Best Design Schools

How are the Top Design Programs Chosen?

Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.

Explore the Best Design Programs with Appily!

Create a Appily account to start saving schools to your personal list. Wondering where you stand when applying to the best universities in the USA? You can also see your chances of acceptance and get insights into your target, reach, and likely schools.

Rochester Institute of Technology

The Rochester Institute of Technology is a 4-year private university of technology, arts, and design in northwest New York State. RIT is home to 11 colleges and schools conferring undergraduate degrees. Additionally, RIT offers a co-op program that...

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Part of being a Software Engineering major means spending a year with Computer Science students learning the basics of computer programming. When I first came to RIT, I knew nothing about writing code but the classes challenged and taught me well and...

” – Geoff from Avon, NY
Saint Vincent College

Founded in 1846, Saint Vincent College is a private institution operated by Benedictine monks. The college combines Catholic and Benedictine tradition with a liberal arts and sciences curriculum. Rated as having “selective” admissions, the college is...

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I chose to come to St. Vincent because I knew that I wanted to major in the sciences. They have a new state of the art science center and the teachers here really know what they are talking about.

” – Sara from Scottdale, PA
Ohio Northern University

Ohio Northern University is a private institution based in Ada, OH, associated with the United Methodist Church. ONU is a sister university of a private school in Seoul, South Korea, the Dankook University. ONU offers one of the only pharmacy...

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Smaller school but a lot of majors to choose from. Teachers will take an interest in their students

” – HS Senior looking for the right college
Bradley University

Bradley University is a top-ranked, private university in Peoria, Illinois, founded by Lydia Moss Bradley, an amazing, future-focused woman in 1897. Here, you’ll have lots of opportunities to discover and learn through study abroad programs, unique...

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Wow. Bradley University is a wonderful college for those who want to receive a great education in any chosen field of study. Bradley offers the best of the best college professors who all share the same passion and enthusiasm in not only their...

” – BRITTANY from Matteson, IL
Susquehanna University

With a campus overlooking its eponymous river, Susquehanna University is a 4-year institution in central Pennsylvania featuring a liberal arts curriculum and pre-professional studies. Susquehanna is home to schools of Business and Arts & Sciences...

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The faculty at SU is wonderful. Everyone wants you to succeed. If going to class and taking notes aren't enough, professors are more than willing to take time out of their schedules to sit down with you to discuss the material until you truly...

” – Megan from Wilkes-Barre, PA
University of Delaware

The University of Delaware is a 4-year public university in northern Delaware and one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the country—noting signers of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution in its first graduating...

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Pulling an all nighter never seemed so exciting before. One computer science class, and I felt like I could tackle and computer programming question out there. Most classes are similar in the amount of learning that goes on. Everywhere you turn...

” – David from Fairfield, CT
University of North Carolina School of the Arts

University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public institution and arts conservatory in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It is the first school of Arts in the nation to be funded by the state. The most popular fields of study are...

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It has been called the magic hill and I believe it is. Magic is made, created, imagined, seen, and discovered here. YOU WILL WORK HARDER THAN YOU EVER HAVE AND BE MORE EXHAUSTED THAN YOU'VE EVER BEEN AND, HOPEFULLY, THE MOST FULFILLED YOU HAVE EVER...

” – Carissa from Sacramento, CA
Creighton University

Founded in 1878 by the Society of Jesus, Creighton University is a Jesuit Catholic university in Omaha. Creighton hosts nine colleges and schools offering degrees in over 140 areas of study. As a Catholic institution, Creighton holds daily mass and...

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I have never worked so hard in my life. The process has so much stress, but it is the progress the feels the best.

” – Audrianna from Omaha , NE
Elmhurst University

Elmhurst University is a liberal arts institution in the Chicagoland area affiliated with the United Church of Christ. Elmhurst offers bachelor’s degrees in over 60 academic majors. Additionally, the school operates the Elmhurst Learning and Success...

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I really am learning a lot in this school. I'm not just learning things for my major but also things that I can apply towards life in general. Going to a liberal arts school helps you learn many things that can used for many majors.

” – Liliana from Glendale Heights, IL
University of Redlands

Centrally located near the beaches, mountains, and desert in the heart of Southern California, the University of Redlands offers more than 40 undergraduate programs, as well as 20 graduate programs. The unique combination of liberal arts, pre...

