Best Design Colleges in USA: Courses, Fees, Requirements and Jobs

The US is home to some of the world’s top design schools, known for their numerous certificate, undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctorate level design programs. With industry connections, and opportunities to develop innovative portfolios, the best design colleges in USA offer various specializations include graphic design, interior design, media design, and animation etc. In 2024, more than 40 universities in USA have successfully secured their position in QS World University rankings for Art and Design. Among them, the best design schools in USA include Yale University, New York University, University of California Los Angeles, University of Florida, and Rhode Island School of Design among others. 

Most design colleges in USA do not require standardized scores. They usually ask for a bachelor's degree in a design-related field, but a common undergraduate degree may also be accepted. A minimum GPA of 3.0 (83-86%) or above is required, along with SOP, Letters of Recommendation, and having a 1-2 years of work experience is a plus. As per Payscale, the average annual base salary of a Design Engineer in USA is 75,224 USD. They get to work in companies like Boeing, EN Engineering, Intel, Northrop Grumman Corp, General Motors among others. 

Here’s a guide to some of the best design schools in the United States for Indian and international students interested in pursuing a career in fields like graphic design, product design, architecture, and digital media.

Read more: Why Study in USA

Best Design Colleges in USA for Indian Students

USA is home to some of the top universities offering highest ranking design programs to international students. After completing a design course in USA, students can work as graphic designers, UX designers, interior designers, fashion designers, or art directors in various industries. Among the different fields of design, web developers and digital designers are the most in-demand specializations to study in USA. Jobs in these areas are expected to grow the most, reaching a 23% increase by 2031.

The following section shows the some of the best design colleges in the US:

Conversion rate: 1 USD= 84.38 INR as on November 13, 2024

Also check: Requirements to Study in USA

Admission Requirements for Best Design Colleges in America

Admissions to the best design colleges in America are usually offered in the Fall and Winter intakes in USA, somewhere around mid October to February. Students who are interested in applying for these courses should have the documents which include their transcripts, SOP, Recommendation letters, Portfolios along with English proficiency test score. A detailed description regarding admission is provided below:

Eligibility Criteria for Best Design Schools in US

Before applying, one must check the eligibility criteria for their required course and documentations should be ready beforehand for smooth application of the form. Below are the common requirement necessary for international students:

• Academic Degree- Usually a Bachelor's degree is required in design related field but a common undergraduate degree also works for graduate programs
• Minimum GPA- 3.0 (83-86%) or above is required
• GRE or GMAT Score- For most Universities, no GRE or GMAT scores are required
• English Proficiency Test Score- TOEFL: 75 to 102 | IELTS: 6.5 to 7.0
• Statement of Purpose/Essay- Most universities require a 500 word statement of purpose which shows your interest and purpose for the pursuing the program
• Letters of Recommendation- 2-3 letters of recommendation are required by most universities offering this program especially in the Masters program
• Coursework- An average of 10-15 Artwork Portfolio is required for applying at Masters degree of Design
• Experience- Though Most universities do not need experience but one to two years of experience can be beneficial during application of the form.

Also check:

Scholarships for Best Design Programs in US

Living in USA for an international student can be hard on the pockets. Therefore, various organizations have scholarships which are provided to the students to help them financially to study best design programs in US. Some of the scholarships to study in USA are as follows:

Jobs and Salaries After Best Design Schools in USA

The job market in USA attract students from all over the world. Various top organizations like Google, Amazon etc are looking for individuals with knowledge of design in order to add them in their team. Popular professions in Design and their average annual salary is provided below:

Conversion: 1 USD = 84.41 INR as of November 13, 2024

Read more:

When choosing a design school in the U.S., consider factors like location, program offerings, faculty expertise, internship opportunities, and the strength of the alumni network. Design schools located in creative hubs such as New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco provide excellent networking opportunities with established professionals in fields such as fashion, tech, and media.

FAQs