Best Design and Applied Arts Schools in Ohio

Ohio has 23 colleges offering Design and Applied Arts programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,289 recent graduates. Graduates earn $35,439 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $34,895.

School choice matters significantly: University of Cincinnati-Main Campus graduates earn $45,227 while Herzing University-Akron graduates earn $32,925 — a $12,302 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in OH

$35,439

OH Avg. Earnings

$34,895

National Avg.

371

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Design and Applied Arts in Ohio

Public Schools (9)

$39,455

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (8)

$31,551

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in Ohio 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 Ohio, Ranked by Earnings

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Cincinnati, OH · Public

$45,227

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $50,148

Graduates: 253

Acceptance: 87.7%

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public

$45,794

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $40,279

Graduates: 60

Acceptance: 50.8%

Miami University-Oxford

Oxford, OH · Public

$43,798

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,292

Graduates: 24

Acceptance: 82.1%

University of Dayton

Dayton, OH · Private

$41,937

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,657

Graduates: 17

Acceptance: 61.7%

Franklin University

Columbus, OH ·

$37,748

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,327

Graduates: 16

Acceptance: N/A

Kent State University at Kent

Kent, OH · Public

$38,116

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,399

Graduates: 301

Acceptance: 86.7%

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Bowling Green, OH · Public

$35,385

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,970

Graduates: 92

Acceptance: 80.6%

Cedarville University

Cedarville, OH · Private

$30,409

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,682

Graduates: 31

Acceptance: 62.8%

University of Akron Main Campus

Akron, OH · Public

$38,906

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,183

Graduates: 47

Acceptance: 70.9%

#10

Ohio University-Eastern Campus

Saint Clairsville, OH ·

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,458

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: N/A

#11

Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus

Chillicothe, OH ·

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,458

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: N/A

#12

Ohio University-Southern Campus

Ironton, OH ·

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,458

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: N/A

#13

Ohio University-Lancaster Campus

Lancaster, OH ·

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,458

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: N/A

#14

Ohio University-Main Campus

Athens, OH · Public

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,458

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 84.8%

#15

Ohio University-Zanesville Campus

Zanesville, OH ·

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,458

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: N/A

#16

Columbus College of Art & Design

Columbus, OH · Private

$25,936

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,261

Graduates: 187

Acceptance: 71.7%

#17

Cleveland Institute of Art

Cleveland, OH · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,035

Graduates: 55

Acceptance: 56.3%

#18

Cleveland State University

Cleveland, OH · Public

$34,420

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,582

Graduates: 26

Acceptance: 95.5%

#19

Art Academy of Cincinnati

Cincinnati, OH · Private

$20,140

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $20,866

Graduates: 30

Acceptance: 33.1%

#20

Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Mount Vernon, OH · Private

Shawnee State University

Portsmouth, OH · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $14,445

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: N/A

#22

Mount St. Joseph University

Cincinnati, OH · Private

Herzing University-Akron

Akron, OH · Private

$32,925

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 94.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus ranks #1 for Design and Applied Arts in Ohio with median graduate earnings of $45,227 within two years of graduation. There are 23 schools offering Design and Applied Arts programs in the state.

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

Design and Applied Arts graduates in Ohio earn an average of $35,439 within two years of graduation. This is 2% above the national average of $34,895 for this major.

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

Art Academy of Cincinnati is the most selective Design and Applied Arts program in Ohio with an acceptance rate of 33.1%. The average acceptance rate across Design and Applied Arts programs in the state is 72.5%.

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

In Ohio, private Design and Applied Arts programs produce average earnings of $31,551 vs $39,455 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 9 public and 8 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Ohio

All colleges in Ohio →

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.