Best Design and Applied Arts Schools in New York

New York has 28 colleges offering Design and Applied Arts programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 2,510 recent graduates. Graduates earn $33,771 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $34,594.

School choice matters significantly: State University of New York at New Paltz graduates earn $51,273 while SUNY College of Technology at Canton graduates earn $21,964 — a $29,309 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in NY

$33,771

NY Avg. Earnings

$34,594

National Avg.

311

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Design and Applied Arts in New York

Public Schools (10)

$32,460

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (16)

$34,364

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $1,904 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Design and Applied Arts Schools in New York, Ranked by Earnings

State University of New York at New Paltz

New Paltz, NY · Public

$51,273

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,623

Graduates: 16

Acceptance: 58.7%

Marist University

Poughkeepsie, NY · Private

$49,270

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,263

Graduates: 24

Acceptance: 64.7%

The College of Saint Rose

Albany, NY · Private

$43,000

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,736

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 73.4%

Nazareth University

Rochester, NY · Private

$41,193

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,762

Graduates: 21

Acceptance: 79.5%

Fashion Institute of Technology

New York, NY · Public

$41,076

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,289

Graduates: 635

Acceptance: 57.6%

St. John's University-New York

Queens, NY · Private

$41,025

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 79.7%

LIM College

New York, NY · For-Profit

$39,585

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,739

Graduates: 33

Acceptance: 98.8%

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY · Private

$38,505

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,400

Graduates: 154

Acceptance: 41.7%

Pratt Institute-Main

Brooklyn, NY · Private

$38,424

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,210

Graduates: 298

Acceptance: 53.2%

#10

New York Institute of Technology

Old Westbury, NY · Private

SUNY Buffalo State University

Buffalo, NY · Public

The New School

New York, NY · Private

$35,630

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,178

Graduates: 342

Acceptance: 62.5%

#13

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY · Private

$34,369

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,795

Graduates: 180

Acceptance: 71.4%

#14

Farmingdale State College

Farmingdale, NY · Public

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,474

Graduates: 56

Acceptance: 69.1%

#15

Cazenovia College

Cazenovia, NY · Private

$32,094

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,441

Graduates: 85

Acceptance: N/A

#16

Villa Maria College

Buffalo, NY · Private

$31,581

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,578

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: 86.7%

#17

School of Visual Arts

New York, NY · For-Profit

$31,567

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $22,489

Graduates: 209

Acceptance: 91.3%

#18

CUNY New York City College of Technology

Brooklyn, NY · Public

$29,902

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,519

Graduates: 129

Acceptance: 80.7%

#19

State University of New York at Cortland

Cortland, NY · Public

$29,685

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $30,702

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: 50.7%

#20

Marymount Manhattan College

New York, NY · Private

$28,960

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,409

Graduates: 38

Acceptance: 78.9%

#21

State University of New York at Oswego

Oswego, NY · Public

$28,960

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,706

Graduates: 72

Acceptance: 80.4%

#22

SUNY at Fredonia

Fredonia, NY · Public

$28,816

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,958

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: 79.2%

#23

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY · Private

$26,739

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $46,471

Graduates: 30

Acceptance: 58.5%

#24

Russell Sage College

Troy, NY · Private

$25,194

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,683

Graduates: 27

Acceptance: 76.2%

#25

Long Island University

Brookville, NY · Private

CUNY Queens College

Queens, NY · Public

$23,068

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,634

Graduates: 69

Acceptance: 68.5%

#27

Mercy University

Dobbs Ferry, NY · Private

SUNY College of Technology at Canton

Canton, NY · Public

$21,964

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $26,701

Graduates: 16

Acceptance: 96.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Design and Applied Arts in New York?

State University of New York at New Paltz ranks #1 for Design and Applied Arts in New York with median graduate earnings of $51,273 within two years of graduation. There are 28 schools offering Design and Applied Arts programs in the state.

How much do Design and Applied Arts graduates earn in New York?

Design and Applied Arts graduates in New York earn an average of $33,771 within two years of graduation. This is 2% below the national average of $34,594 for this major.

What is the hardest Design and Applied Arts school to get into in New York?

Syracuse University is the most selective Design and Applied Arts program in New York with an acceptance rate of 41.7%. The average acceptance rate across Design and Applied Arts programs in the state is 73.6%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Design and Applied Arts in New York?

In New York, private Design and Applied Arts programs produce average earnings of $34,364 vs $32,460 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 10 public and 16 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in New York

Computer Science $71,535 Computer Engineering $71,263 Industrial Engineering $69,459 Construction Management $67,560 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $66,924 Materials Engineering $66,884 Civil Engineering $65,927 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $65,117

All colleges in New York →

Design and Applied Arts in Other States

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.