,993 | $32,622 | $22,716 | 82.4% |
| Samford University reports median earnings of $33,993 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $32,622. | |||||
| 73 | Bowie State University · Bowie, MD | $33,841 | $19,298 | $17,071 | 72.4% |
| Bowie State University reports median earnings of $33,841 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing, with 25 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 74 | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus · Magnolia, AR | $33,649 | $14,027 | $13,187 | 75.3% |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus, a public university in Magnolia, shows an average net price of $14,027 and a median federal debt of $25,559 among Design and Applied Arts completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 75 | Texas Woman's University · Denton, TX | $33,459 | $11,963 | $9,948 | 96.1% |
| Texas Woman's University admits 96% of applicants and carries an average net price of $9,948 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 76 | Converse University · Spartanburg, SC | $30,409 | $23,283 | $14,137 | 67.7% |
| Converse University ranks 1226th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Design and Applied Arts graduates earned a median of $30,409 four years after completing. | |||||
| 77 | Bob Jones University · Greenville, SC | $29,685 | $16,641 | $14,287 | Not reported |
| Bob Jones University posts an average net price of $16,641, with 13 graduates in the earnings cohort for its Design and Applied Arts program. | |||||
| 78 | Campbell University · Buies Creek, NC | $29,685 | $24,516 | $20,751 | 87.2% |
| Campbell University reports median earnings of $29,685 for its Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 87%. | |||||
| 79 | West Liberty University · West Liberty, WV | $28,753 | $15,366 | $12,714 | 97.3% |
| West Liberty University admits 97% of applicants and ranks 1168th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 80 | Concord University · Athens, WV | $27,397 | $9,966 | $8,021 | 92.6% |
| Concord University reports an average net price of $8,021 for families earning under $30,000, and its Design and Applied Arts graduates earned a median of $27,397 four years after completing. | |||||
| 81 | Clark Atlanta University · Atlanta, GA | $24,420 | $37,702 | $37,356 | 64.2% |
| Clark Atlanta University shows a median federal debt of $26,500 among Design and Applied Arts completers who borrowed, with median earnings of $24,420 four years after completing. | |||||
| 82 | West Texas A & M University · Canyon, TX | $18,315 | $19,487 | $16,525 | 98.7% |
| West Texas A & M University ranks 82nd on this list and reports an average net price of $19,487, with 14 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
How this list is ordered
Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Design and Applied Arts graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in the South appear. The figure is the median earnings of federally aided completers of the program who were working and not enrolled, measured four years after completing. For 13 of the 82 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The spread from Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus to the bottom of the list is $77,382, and the gap between Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus and Florida State University is $21,809.
Related rankings
- Best Colleges in the South
- Art & Design Colleges in the South for Social Mobility
- Best Art & Design Colleges in the South