Best Design and Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has 22 colleges offering Design and Applied Arts programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,003 recent graduates. Graduates in Pennsylvania earn $38,386 on average within two years — 10% above the national average of $34,895, making the state one of the stronger markets for this field.

School choice matters significantly: Carnegie Mellon University graduates earn $89,859 while East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania graduates earn $29,141 — a $60,718 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in PA

$38,386

PA Avg. Earnings

$34,895

National Avg.

371

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Design and Applied Arts in Pennsylvania

Public Schools (7)

$37,890

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (14)

$38,784

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $894 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Design and Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania, Ranked by Earnings

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA · Private

$89,859

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $85,041

Graduates: 38

Acceptance: 11.4%

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA · Private

$45,477

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,133

Graduates: 258

Acceptance: 77.5%

Temple University

Philadelphia, PA · Public

$42,682

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $43,047

Graduates: 61

Acceptance: 82.9%

Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, PA · Private

$36,344

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 86.1%

Susquehanna University

Selinsgrove, PA · Private

$39,369

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 78.7%

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona

Altoona, PA · Public

$42,682

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $37,726

Graduates: 38

Acceptance: 97.3%

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, PA · Public

$42,682

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $37,726

Graduates: 38

Acceptance: 54.2%

Pennsylvania College of Technology

Williamsport, PA ·

$36,674

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,991

Graduates: 33

Acceptance: N/A

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Kutztown, PA · Public

$39,677

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,919

Graduates: 99

Acceptance: 94.8%

#10

Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus

Indiana, PA · Public

$38,289

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,645

Graduates: 40

Acceptance: 91.2%

#11

York College of Pennsylvania

York, PA · Private

$30,119

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,479

Graduates: 17

Acceptance: 94.2%

#12

Albright College

Reading, PA · Private

$35,701

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,236

Graduates: 40

Acceptance: 86.2%

#13

Mercyhurst University

Erie, PA · Private

$39,009

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,341

Graduates: 19

Acceptance: 83.2%

#14

Robert Morris University

Moon Township, PA · Private

$24,421

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,469

Graduates: 51

Acceptance: 90.6%

#15

Pennsylvania Western University

California, PA · Public

$30,080

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,264

Graduates: 47

Acceptance: 93.7%

#16

Arcadia University

Glenside, PA · Private

Moore College of Art and Design

Philadelphia, PA · Private

$31,314

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,976

Graduates: 97

Acceptance: 60.5%

#18

Pennsylvania College of Art and Design

Lancaster, PA · Private

University of the Arts

Philadelphia, PA · Private

$22,329

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $21,067

Graduates: 101

Acceptance: 78.2%

#20

Marywood University

Scranton, PA · Private

$35,823

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $28,999

Graduates: 26

Acceptance: 83.7%

#21

Cabrini University

Radnor, PA · Private

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg, PA · Public

$29,141

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 92.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Carnegie Mellon University ranks #1 for Design and Applied Arts in Pennsylvania with median graduate earnings of $89,859 within two years of graduation. There are 22 schools offering Design and Applied Arts programs in the state.

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

Design and Applied Arts graduates in Pennsylvania earn an average of $38,386 within two years of graduation. This is 10% above the national average of $34,895 for this major.

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

Carnegie Mellon University is the most selective Design and Applied Arts program in Pennsylvania with an acceptance rate of 11.4%. The average acceptance rate across Design and Applied Arts programs in the state is 77.7%.

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

In Pennsylvania, private Design and Applied Arts programs produce average earnings of $38,784 vs $37,890 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 7 public and 14 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Pennsylvania

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other $75,470 Computer Science $73,789 Industrial Engineering $72,008 Chemical Engineering $71,780 Business/Managerial Economics $71,719 Materials Engineering $71,420 Computer Engineering $71,107 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $71,033

All colleges in Pennsylvania →

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.