Best Design and Applied Arts Schools in Minnesota

Minnesota has 11 colleges offering Design and Applied Arts programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 304 recent graduates. Graduates earn $34,123 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $34,895.

School choice matters significantly: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduates earn $43,984 while Concordia University-Saint Paul graduates earn $23,351 — a $20,633 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in MN

$34,123

MN Avg. Earnings

$34,895

National Avg.

371

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Design and Applied Arts in Minnesota

Public Schools (5)

$36,735

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (5)

$31,510

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in Minnesota 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 Minnesota, Ranked by Earnings

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN · Public

$43,984

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,607

Graduates: 130

Acceptance: 77.0%

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, MN · Public

$34,704

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $46,783

Graduates: 20

Acceptance: 70.7%

University of Minnesota-Duluth

Duluth, MN · Public

$31,314

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,425

Graduates: 33

Acceptance: 81.8%

Minnesota State University Moorhead

Moorhead, MN · Public

$36,938

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $36,852

Graduates: 41

Acceptance: 52.6%

Rasmussen University-Minnesota

St. Cloud, MN ·

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: N/A

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 95.0%

University of Northwestern-St Paul

Saint Paul, MN · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 91.9%

Dunwoody College of Technology

Minneapolis, MN · Private

$43,798

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 98.5%

Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Minneapolis, MN · Private

$25,967

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,412

Graduates: 80

Acceptance: 48.4%

#10

Herzing University-Minneapolis

St. Louis Park, MN · Private

Concordia University-Saint Paul

Saint Paul, MN · Private

$23,351

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 74.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities ranks #1 for Design and Applied Arts in Minnesota with median graduate earnings of $43,984 within two years of graduation. There are 11 schools offering Design and Applied Arts programs in the state.

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

Design and Applied Arts graduates in Minnesota earn an average of $34,123 within two years of graduation. This is 2% below the national average of $34,895 for this major.

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

Minneapolis College of Art and Design is the most selective Design and Applied Arts program in Minnesota with an acceptance rate of 48.4%. The average acceptance rate across Design and Applied Arts programs in the state is 78.4%.

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

In Minnesota, private Design and Applied Arts programs produce average earnings of $31,510 vs $36,735 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 5 public and 5 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Minnesota

Computer Engineering $69,422 Industrial Engineering $67,846 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $67,815 Computer Systems Analysis $67,481 Construction Management $66,548 Manufacturing Engineering $66,524 Chemical Engineering $66,094 Computer Science $65,784

All colleges in Minnesota →

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.