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I just completed my freshman year here so I have not taken many classes, however, every class I have taken has taught me quite a bit. My favorite part about the classes is the size; even introductory classes are never above 40 students. In fact, I...

” – Alaina from Portland, OR
Elon University

Elon University is a selective, mid-size institution located in central North Carolina. It is a nationally recognized leader in engaged, experiential learning that prepares graduates to be creative, resilient, ambitious and ethical citizens of our...

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I have loved my classes and teachers here at Elon. I transferred from a community college, so I dived right into some of the harder classes, but even the beginning ones I took taught me so much. My favorite class was Business Communications, our...

” – David from Hunt Valley, MD
University of South Florida

The University of South Florida is a public research university located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, offering more than 180 majors and concentrations. Ranked on multiple lists for its research efforts, USF’s Office of Undergraduate Research at the Tampa...

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Besides your core classes that apply directly to your major, students must meet “Gordon Rule” requirements in order to graduate. These classes have broadened my horizon tremendously. I never would have taken Anthropology, World Regional Geography, or...

” – Julie from Deland, FL
St Catherine University

St. Catherine University (St. Kate’s) is a private 4-year Catholic university that is respected globally for educating women to lead and influence. Located in St. Paul, Minnesota, St. Kate’s is the largest private women’s university in the nation and...

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The things I learn in class, I can connect to my outside life. I took a history class last year and to help me study for the final, I watched Pearl Harbor at home and made connections! It was a fun way to help me study! Believe it or not, I also...

” – Kayla from South St Paul, MN
State University of New York at New Paltz

The State University of New York at New Paltz is 4-year public liberal arts institution in the Hudson Valley region of New York State and the area’s only residential public university. SUNY New Paltz is home to seven degree-granting colleges and...

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This is my first semester at New Paltz and I do feel like I am learning a lot. It's a liberal arts college, so there is a great variety of choices of classes to suit you. My professors are all very intelligent and have great styles of teaching, so it...

” – Brianna from Wappingers Falls, NY
Mercer University

Mercer University is one of America’s oldest and most distinctive institutions of higher learning, offering rigorous programs that span the undergraduate liberal arts to doctoral level degrees. While offering a breadth of programs found at much...

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Mercer provides students' a comprehensive liberal arts education comprised of engaging discussions, service learning and professors who care about your overall well-being. Classes are primarily discussion based and allow for student input and one-on...

” – Molly from Garnet Valley, PA
University at Buffalo

The University at Buffalo is a 4-year research institution offering more than 140 undergraduate degree programs. UB is the largest university in the State University of New York system by enrollment, but maintains a student-faculty ratio of 14:1...

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This school has great programs for several different disciplines: Pharmacy, Architecture, Dentistry, Law, Nursing, Anthropology, etc. Spend some time really considering which one you would most like to pursue and then really immerse yourself in it.

” – Matthew from Stockbridge, GA
University of Massachusetts-Lowell

The University of Massachusetts Lowell is the second largest public university in the state and maintains six colleges that collectively offer more than 120 majors. Programs at UMass Lowell span and interconnect the disciplines of business, education...

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UMass Lowell won't just teach you about writing, math, and science- it takes you beyond to learn about yourself. One must learn to manage time well with so many campus activities. The school also has a great amount of diversity, which helps students...

” – Jessica from Bradford, MA
New York School of Interior Design

The New York School of Interior Design is a private institution offering concentrations in interior design. The school offers certifications, associate, bachelor, and master programs, including fine arts degrees. NYSID offers joint programs working...

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Benedictine University was founded in 1887 by Benedectine monks. It is a private institution that has a “selective” admissions process and bases its curriculum on Roman Catholic teachings. It is home to the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum which houses...

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It is a small university. There is a lot of interaction between the professors and students. Professors are extremely nice and helpful, and they would help you anytime. This way i am learning a lot in every single course i am taking.

” – Mirza from Naperville, IL
Temple University

Temple University, founded in 1884, is a public, four-year high research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Home to more than 37,000 students, Temple offers more than 600 academic programs in 17 schools and colleges, on several...

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Whether it is a boring topic or not the faculty at Temple University makes sure that you learn the information in a fun or interesting manner.

” – Brooke from Philadelphia, PA