Sam SmithChoosing the right design school is a pivotal step for aspiring creatives. The United States offers a wide spectrum of programs across disciplines such as Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Fashion, Interior Design, UX, and Environmental Design. This list highlights the top 50 institutions based on industry reputation, alumni success, faculty quality, and resources. While rankings help identify leading programs, the best school ultimately depends on a student’s focus, philosophy, and career goals in the diverse world of design.
Top 50 Design Schools In The US
1. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) – Providence, RI
RISD is widely regarded as the pinnacle of art and design education in the U.S., offering world-class programs in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Furniture, Illustration, Textiles, and Architecture. Its intense studio culture emphasizes craftsmanship, conceptual rigor, and experimentation. Students benefit from small classes, close faculty mentorship, and an immersive environment that fosters creativity and critical thinking. RISD graduates are highly sought after in diverse industries, including fashion, product design, media, and fine arts, reflecting the school’s enduring reputation.
2. ArtCenter College of Design – Pasadena, CA
ArtCenter is renowned for its professional, industry-focused approach, particularly in Transportation, Product, and Graphic Design. Students engage in rigorous studio courses, portfolio development, and real-world projects with strong connections to automotive, entertainment, and technology industries. The school emphasizes technical proficiency, problem-solving, and innovation. Graduates often secure influential positions in global design firms. With a culture that balances artistic exploration and professional readiness, ArtCenter prepares designers to lead in competitive, cutting-edge creative fields.
3. Parsons School of Design (The New School) – New York, NY
Parsons is a global leader in Fashion, Interior Design, Strategic Design, and Management. Located in the heart of NYC, students gain direct access to creative industries and cultural resources. The curriculum emphasizes innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility. Students develop strong portfolios while engaging with hands-on projects, internships, and collaborations with professionals. Parsons graduates are recognized for their entrepreneurial mindset, critical thinking, and creativity, consistently shaping trends in fashion, design, and visual communication worldwide.
4. Pratt Institute – Brooklyn, NY
Pratt is celebrated for excellence in Interior Design, Industrial Design, Graphic Design, and Architecture. The school fosters a rigorous, hands-on approach, emphasizing materials, craftsmanship, and socially-conscious design. Students benefit from NYC’s cultural and professional opportunities, gaining exposure to industry professionals and internships. Interdisciplinary collaboration is encouraged, allowing students to expand their creative perspectives. Pratt alumni are known for their strong design skills, innovation, and leadership in diverse fields, from urban planning to industrial and graphic design.
5. School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) – Chicago, IL
SAIC is highly influential in Visual Communication, Fashion, Designed Objects, and Architecture, emphasizing experimental, interdisciplinary, and theory-based approaches. The school encourages conceptual exploration alongside technical mastery, preparing students to challenge conventional design boundaries. Chicago’s dynamic arts community provides rich professional connections, exhibitions, and collaborative opportunities. SAIC graduates often excel in innovative studios, academic research, and creative industries worldwide. The school is noted for producing bold, critically-minded designers who shape contemporary art and design practices.
6. California College of the Arts (CCA) – San Francisco / Oakland, CA
CCA excels in Interaction Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, and Architecture, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, social innovation, and community engagement. The school blends hands-on studio work with research-driven projects, encouraging creative problem-solving across multiple disciplines. Its West Coast location offers exposure to tech, entrepreneurial, and design industries. Graduates are prepared to address real-world design challenges with user-centered approaches, often pursuing careers in product, UX, and interdisciplinary design roles in socially responsible companies.
7. Carnegie Mellon University, School of Design – Pittsburgh, PA
CMU’s School of Design is the premier destination for Interaction Design, UX Design, and Service Design. The program integrates human-computer interaction, psychology, technology, and systems-thinking, producing designers who excel in research-driven, user-centered solutions. Students work on collaborative projects with industry partners, preparing them for leadership roles in digital and physical design. CMU graduates are highly competitive in tech, product design, and service industries, recognized for their analytical rigor, creativity, and ability to address complex design challenges.
8. Stanford University, d.school (Hasso Plattner Institute) – Stanford, CA
The d.school is a hub for Design Thinking and human-centered innovation, focusing on problem-solving across disciplines and industries. While it does not grant a degree, its courses and workshops influence designers, engineers, and entrepreneurs globally. Students develop skills in creativity, prototyping, collaboration, and rapid experimentation. The school’s integration with Silicon Valley provides access to startups, tech giants, and research initiatives. Graduates and participants leverage these experiences to launch ventures, implement organizational change, and drive human-centered solutions in diverse sectors.
9. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Media Lab & Department of Architecture – Cambridge, MA
MIT’s Media Lab is at the forefront of design technology, tangible media, and future interface research, integrating art, engineering, and science. Students work on experimental projects exploring robotics, interactive environments, and immersive experiences. The lab emphasizes innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and pushing the boundaries of what design can achieve. MIT graduates often emerge as leaders in tech-integrated design, human-computer interaction, and product innovation, combining creative thinking with scientific rigor to develop cutting-edge solutions that transform industries worldwide.
