Masters in Design in the USA: Fees 2024, Top Colleges, Placements & Salaries

Masters in Design in the USA: Fees 2024, Top Colleges, Placements & Salaries

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Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated On - Aug 8, 2024

Highlights -

  • Course Duration - MS in fashion designing in the USA is of two years but if you enter without any previous formal study of design or a portfolio, it might take up to 3 years.
  • Design Courses - Other than Masters, you can also study other PG courses in Design in the USA are Master of Professional Studies (MPS), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Master of Arts (MA), and Master of Design (MDes)
  • Job Roles - Graduates can work as product designers, graphic designers, UX/UI designers, fashion designers, and more, earning an average salary of 84,000 USD (68 lakhs INR) which can go as high as 153,000 USD (1.25 crore INR).
  • Salary - Graduates of ms in Interior Design in the USA can earn an average annual salary of 66,000 USD (54 lakhs INR)
  • Recruiters - Some of the top employers for design graduates are Google, Apple, Walt Disney, Microsoft, etc.

A Masters in Design in the USA has a strong focus on the application of artistic and computer-aided design skills to the interpretation of commercial and technical information for the public. Compared to design courses at the undergraduate level, this graduate qualification offers the opportunity to focus on more complex design principles and the processes that bring them to life.

Masters in Design in the USA contains various programs like graphic, fashion design, illustration, and architecture. To be eligible for admission to design programs in the USA, you must have a solid portfolio showcasing your work over the years.

Masters in Design in USA calls for a combination of personal creativity with professional skills such as project management. The tuition fee in the best universities for Masters in Design in the USA ranges from USD 44,000 to USD 97,000 per year which is estimated to be INR 36 Lakhs to INR 80 Lakhs per annum.

  • Completing a Master of Design program can help you develop in-depth knowledge of a particular specialization, such as typography or illustration, or enter a related area such as multimedia, landscape architecture, or interior design.
  • Some design courses will allow you to collaborate with other creative types, such as fine artists or filmmakers.
  • Usually, MS in fashion designing in the USA is of two years but if you enter without any previous formal study of design or a portfolio, it might take up to 3 years.

Some of the key skills that are needed to pursue a master of design USA are -

  • Project management
  • Research and editorial skills
  • Presentation and other communication skills
  • Computer-aided design skills
  • Creativity and innovation
  • General software skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Critical awareness
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Best Universities for Masters in Design in USA

The following are some popular universities for Masters in Design in USA:

University Program Application Deadlines Tuition Fee per year (USD)
Parsons School of Design at the New School MFA: Design and Technology | MFA: Fashion Design and Society | MPS: Fashion Management 5 Jan 2024 $59,460 (INR 53,83,589)
Rhode Island School of Design MFA: Graphic Design | MID: Industrial Design November 1 2024 $61,564 (INR 55,74,088)
School of Art Institute of Chicago MFA in Studio: Design for Emerging Technologies 10 Jan 2024 $57,780 (INR 52,31,479)
Pratt Institute MFA: Interior Design 5 Jan 2024
April 5, 2024
$51240 (INR 46,39,339)
Art Center of Design MFA: Graphic Design | Media Design Practice | Transportation Systems and Design Fall term - November 15, 2024
Spring term - October 1, 2024
$56,104 INR 50,78,732
Stanford University MFA in Design 1 Dec 2023 58,746
Carnegie Mellon University MA in Design 15 Jan 2024 $45,000 INR 40,74,361
California Institute of Arts MFA: Design | MDes: Interaction Design 5 Jan 2024 $58,318 INR 52,80,191
School of Visual Arts MFA: Design | MFA: Design for Social Innovation | MA: Design Research, Writing, and Criticism 15 Jan 2024 $57,370 INR 51,99,225

Why Study Masters in Design in USA?

Masters in Design in the USA is a well-structured and well-planned program offered by several accredited and top universities in the world. Here are some of the major reasons to pursue a Masters in Design in USA:-

  • 3 top universities for Masters in Design in the USA are ranked among the top 10 and 25+ universities are ranked among the top 100 universities of the world for Design as per the QS Rankings 2024.
  • According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of jobs in arts and design fields is expected to rise and is predicted to generate approximately 95,800 fresh employment opportunities from 2022 to 2032.
  • The demand for art directors is expected to increase by 6% between 2022 and 2032. On average, approximately 13,800 job opportunities for art directors are anticipated to become available each year over the next decade.
  • The US Bureau of Labor Statistics also anticipates a 3 expansion in employment opportunities for graphic designers from 2022 to 2032. During this period, approximately 22,800 job openings are expected to become available.

