The best design schools of 2025 combine artistic vision with technology and business insight. These programs prepare students for careers in graphic design, interior design, UX/UI, animation, and digital media, blending creative problem-solving with professional portfolio development.
Earning a degree from an accredited design school can help launch your creative career in branding, architecture, motion graphics, or product design, all fields that value technical skill and visual storytelling.
What Makes a Top Design School?
Top-ranked design colleges share several core qualities that help students thrive creatively and professionally:
Accreditation: Schools recognized by NASAD or regional accrediting agencies
Strong Portfolios: Studio-based learning with real project critiques
Industry Access: Partnerships with design firms and internship pipelines
Experienced Faculty: Professors with professional backgrounds in design and media
Career Outcomes: Alumni success across creative, corporate, and entrepreneurial sectors
These schools emphasize studio work, experimentation, and innovation across visual disciplines.
Popular Design Majors
Design education spans multiple creative concentrations, many schools offer options to specialize or cross-collaborate between them:
Graphic Design: Branding, layout, typography, and digital publishing
Interior Design: Space planning, materials, lighting, and sustainability
UX/UI Design: Human-centered interfaces, web design, and prototyping
Animation & Motion Media: Visual storytelling, 3D modeling, and effects
Industrial & Product Design: CAD modeling and functional object design
Each path helps students master both creative tools and client collaboration.
Tuition, Aid & Career Outlook
Design programs range from one-year certificates to four-year bachelor’s and advanced MFA degrees. Average tuition varies from $10,000 to $45,000 annually, depending on location and school type.
Financial aid, scholarships, and work-study opportunities are available at most accredited institutions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, design-related jobs are projected to grow steadily through 2034, with particularly strong demand for digital, UX, and multimedia design professionals.
Methodology
This ranking highlights schools known for:
Accreditation and Academic Reputation
Program Diversity and Studio Facilities
Portfolio and Career Support
Tuition Value and Scholarship Access
Graduate Success and Employer Partnerships
Only regionally or nationally accredited institutions with strong creative arts outcomes were included.
Best Design Schools
#1
Rhode Island School of Design
📍 Providence, RI •In-state option
Located in Providence, RI Rhode Island School of Design is a institution focused on career-ready training. Signature programs include Film and Video Production and Photography.
Located in Savannah, GA Savannah College of Art and Design is a institution focused on career-ready training. Signature programs include Digital Media Technology, Fashion Design, and Film and Video Production. The campus serves roughly 14,423 learners.
Located in Brooklyn, NY Pratt Institute-Main is a institution focused on career-ready training. Signature programs include Digital Media Technology, Fashion Design, and Film and Video Production.
Located in New York, NY The New School is a institution focused on career-ready training. Signature programs include Fashion Design, Graphic Design, and Interior Design.
Located in San Francisco, CA California College of the Arts is a institution focused on career-ready training. Signature programs include Digital Media Technology, Fashion Design, and Film and Video Production.
Located in Chicago, IL School of the Art Institute of Chicago is a institution focused on career-ready training. Signature programs include Fashion Design.
Located in San Francisco, CA Academy of Art University is a institution focused on career-ready training. Signature programs include Auto Body and Collision Repair, Computer Programming, and Data Analytics Technology.
Located in Sarasota, FL Ringling College of Art and Design is a institution focused on career-ready training. Signature programs include Digital Media Technology, Film and Video Production, and Art and Design Foundations. The campus serves roughly 1,719 learners.
Located in New York, NY Fashion Institute of Technology is a institution focused on career-ready training. Signature programs include Digital Media Technology, Fashion Design, and Film and Video Production. The campus serves roughly 7,575 learners.
Located in Pasadena, CA Art Center College of Design is a institution focused on career-ready training. Signature programs include Automotive Technician, Digital Media Technology, and Film and Video Production.
**What degree do I need to become a designer?** Most designers earn a **bachelor’s degree** in graphic design, interior design, or a related field. Certificate programs and associate degrees can qualify graduates for junior design or production roles. **How long does it take to complete a design degree?** Bachelor’s programs typically take **four years**, while certificates and associate degrees range from **one to two years**, depending on specialization. **What software should design students learn?** Industry standards include **Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)**, plus tools for 3D design, UX/UI, and motion graphics such as Figma, Cinema 4D, or Blender. **What jobs can I get with a design degree?** Graduates work as **graphic designers, art directors, UX/UI designers, product designers**, or creative consultants across industries like tech, fashion, and advertising.
