Best Design and Applied Arts Schools in Oregon

Oregon has 7 colleges offering Design and Applied Arts programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 285 recent graduates. Graduates earn $35,993 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $34,895.

School choice matters significantly: University of Oregon graduates earn $38,559 while Western Oregon University graduates earn $26,715 — a $11,844 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

7
Schools in OR
$35,993
OR Avg. Earnings
$34,895
National Avg.
371
Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Design and Applied Arts in Oregon

Public Schools (5)
$37,693
avg. 2yr earnings
Private Schools (2)
$27,494
avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in Oregon 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 Oregon, Ranked by Earnings

#1
University of Oregon logo

University of Oregon

Eugene, OR · Public

$38,559
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $36,661
Graduates: 34
Acceptance: 85.1%
#2
Oregon State University logo

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR · Public

$39,585
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $36,545
Graduates: 54
Acceptance: 78.8%
#3
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus logo

Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Bend, OR · Public

$39,585
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $36,545
Graduates: 54
Acceptance: 68.4%
#4
Portland State University logo

Portland State University

Portland, OR · Public

$44,021
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $36,317
Graduates: 106
Acceptance: 90.9%
#5
Willamette University logo

Willamette University

Salem, OR · Private

N/A
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 79.1%
#6
Pacific Northwest College of Art logo

Pacific Northwest College of Art

Portland, OR · Private

$27,494
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $20,535
Graduates: 37
Acceptance: 68.5%
#7
Western Oregon University logo

Western Oregon University

Monmouth, OR · Public

$26,715
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 98.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Design and Applied Arts in Oregon?
University of Oregon ranks #1 for Design and Applied Arts in Oregon with median graduate earnings of $38,559 within two years of graduation. There are 7 schools offering Design and Applied Arts programs in the state.
How much do Design and Applied Arts graduates earn in Oregon?
Design and Applied Arts graduates in Oregon earn an average of $35,993 within two years of graduation. This is 3% above the national average of $34,895 for this major.
What is the hardest Design and Applied Arts school to get into in Oregon?
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus is the most selective Design and Applied Arts program in Oregon with an acceptance rate of 68.4%. The average acceptance rate across Design and Applied Arts programs in the state is 81.4%.
Should I attend a public or private school for Design and Applied Arts in Oregon?
In Oregon, private Design and Applied Arts programs produce average earnings of $27,494 vs $37,693 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 5 public and 2 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Oregon

All colleges in Oregon →

Design and Applied Arts in Other States

Get Design and Applied Arts Career Insights

We're building major-specific salary reports with ROI analysis by school. Be the first to get yours.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

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.