Admissions to Masters in Design in USA

Universities accept admissions for Masters in Design in the USA twice a year: fall and spring sessions. International candidates are advised to keep an eye on the application deadlines and apply at the earliest. The admission requirements vary with the university, still possessing a 4-year bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA from a recognized university is considered the threshold.

Masters in Design in USA Requirements

The following eligibility criteria are followed by a majority of universities for accepting admissions in Masters in Design in the USA for international students:

  • BA/BFA/BS from an accredited institution
  • Prior professional experience of at least 2–5 years
  • 2 academic and 1 professional Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
  • A 500-750 word Statement of Purpose (SOP)
  • Official transcripts or certified copies of transcripts
  • Updated Resume or CV
  • Portfolio
  • Personal Interview
  • A valid passport
  • US Student Visa
  • Proof of English Proficiency:-
    IELTS: 6.5 to 8 overall score
    - TOEFL iBT: 79 to 100 overall score
  • US Student Visa

Masters in Design in the USA: Admission Requirements

Here are the entry requirements for pursuing Master in Design in the USA for international students:

University Bachelor’s Degree Requirements English Language Requirements
Parsons School of Design at the New School Bachelor's degree in Arts or Design with at least 5 years of professional experience IELTS: 7 (with at least 6.5 in each band) | TOEFL: 92
Rhode Island School of Design 4-year bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA from a recognized university IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6 in each band) | TOEFL: 93
School of Art Institute of Chicago 4-year bachelor’s degree from a recognized university IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6 in each band) | TOEFL: 85 (at least 21 in each section)
Pratt Institute 3-year bachelor’s degree from a recognized university IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6 in each band) | TOEFL: 79
Art Center of Design Bachelor’s degree in Arts or Design from a recognized university IELTS: 7.5 (with at least 7 in each band) | TOEFL: 100 (at least 25 in each section)
Stanford University BA/BFA/BS from an accredited institution with at least 3 years of professional experience TOEFL: 100 (at least 25 in each section)
Carnegie Mellon University Bachelor’s degree in Arts or Design from a recognized university with at least 2 years of professional experience IELTS: 7.5 (with at least 7 in each band) | TOEFL: 102 (at least 25 in each section)
California Institute of Arts BA/BFA/BS from an accredited institution | 3-year bachelor’s degree from India with grade A IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6 in each band) | TOEFL: 80
School of Visual Arts Bachelor’s degree in Arts or Design from a recognized university IELTS: 8 (with at least 7.5 in each band) | TOEFL: 100 (at least 25 in each section)
Columbia University First bachelor’s degree, B.Arch., or March from a recognized university with at least 5 years of professional experience IELTS: 7 (with at least 6.5 in each band) | TOEFL: 100 (at least 25 in each section)

Masters in Design in the USA: Costs

The total cost of pursuing a Master in Design in the USA includes the tuition fees of universities and the cost of living in the USA. A detailed breakdown of the costs that an international student can expect to incur is provided below. It is always preferable to be aware of the costs involved and optimize the budget ahead of time to ensure a smooth experience.

Masters in Design in USA Fees

The average tuition costs for pursuing a Masters in Design in the USA fall between USD 43,000 and USD 73,000 or INR 35.1 Lakhs and INR 59.6 Lakhs. The university-wise tuition fee distribution for Masters in Design in the USA is given below:

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Cost of Living in the USA

USA is the most popular as well as the costliest study abroad destination for a Master in Design. This corresponds to the quality of education, safety, ambiance, and health services offered by the country. The following table shows the average expense and the cost of living in the USA for international students:

Expense Type Cost Per Month (USD) Monthly Cost Equivalent (INR)
On-campus Accommodation 2,450 to 2,775 1.99 to 2.26 Lakhs
Books and stationery 500 to 1,000 40,600 to 81,300
Food 2,500 2 Lakhs
Clothes 500 40,600
Public Transport 500 to 1,200 40,600 to 97,600
Miscellaneous 2,000 1.63 Lakhs

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Masters in Design in the USA: Scholarships

Students who find the cost of studying Master's in Design in the USA unaffordable may look out for university scholarships and grant options to fund their scholarships. Following is the list of some of the popular scholarships in the USA available for Master in Design in the USA:-

