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CIP 50.0499 Visual and Performing Arts

Design and Applied Arts, Other

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

Total graduates

1,700

2025 · 66 schools

International share

6.8%

115 international students

Bachelor's degrees

1,290

5.0% international

Master's degrees

285

16.1% international

Overview

Design and Applied Arts, Other is an interdisciplinary field that encompasses a variety of creative disciplines focused on the application of design principles in practical and artistic contexts. This major is suitable for students who wish to explore diverse areas of design, including but not limited to fashion design, industrial design, interior design, graphic design, and textile design.

Students in this program typically engage in hands-on projects that allow them to develop their skills in visual communication, aesthetics, and problem-solving. The curriculum often includes courses in design theory, color theory, materials and methods, as well as digital design tools and software. Moreover, students are encouraged to think critically about design's role in society and how it can enhance user experience and functionality.

One of the key aspects of this major is its emphasis on creativity and innovation. Students are often tasked with developing their own design projects, which enables them to express their individuality and explore various styles and techniques. Collaboration with peers and industry professionals is also common, providing valuable networking opportunities and insights into the current trends in the design world.

Graduates of Design and Applied Arts, Other can pursue careers in a wide range of fields, including product design, brand identity development, visual merchandising, and more. With the growing demand for creative professionals who can blend aesthetics with functionality, this major equips students with the essential skills needed to succeed in various industries while fostering a strong foundation in artistic expression.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2002 to 2025, graduates fell 8% and the international share went from 3.9% to 6.8%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
36.8%
Asian
13.4%
Hispanic
21.1%
Black
10.2%
Other
11.7%
Intl.
6.8%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 66 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
#16 Washington University in St Louis Missouri 14 3
#20 University of California-Los Angeles California 62 14
#42 Northeastern University Massachusetts 5 1
#55 The Pennsylvania State University Pennsylvania 20 1
#55 Purdue University-Main Campus Indiana 5 2
#59 University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minnesota 12 3
#72 Syracuse University New York 13 1
#80 Drexel University Pennsylvania 8 0
#85 Southern Methodist University Texas 20 1
#100 Auburn University Alabama 9 3
#116 University of Oregon Oregon 41 1
#121 Arizona State University-Tempe Arizona 6 1
#121 University of Arizona Arizona 2 0
#121 University of Central Florida Florida 16 1
#121 Illinois Institute of Technology Illinois 5 3
#133 Thomas Jefferson University Pennsylvania 3 1
#137 California State University--Long Beach California 56 1
#137 San Jose State University California 175 8
#137 University of Maryland-Baltimore County Maryland 5 1
#156 Oregon State University Oregon 51 3
#156 Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia 37 3
#169 Butler University Indiana 5 1
#208 California State University-Sacramento California 40 1
#227 San Francisco State University California 7 1
#227 The New School New York 94 28
#276 Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Ohio 1 0
#276 Marymount University Virginia 3 0
#299 Tennessee Technological University Tennessee 28 0
#308 University of the Incarnate Word Texas 17 1
#317 Ferris State University Michigan 1 0
#332 University of Baltimore Maryland 13 1
#353 University of Michigan--Flint Michigan 7 0
LAC #34 Colorado College Colorado 19 0
LAC #85 Allegheny College Pennsylvania 5 0
LAC #142 The College of Idaho Idaho 2 1
LAC #172 Guilford College North Carolina 1 0
— Full Sail University Florida 386 0
— Maryland Institute College of Art Maryland 117 3
— CUNY Queens College New York 77 3
— California State University-Dominguez Hills California 45 0
— California State University--San Bernardino California 39 0
— Fashion Institute of Technology New York 31 3
— Winthrop University South Carolina 30 0
— Otis College of Art and Design California 22 5
— Arizona State University Digital Immersion Arizona 22 1
— Vincennes University Indiana 11 0
— Lesley University Massachusetts 11 0
— Minneapolis College of Art and Design Minnesota 11 3
— Saint Edward's University Texas 8 0
— Washburn University Kansas 6 0
— College for Creative Studies Michigan 6 4
— Hiram College Ohio 6 0
— University of Wisconsin-Stout Wisconsin 6 0
— School of the Art Institute of Chicago Illinois 5 5
— Marymount Manhattan College New York 4 0
— Lakeland Community College Ohio 4 0
— McMurry University Texas 4 0
— Delaware State University Delaware 3 0
— Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Pennsylvania 3 0
— Asbury University Kentucky 2 0
— Hampshire College Massachusetts 2 1
— Otterbein University Ohio 2 0
— Ursuline College Ohio 2 0
— Pennsylvania State University-World Campus Pennsylvania 2 0
— Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion Indiana 1 0
— Siena Heights University Michigan 1 0

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

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