The United States is home to several highly ranked art and design schools. Many are located in major creative centers, including cities featured in our guide to the best cities to study in the United States, and offer programs across a wide range of design and media disciplines.
The institutions below offer specialized studios, laboratories, libraries, galleries, and interdisciplinary learning opportunities. Accreditation varies by institution and program, so prospective students should confirm the accreditation status of the specific degree they plan to pursue.
Read through this article for details about some of the best design schools in the USA.
Top Design Schools in the USA
1. The New School
Parsons School of Design at The New School, located in New York City, placed third globally in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject for Art and Design. Its interdisciplinary approach allows students to work with peers across The New School and connect with industries and communities in New York and beyond.
Parsons students have access to university libraries, computer laboratories, archives, studios, exhibition spaces, and the Parsons Making Center, which provides facilities and tools for hands-on creative work.
Parsons offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as communication design, fashion design, fine arts, photography, product design, strategic design and management, design and technology, interior design, and architecture. It also provides associate degree programs for working professionals, continuing and professional education, and pre-college programs.
2. Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is a private nonprofit college in Providence, Rhode Island. Incorporated in 1877, it is one of the first independent colleges of art and design established in the United States. RISD placed fourth globally in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject for Art and Design.
RISD offers undergraduate programs in fields such as apparel design, architecture, furniture design, and graphic design, as well as graduate programs in areas including design engineering, glass, and global arts and cultures. SAT and ACT scores are optional for first-year applicants. Applicants who speak English as a second language are generally required to submit an approved English proficiency test, such as the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test, unless they qualify for an exemption under RISD’s current policy.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, RISD undergraduate tuition is $66,460. The university estimates a total cost of attendance of $93,776 after required fees and estimated living, transportation, book, and personal expenses are included.
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The School of Architecture and Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) includes the Department of Architecture, the Department of Urban Studies and Planning, the MIT Media Lab, the Center for Real Estate, the Program in Art, Culture, and Technology, and the MIT Morningside Academy for Design. MIT placed sixth globally in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject for Art and Design.
MIT’s Department of Architecture offers the Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Art and Design, along with graduate degrees including the Master of Architecture, Master of Science in Architecture Studies, Master of Science in Building Technology, Master of Science in Art, Culture, and Technology, and a doctoral program. The MIT Morningside Academy for Design Fellowship is open to eligible current MIT master’s and doctoral students who will remain enrolled during the fellowship period; it is not an award automatically available to graduates.
Undergraduate applicants apply to MIT as a whole rather than to a particular department or major. MIT currently requires first-year applicants to submit either SAT or ACT scores. Its published first-year admission statistics show an overall admission rate of approximately 4.6%, making admission highly selective.
4. School of the Art Institute of Chicago
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is a private art and design school located in downtown Chicago. It placed 11th globally in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject for Art and Design.
Undergraduate students can study across numerous art and design disciplines, including art and technology, fashion design, film, video, new media and animation, performance, ceramics, fiber and material studies, and painting and drawing. SAIC also offers graduate programs across a broad range of studio, design, writing, art education, art therapy, and art history fields.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, SAIC charges undergraduate tuition of $1,982 per credit hour and graduate tuition of $2,066 per credit hour. A student’s total tuition depends on the number of credits taken, and required fees, supplies, housing, and other living expenses are additional.
5. Pratt Institute
Pratt Institute is a private university with its main campus in Brooklyn, New York. Pratt placed fifth globally in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject for Art and Design and offers a wide range of programs for domestic and international students.
Pratt’s undergraduate programs include architecture, construction management, communications design, industrial design, interior design, photography, and other related fields. Graduate options include historic preservation, dance/movement therapy, communications design, interior design, and industrial design. The institute also provides continuing and professional studies.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, full-time undergraduate tuition for students taking 12 to 18 credits per semester is $64,703 for the year. Undergraduate students taking fewer than 12 credits are generally charged $2,087 per credit. Graduate tuition varies by program, with most graduate programs charging $2,310 per credit.
The USA has many strong design schools, and the institutions above offer distinct curricula, facilities, and academic opportunities. Before applying, students should compare current tuition and fees, portfolio expectations, testing policies, program accreditation, and financial aid options. Students can also explore tuition-free and lower-cost design study options in other locations.
We hope this article on the best design schools in the USA was informative. Visit our Study in the USA Page and Available Courses for International Students!