Scholarship University Eligibility Award
Pratt Restricted Awards and Scholarship Pratt Institute Full-time students with academic excellence have financial needs USD 100 to 1,000
Teknik Student Loans Carnegie Mellon University Individuals with at least a 3.0 out of 4.0 GPA having a financial need USD 2,500 t 5,000
Visionary Practice Scholarship California Institute of Arts US graduate applicants who have completed FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADA) Up to USD 26,000 per year
SVA Matching Outside Scholarship School of Visual Arts Full-time students with academic excellence have financial needs Up to 2,500 per year
Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships US Government Citizen of a country with Rotary clubs | 2 years of college course work or equivalent Up to 25,000 USD
Fulbright Scholarships for Indians US Government Indian citizen | Academic excellence | English proficiency Monthly stipend, Tuition, and cost of attendance coverage
Inlaks Scholarship US Government Indian citizen | Minimum 65-75% marks 100,000 USD
AAUW International Fellowship US Government Non-US-based women pursuing master’s and doctoral programs in the USA 20,000-50,000 USD
JN Tata Endowment Fund (loan) US Government Indian citizens | Bachelor’s degree | Minimum 60% marks 1,00,000-10,00,000 INR

Masters in Design in USA Salary

Masters in Design in the USA offers some job opportunities such that they can earn an annual salary ranging from USD 57,200 to USD 135,250, equivalent to INR 46.7 Lakhs to INR 1.1 Crore. Some of the popular job profiles available after a Master in Design in the USA are given in the following table along with their corresponding payouts:

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Job Title Average Salary (USD) Average Salary (INR)
Graphic Designer 51,840 43 lakhs
Creative Director 96,532 80 lakhs
Art Director 79,697 66 lakhs
Visual Designer 84,889 70 lakhs
UX Designer 69,281 57 lakhs
User Experience Researcher 102,318 85 lakhs
Instructional Designer 66,537 55 lakhs
Technical Project Manager 110,918 92 lakhs
Product Design Engineer 75,849 63 lakhs
Landscape Designer 60,792 50 lakhs

Masters in Design in the USA is a beneficial program for candidates willing to pursue a career in the fields of Graphic Design, Media Design Practice, Transportation Systems and Design, etc. A hike of around 3% is expected in the career opportunities for MS in Design graduates in USA in the next 5 years.

FAQs

Ques. What is the duration of a Master's in Design program in the USA?

Ans. Master's in design programs in the USA span two to three years, depending on whether you pursue them full-time or part-time.

Ques. What are the admission requirements for Master's in design programs in the USA?

Ans. Admission requirements vary but generally include a bachelor's degree, transcripts, letters of recommendation, a portfolio showcasing your design work, a statement of purpose, and sometimes standardized test scores like the GRE or GMAT.

Ques. Can I pursue a Master's in Design if my undergraduate degree is not in a design-related field?

Ans. Many programs welcome applicants from diverse academic backgrounds. However, some prerequisite coursework or a strong portfolio may be required to demonstrate your aptitude for design.

Ques. Are there specific specializations offered within Master's in Design programs?

Ans. Most programs offer various specializations such as graphic design, industrial design, user experience (UX) design, fashion design, interior design, and more.

Ques. How much emphasis is placed on practical projects in these programs?

Ans. Master's in design programs often balance theoretical knowledge and practical application, with a significant emphasis on hands-on projects, design research, and real-world problem-solving.

Ques. Are internships or co-op opportunities available as part of the curriculum?

Ans. Many programs offer internships, or industry partnerships to provide students with practical work experience and networking opportunities in the field of design.

Ques. What career prospects can I expect after completing a Master's in Design in the USA?

Ans. Graduates of Master's in Design programs pursue diverse career paths, including roles as designers, art directors, creative directors, UX/UI designers, design researchers, design educators, and more, across industries such as technology, fashion, advertising, and manufacturing.

Ques. Are there opportunities for international students to obtain work visas or stay back after graduation?

Ans. International students can explore various visa options such as the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, Curricular Practical Training (CPT), or applying for work visas like the H-1B after graduation to gain work experience or seek employment in the USA.

Ques. What are the key differences between Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in design programs?

Ans.Master of Arts (MA) programs typically focus more on the theoretical and research aspects of design, while Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programs often emphasize studio practice and creative expression. Both degrees can lead to fulfilling careers in design but may cater to different professional goals and interests.​

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