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Home   >   Design   >   Master's in Graphic Design

Master’s in Graphic Design Programs

Justin Paulsen – Last updated: September 13, 2024

WRITER

Justin Paulsen started his own content development company in 2009, researching and writing for clients in the evenings while working full-time management jobs during the day.

On This Page
  • Graphic Design Basics
  • 2024 Rankings
  • Graphic Design Online
  • Graphic Design Programs
  • Degree Costs
  • Career Outlook
  • Graphic Design in Tech
  • Recap
  • FAQs
  • School Listings
  • Resources

The creative industries are dynamic and competitive, constantly evolving in technological trends and consumer preferences.

As a professional graphic designer, the key to success is differentiating your portfolio and refining your skills to capture the best opportunities whenever they arise.

One of the simplest ways to level up your skills and perfect your portfolio is to pursue a master’s in fine arts (MFA), which offers a variety of specializations perfectly suited to the modern digital designer.

The Best Master’s in Graphic Design Programs for 2024

  1. Northwestern University

    Evanston, Illinois
    Program: M.S. in Engineering Design Innovation (EDI)
    Tuition: $45,636
    Cost per credit: $3,803
    Credits: 12
    Delivery Method: Online
    Learn more: Program details
  2. University of Maryland, Baltimore County

    Baltimore, Maryland
    Program: Master of Science [Human-Centered Computing]
    Tuition: $36,030
    Cost per credit: $699 in-state | $1,201 out of state
    Credits: 30
    Delivery Method: Campus
    GMAT/GRE required: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  3. Carnegie Mellon University

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    Program: Master of Design (MDes)
    Tuition: $137,376
    Cost per credit: $954
    Credits: 144
    Delivery Method: Campus
    GMAT/GRE required: Required
    Learn more: Program details
  4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Cambridge, Massachusetts
    Program: Media Arts and Sciences (MAS)
    Tuition: $119,500
    Cost per credit: $1,811
    Credits: 66
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details
  5. Stanford University

    Stanford, California
    Program: MS in Symbolic Systems
    Tuition: $56,475
    Cost per credit: $1,255
    Credits: 45
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details
  6. University of Michigan

    Ann Arbor, Michigan
    Program: Masters of Science in Information [HCI]
    Tuition: $104,248
    Cost per credit: $1,079 in-state | $2,172 out of state
    Credits: 48
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details
  7. University of California-Berkeley

    Berkeley, California
    Program: Master of Design (MDes)
    Tuition: $11,700
    Cost per credit: $308
    Credits: 38
    Delivery Method: Campus
    GMAT/GRE required: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  8. Florida Institute of Technology

    Melbourne, Florida
    Program: MS in Human-Centered Design
    Tuition: $36,000
    Cost per credit: $1,200
    Credits: 30
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details
  9. Northeastern University

    Boston, Massachusetts
    Program: M.S. in Experience Design
    Tuition: $57,728
    Cost per credit: $1,804
    Credits: 32
    Delivery Method: Campus
    Learn more: Program details
  10. Touro University

    New York, New York
    Program: M.A. in Web and Multimedia Design (WMM)
    Tuition: $28,050
    Cost per credit: $850
    Credits: 33
    Delivery Method: Campus & online
    Learn more: Program details

Master’s in Graphic Design Basics

Many graphic designers would question if a graduate degree in fine arts is the right call for such a technology-driven career. Do university art programs offer any real practical value for industry professionals? What exactly is an MFA anyway?

Fortunately, the field of fine arts is keeping pace with the modern world by integrating the digital production of artistic assets into explicit concentrations within the broader arts curriculum.

As these fields grow in commercial importance and career prospects, university art programs commonly adopt modern specializations such as graphic design, film/animation/video (FAV), illustration and animation, and digital media design.

As a graphic designer, the first question to ask is one of specialization. As a functional expert, higher levels of education typically go hand-in-hand with zooming in on one or two particular skills. Start with simple questions:

  • What aspect of graphic design do I genuinely enjoy?
  • Which skills will differentiate me from my peers?
  • What gaps in my knowledge could I fill for self-improvement?
  • Do I aspire to lead other creatives and even act as a professional mentor?

One of the more common pieces of advice a designer will hear, both from professors and professionals is to dabble in a few different industries and functions before deciding on the perfect graduate-level concentration of study.

It’s always good to dip your toes in a few other tasks before deciding when and where you should start building your career. This means a small working gap between an undergraduate and graduate program. This process will also help produce a more diversified and robust portfolio.

As an artist, a strong portfolio is your ticket to excellent graduate schools (not to mention great new gigs!).

Once a designer constructs a personal vision for their career ambitions and artistic capabilities, the question of whether or not an MFA should answer itself.

Focus on whether or not you need highly specialized skills to succeed and to what degree you see yourself as a creative leader in the near or distant future.

Master’s in Graphic Design Online?

Most prospective graduate students are busy people, balancing careers with the seemingly endless demands of everyday life. Do you have the time for a graduate degree? Do you have the freedom to move to wherever your preferred program is offered?

One of the upsides to graphic design programs, in particular, is that they are predicated on producing digital work and lend themselves more easily to an online learning environment than traditional art majors.

An MFA in sculpting or painting would make an online approach impossible, whereas digital media design naturally lends itself to the long-distance transmission of drafts and final products. This allows professors to collaborate with students over a long distance and deliver lectures from anywhere.

