Best Design and Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has 19 colleges offering Design and Applied Arts programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 880 recent graduates. Graduates in Pennsylvania earn $37,072 on average within two years — 7% above the national average of $34,594, making the state one of the stronger markets for this field.

School choice matters significantly: Carnegie Mellon University graduates earn $89,859 while Hussian College-Philadelphia graduates earn $13,702 — a $76,157 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in PA

$37,072

PA Avg. Earnings

$34,594

National Avg.

311

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Design and Applied Arts in Pennsylvania

Public Schools (4)

$37,447

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (13)

$38,784

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $1,337 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 Pennsylvania, Ranked by Earnings

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA · Private

$89,859

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $85,041

Graduates: 38

Acceptance: 11.4%

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA · Private

$45,477

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,133

Graduates: 258

Acceptance: 77.5%

Temple University

Philadelphia, PA · Public

$42,682

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $43,047

Graduates: 61

Acceptance: 82.9%

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Kutztown, PA · Public

$39,677

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,919

Graduates: 99

Acceptance: 94.8%

Arcadia University

Glenside, PA · Private

$39,369

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 79.2%

Susquehanna University

Selinsgrove, PA · Private

$39,369

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 78.7%

Mercyhurst University

Erie, PA · Private

$39,009

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,341

Graduates: 19

Acceptance: 83.2%

Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus

Indiana, PA · Public

$38,289

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,645

Graduates: 40

Acceptance: 91.2%

Pennsylvania College of Technology

Williamsport, PA ·

$36,674

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,991

Graduates: 33

Acceptance: N/A

#10

Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, PA · Private

Marywood University

Scranton, PA · Private

$35,823

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,999

Graduates: 26

Acceptance: 83.7%

#12

Albright College

Reading, PA · Private

$35,701

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,236

Graduates: 40

Acceptance: 86.2%

#13

Cabrini University

Radnor, PA · Private

Moore College of Art and Design

Philadelphia, PA · Private

$31,314

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,976

Graduates: 97

Acceptance: 60.5%

#15

York College of Pennsylvania

York, PA · Private

$30,119

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,479

Graduates: 17

Acceptance: 94.2%

#16

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg, PA · Public

Robert Morris University

Moon Township, PA · Private

$24,421

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,469

Graduates: 51

Acceptance: 90.6%

#18

University of the Arts

Philadelphia, PA · Private

$22,329

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $21,067

Graduates: 101

Acceptance: 78.2%

#19

Hussian College-Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA · For-Profit

$13,702

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Carnegie Mellon University ranks #1 for Design and Applied Arts in Pennsylvania with median graduate earnings of $89,859 within two years of graduation. There are 19 schools offering Design and Applied Arts programs in the state.

How much do Design and Applied Arts graduates earn in Pennsylvania?

Design and Applied Arts graduates in Pennsylvania earn an average of $37,072 within two years of graduation. This is 7% above the national average of $34,594 for this major.

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

Carnegie Mellon University is the most selective Design and Applied Arts program in Pennsylvania with an acceptance rate of 11.4%. The average acceptance rate across Design and Applied Arts programs in the state is 78.9%.

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

In Pennsylvania, private Design and Applied Arts programs produce average earnings of $38,784 vs $37,447 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 4 public and 13 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Pennsylvania

Computer Science $80,288 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other $75,470 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $75,030 Industrial Engineering $72,729 Business/Managerial Economics $71,719 Materials Engineering $71,420 Chemical Engineering $71,371 Computer Engineering $71,016

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Design and Applied Arts in Other States

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