Best Design and Applied Arts Schools in Washington

Washington has 10 colleges offering Design and Applied Arts programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 324 recent graduates. Graduates in Washington earn $41,358 on average within two years — 19% above the national average of $34,895, making the state one of the stronger markets for this field.

School choice matters significantly: University of Washington-Seattle Campus graduates earn $57,318 while Northwest College of Art & Design graduates earn $23,579 — a $33,739 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in WA

$41,358

WA Avg. Earnings

$34,895

National Avg.

371

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Design and Applied Arts in Washington

Public Schools (3)

$49,254

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (4)

$37,788

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in Washington 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 Washington, Ranked by Earnings

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, WA · Public

$57,318

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $49,494

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 42.5%

Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA · Public

$46,087

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,818

Graduates: 83

Acceptance: 91.3%

Washington State University

Pullman, WA · Public

$44,356

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $42,683

Graduates: 29

Acceptance: 85.4%

Seattle Pacific University

Seattle, WA · Private

$43,798

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $38,730

Graduates: 31

Acceptance: 91.1%

Bellevue College

Bellevue, WA ·

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,563

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: N/A

Walla Walla University

College Place, WA · Private

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $25,370

Graduates: 19

Acceptance: N/A

Cornish College of the Arts

Seattle, WA · Private

$33,993

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,553

Graduates: 45

Acceptance: 70.5%

Seattle University

Seattle, WA · Private

$39,369

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $20,602

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 76.0%

Lake Washington Institute of Technology

Kirkland, WA ·

$49,729

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,296

Graduates: 20

Acceptance: N/A

#10

Northwest College of Art & Design

Tacoma, WA · For-Profit

$23,579

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $23,385

Graduates: 35

Acceptance: 76.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

University of Washington-Seattle Campus ranks #1 for Design and Applied Arts in Washington with median graduate earnings of $57,318 within two years of graduation. There are 10 schools offering Design and Applied Arts programs in the state.

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

Design and Applied Arts graduates in Washington earn an average of $41,358 within two years of graduation. This is 19% above the national average of $34,895 for this major.

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

University of Washington-Seattle Campus is the most selective Design and Applied Arts program in Washington with an acceptance rate of 42.5%. The average acceptance rate across Design and Applied Arts programs in the state is 76.2%.

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

In Washington, private Design and Applied Arts programs produce average earnings of $37,788 vs $49,254 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 3 public and 4 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Washington

Computer Engineering $108,990 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions $92,872 Computer Programming $76,998 Computer Science $72,683 Materials Engineering $70,680 Construction Management $70,430 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $69,987 Computer and Information Sciences, General $66,995

All colleges in Washington →

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.