10. University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) – Cincinnati, OH
DAAP is distinguished for Industrial Design, Fashion Design, and Communication Design, offering a mandatory co-op program that alternates semesters of work and study. This professional experience equips students with industry-ready skills and real-world insight. DAAP emphasizes technical excellence, creativity, and collaboration, producing graduates who thrive in diverse design fields. The school’s rigorous studio-based curriculum and strong connections with corporate partners ensure students graduate with practical experience, robust portfolios, and a deep understanding of design’s role in society and industry.
| # | School Name | Location | Notable Specialties / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) | Providence, RI | Graphic, Industrial, Furniture, Illustration, Textiles, Architecture |
| 2 | ArtCenter College of Design | Pasadena, CA | Transportation Design, Product Design, Graphic Design |
| 3 | Parsons School of Design (The New School) | New York, NY | Fashion, Interior Design, Strategic Design Management |
| 4 | Pratt Institute | Brooklyn, NY | Interior, Industrial, Graphic Design, Architecture |
| 5 | School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) | Chicago, IL | Visual Communication, Fashion, Designed Objects, Architecture |
| 6 | California College of the Arts (CCA) | San Francisco / Oakland, CA | Interaction, Graphic, Industrial Design, Architecture |
| 7 | Carnegie Mellon University, School of Design | Pittsburgh, PA | Interaction/UX, Service Design, Human-Centered Systems |
| 8 | Stanford University, d.school (Hasso Plattner Institute) | Stanford, CA | Design Thinking, Human-Centered Problem Solving |
| 9 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Media Lab & Dept. of Architecture | Cambridge, MA | Design Technology, Tangible Media, Future Interfaces |
| 10 | University of Cincinnati, College of DAAP | Cincinnati, OH | Industrial, Fashion, Communication Design; Co-op Program |
| 11 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, School of Art & Design | Urbana, IL | Graphic and Industrial Design |
| 12 | University of Texas at Austin, School of Design & Creative Technologies | Austin, TX | UX, Arts & Entertainment Technologies, Design |
| 13 | University of Washington, School of Art + Art History + Design | Seattle, WA | Interaction Design, Visual Communication |
| 14 | University of Michigan, Stamps School of Art & Design | Ann Arbor, MI | Interdisciplinary Design, Interaction Design |
| 15 | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Design Media Arts | Los Angeles, CA | Digital Media, Experimental Design |
| 16 | Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), School of the Arts | Richmond, VA | Graphic Design, Fashion Design |
| 17 | University of Florida, College of the Arts | Gainesville, FL | Digital Media, Technology, Design |
| 18 | Arizona State University, Herberger Institute | Tempe, AZ | Industrial Design, Visual Communication, Large Programs |
| 19 | University of Illinois at Chicago, School of Design | Chicago, IL | Conceptual Graphic Design |
| 20 | University of Minnesota, College of Design | Minneapolis, MN | Product, Graphic, Retail Design |
| 21 | Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) | New York, NY | Fashion Design, Fashion Business, Textiles, Accessories |
| 22 | Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) | Savannah / Atlanta, GA | Motion Media, Illustration, Interactive Design, Fashion |
| 23 | College for Creative Studies (CCS) | Detroit, MI | Transportation & Product Design, Communication Design |
| 24 | Otis College of Art and Design | Los Angeles, CA | Fashion, Toy Design, Digital Media |
| 25 | Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) | Baltimore, MD | Graphic & Interdisciplinary Design |
| 26 | Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) | Minneapolis, MN | Graphic Design, Comic Art |
| 27 | Cranbrook Academy of Art | Bloomfield Hills, MI | 2D/3D Design, Graduate-Only, Studio-Based |
| 28 | ArtCenter College of Design | Pasadena, CA | See #2; Professional Industry-Focused Programs |
| 29 | Parsons School of Design | New York, NY | See #3; Fashion & Design Leadership |
| 30 | School of Visual Arts (SVA) | New York, NY | Graphic Design, Computer Art, Illustration |
| 31 | Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI) | Kansas City, MO | Graphic Design |
| 32 | Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) | Portland, OR | Communication Design |
| 33 | University of Oregon, School of Art + Design | Eugene, OR | Sustainability & Community Design |
| 34 | San Jose State University, School of Art and Design | San Jose, CA | Graphic Design, Animation/Illustration |
| 35 | University of North Texas, College of Visual Arts & Design | Denton, TX | Communication Design |
| 36 | University of Georgia, Lamar Dodd School of Art | Athens, GA | Graphic Design |
| 37 | Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), College of Art and Design | Rochester, NY | Industrial Design, Graphic Design, New Media |
| 38 | Iowa State University, College of Design | Ames, IA | Industrial Design, Graphic Design |
| 39 | University of Kansas, School of Architecture & Design | Lawrence, KS | Visual Communication Design |
| 40 | University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Architecture & Design | Knoxville, TN | Architecture & Design |
| 41 | MIT Media Lab | Cambridge, MA | Technology-Integrated Design Research |
| 42 | Appalachian Center for Craft | Smithville, TN | Craft, Material-Focused Design (Wood, Clay, Metal, Fiber) |
| 43 | New England School of Art & Design at Suffolk University | Boston, MA | Graphic, Visual Arts |
| 44 | Boston Architectural College (BAC) | Boston, MA | Practice-Based Interior & Architecture |
| 45 | FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising) | Los Angeles, CA | Fashion, Interior, Set Design |
| 46 | Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) | Laguna Beach, CA | Graphic Design, Illustration |
| 47 | Ringling College of Art and Design | Sarasota, FL | Motion Design, Graphic Design, Illustration |
| 48 | Cornell University, Dept. of Human Centered Design | Ithaca, NY | Design, Technology, Human Behavior |
| 49 | University of Pennsylvania, Weitzman School of Design | Philadelphia, PA | Fine Arts, Integrated Design Programs |
| 50 | Drexel University, Westphal College | Philadelphia, PA | Fashion, Product, Graphic Design; Co-op Program |
Closing:
Selecting the right design school requires balancing reputation, specialization, culture, and location. Top-ranked programs like RISD, ArtCenter, and Parsons offer world-class training, but emerging and specialized schools provide unique opportunities and industry connections. Ultimately, your portfolio, creative vision, and passion for your chosen discipline matter most. Visit campuses, engage with students and faculty, and evaluate how each school aligns with your goals to ensure you develop the skills, network, and inspiration needed for a successful career in design.