Best Design and Applied Arts Schools in Illinois

Illinois has 15 colleges offering Design and Applied Arts programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 831 recent graduates. Graduates in Illinois earn $32,368 on average within two years — 7% below the national average of $34,895. Lower cost of living or industry mix may explain the gap.

Schools in IL

$32,368

IL Avg. Earnings

$34,895

National Avg.

371

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Design and Applied Arts in Illinois

Public Schools (4)

$34,104

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (10)

$33,016

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in Illinois produce comparable or higher early earnings for Design and Applied Arts graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Design and Applied Arts Schools in Illinois, Ranked by Earnings

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

$41,565

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $44,353

Graduates: 70

Acceptance: 43.7%

Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,489

Graduates: 19

Acceptance: 89.0%

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Carbondale, IL · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,426

Graduates: 17

Acceptance: 90.4%

Bradley University

Peoria, IL · Private

$38,289

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,786

Graduates: 28

Acceptance: 76.7%

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$29,685

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 81.4%

University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL · Public

$26,643

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,866

Graduates: 96

Acceptance: 78.5%

North Central College

Naperville, IL · Private

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,366

Graduates: 25

Acceptance: 58.3%

DePaul University

Chicago, IL · Private

$41,193

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,912

Graduates: 43

Acceptance: 73.5%

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$29,737

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,065

Graduates: 429

Acceptance: 91.2%

#10

Dominican University

River Forest, IL · Private

$31,133

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,196

Graduates: 29

Acceptance: 79.8%

#11

Lewis University

Romeoville, IL · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 72.7%

#12

American Academy of Art College

Chicago, IL ·

$23,719

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $22,434

Graduates: 50

Acceptance: N/A

#13

Trinity International University-Illinois

Deerfield, IL · Private

Augustana College

Rock Island, IL · Private

Roosevelt University

Chicago, IL · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,626

Graduates: 25

Acceptance: 94.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ranks #1 for Design and Applied Arts in Illinois with median graduate earnings of $41,565 within two years of graduation. There are 15 schools offering Design and Applied Arts programs in the state.

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

Design and Applied Arts graduates in Illinois earn an average of $32,368 within two years of graduation. This is 7% below the national average of $34,895 for this major.

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

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the most selective Design and Applied Arts program in Illinois with an acceptance rate of 43.7%. The average acceptance rate across Design and Applied Arts programs in the state is 77.9%.

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

In Illinois, private Design and Applied Arts programs produce average earnings of $33,016 vs $34,104 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 4 public and 10 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Illinois

Chemical Engineering $69,173 Computer Science $66,656 Computer Engineering $65,978 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $64,764 Civil Engineering $61,502 Construction Management $60,021 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering $58,932 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other $57,318

All colleges in Illinois →

Design and Applied Arts in Other States

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.