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CIP 50.0404 Visual and Performing Arts

Industrial and Product Design

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

Total graduates

1,340

2025 · 62 schools

International share

13.2%

177 international students

Bachelor's degrees

1,194

9.9% international

Master's degrees

121

47.1% international

Overview

Industrial and Product Design is a multidisciplinary field that focuses on the development of new products and systems that enhance user experience, functionality, and aesthetics. This discipline combines elements of engineering, design, and business to create innovative solutions that meet consumer needs and market demands.

Students in this major learn to sketch ideas, create prototypes, and use computer-aided design (CAD) software to bring their concepts to life. The curriculum often includes courses in materials science, ergonomics, manufacturing processes, and sustainability, preparing graduates to consider not only the look and feel of a product but also its environmental impact and usability.

Industrial and Product Designers play a vital role in various industries, including consumer electronics, furniture, automotive, and medical devices. They work closely with engineers, marketers, and manufacturers to ensure that the final product is not only visually appealing but also functional, cost-effective, and manufacturable.

The field is increasingly focused on user-centered design, which emphasizes understanding the needs and behaviors of users to create products that enhance their daily lives. As technology advances, designers are also exploring the integration of smart technology and automation into products, making this a dynamic and evolving field.

Overall, a degree in Industrial and Product Design equips students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in a competitive job market, where creativity, technical expertise, and problem-solving abilities are highly valued. Graduates often find careers as product designers, design researchers, or project managers in various sectors, contributing to the development of innovative products that shape our world.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2002 to 2025, graduates grew 2% and the international share went from 7.1% to 13.2%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
53.1%
Asian
10.5%
Hispanic
12.2%
Black
3.4%
Other
7.6%
Intl.
13.2%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 62 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#44 Ohio State University-Main Campus Ohio 18 2
#49 University of Washington-Seattle Campus Washington 19 0
#52 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Virginia 35 1
#55 Purdue University-Main Campus Indiana 26 2
#59 University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minnesota 31 1
#72 Syracuse University New York 20 2
#73 North Carolina State University at Raleigh North Carolina 23 0
#80 Clemson University South Carolina 104 3
#85 New Jersey Institute of Technology New Jersey 8 0
#95 University of Illinois at Chicago Illinois 32 4
#95 Rochester Institute of Technology New York 61 10
#100 Auburn University Alabama 41 3
#116 Iowa State University Iowa 25 1
#116 Brigham Young University-Provo Utah 17 0
#121 Arizona State University-Tempe Arizona 33 1
#137 California State University--Long Beach California 28 1
#137 San Jose State University California 23 1
#137 University of Houston Texas 19 0
#148 University of Kentucky Kentucky 8 0
#156 Kansas State University Kansas 14 0
#156 Montclair State University New Jersey 4 0
#169 DePaul University Illinois 5 0
#179 University of Utah Utah 28 1
#191 University of Arkansas Arkansas 6 0
#227 San Francisco State University California 37 0
#227 The New School New York 114 43
#276 Western Michigan University Michigan 18 0
#288 Utah State University Utah 41 0
#317 Ferris State University Michigan 5 1
#317 Kean University New Jersey 12 0
#353 University of Louisiana--Lafayette Louisiana 9 0
#365 Liberty University Virginia 8 0
#382 Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus Puerto Rico 7 0
— Pratt Institute-Main New York 115 69
— Wentworth Institute of Technology Massachusetts 32 2
— Fashion Institute of Technology New York 29 3
— University of Wisconsin-Stout Wisconsin 29 1
— Western Governors University Utah 29 0
— Metropolitan State University of Denver Colorado 28 0
— Appalachian State University North Carolina 28 0
— Cedarville University Ohio 19 0
— California College of the Arts California 17 11
— Otis College of Art and Design California 14 5
— Massachusetts College of Art and Design Massachusetts 13 0
— Lawrence Technological University Michigan 11 0
— CUNY LaGuardia Community College New York 10 2
— Western Washington University Washington 10 0
— University of Advancing Technology Arizona 10 0
— Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Wisconsin 8 0
— GateWay Community College Arizona 7 0
— Maryland Institute College of Art Maryland 7 3
— Pennsylvania College of Technology Pennsylvania 7 0
— Cleveland Institute of Art Ohio 6 1
— Columbus College of Art & Design Ohio 6 0
— Johnson & Wales University-Providence Rhode Island 6 0
— Cranbrook Academy of Art Michigan 4 2
— Walla Walla University Washington 4 0
— Newschool of Architecture and Design California 3 0
— Minneapolis College of Art and Design Minnesota 3 0
— Davis & Elkins College West Virginia 2 0
— Escuela de Artes Plasticas y Diseno de Puerto Rico Puerto Rico 2 0
— Kansas City Art Institute Missouri 1 0

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Related jobs and pay

OccupationUS employmentMean hourly wageMean annual wage
Graphic Designers 197,830 $33.92 $70,560
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 93,560 — $94,700
Commercial and Industrial Designers 33,490 $44.84 $93,260
Designers, All Other 9,480 $38.02 $79,090

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2002–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.