While not all top institutions offer an online approach, such as RISD and Yale, there are still plenty of high-quality options available for the distance learner. A few notable examples are:

  • Harvard University Extension
  • University of Florida
  • School of Art Institute of Chicago
  • Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
  • Vermont College of Fine Arts

As a final note for the intrepid explorers of online artistic education, the key terminology for an online art program will likely include low residency or  Low-Res MFA.

As is typical for the academic world, a little jargon goes a long way in finding what you’re looking for. This leads to what an online (or onsite) graduate graphic design program will look like.

Master’s in Graphic Design Programs

While every program has its guiding philosophy and distinctive flavor, a few standard expectations can be set for any aspiring master of graphic design. First and foremost, the expectation will nearly always be the ability to produce a visual demonstration of conceptual mastery.

A common phrase in the writing world is ‘show, don’t tell,’ which holds just as true for proving one’s mastery of the visual world. Every student in a graduate program should expect artistic submissions as the primary vehicle that professors will use to grade performance. On the upside, this means very few pop quizzes, essays, and multiple-choice exams!

A second common expectation will be the ability to step into the uncomfortable shoes of the strategic critic. As art assets are often business investments, anyone who purports to hold an MFA must be able to assess the quality of visual products at an advanced level.

This is more than delivering a thumbs up or thumbs down, but instead describing the space between the strategic intention of the asset and the visuals delivered.

As most commercial artists will attest, many rounds of editing and feedback are fairly typical. Of course, it should go without saying that weathering the storm of such critiques on one’s work is also a necessary skill and key expectation within an MFA program.

A third and final expectation is the ability to educate or mentor less experienced artists and creative professionals. The graduate-level student will need to demonstrate the ability to pass on their mastery, either through research or teaching.

This is highly relevant for academics and business professionals, as the academics will likely move into the role of professor and professionals into a role of creative leadership. 

Any graphic designer who can check these three boxes will likely throw their pointy hat in the air as they are handed (or perhaps emailed) their MFA in Graphic Design, preferably with as little debt at the end of the road as possible.

Degree Costs

An MFA is priced similarly to most graduate programs, where one can expect a 2-year time commitment in pursuit of 40-60 credit hours.

While the cost per credit hour and the precise number of credit hours required will vary, between $500 to $1,000 per credit hour is pretty standard. This leaves a fairly broad range of total 2-year costs, ranging from $25,000 to $75,000 for the entire program. 

The best approach is to pursue an MFA locally for the cost-conscious folks out there. The difference between the cost of a private university and a state university can be as high as 3:1.

To put this in context, the typical state school will run a graduate just over $6,000 per semester, while a private university can clock in at around $18,000 per semester. It’s always worth doing a little research to find the most affordable route and compare that to the investment’s expected return.

Career Outlook

Speaking of graphic design, there are nearly a quarter-million jobs in the U.S. alone (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics). A highly qualified graphic designer can expect to make that money back fairly quickly, with a median salary of $58,000 per annum at the professional level and $67,000 a year at the senior level (as of 2023).

As a graduate degree holder, it’s a fairly safe assumption that compensation will be higher than the median. The upper 25 percent of earners in this field typically make between $70k to 80k a year, with plenty of career growth opportunities for creative lead roles (such as an Art Director).

It’s particularly important to note the strategic importance of a master’s degree, which indicates leadership ability (and all the upward mobility that goes along with it). This opens the doors to horizontal and vertical growth, particularly for artists with a knack for adapting to new technological trends.

Graphic Design in Tech

A graphic designer operates between technology and art, which presents plenty of opportunity for both lateral and vertical growth. On the lateral side, a graphic designer with a knack for animation can quickly expand their portfolio (and salary) by integrating motion within their designs.

Animators are highly sought after in many industries and high-profile companies, from developing AAA games to storyboarding the next blockbuster at Pixar. 

Another lateral play is towards the emergent fields of user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) within web development. It’s no easy task to find an artist with the capacity to weave in some HTML, which enables crafting a visual journey within a website.

Learn more on how to become a UX designer

The role of a graphic designer who emphasizes UX/UI is not to create a single graphic design but instead to integrate a variety of graphics, web pages, copy, and styles within a broader customer pipeline.

A dash of business analytics knowledge wouldn’t go amiss either. As this is a relatively new field, there’s still plenty of room for new artists with some combination of these capabilities.

In addition to these related disciplines, a highly qualified graphic designer can also pursue a path of creative management. A few executive roles are well-suited to the professional artist with graduate-level training, the most common being an Art Director or Creative Director.

While there are subtle differences between these roles, they share a few common qualifications that MFA holders are prepared for in their programs.

A common joke in the industry is that leading creatives are like herding cats. The first and most important skill is gracefully navigating the often divergent and individualistic styles of a diverse creative team while keeping everyone motivated and on message.

Producing and communicating a shared vision, and aligning the skills of the designers who work for you, is a skillset worthy of a six-figure salary. This requires mastery in mentorship, clarity of vision, and the technical capacity to fill any gaps that emerge along the way.

It’s a great long-term objective for any graphic designer, mainly for graduate-level designers with experience in strategic critique.

MFA Recap

This objective of attaining a creative leadership role serves as a rather apropos conclusion. For anyone considering a long-term career in graphic design and the graduate-level degree to prove it, the first step is setting medium to long-term career objectives with an eye for senior-level functional roles or creative leadership positions.

This path will justify the cost of entry, offsetting the financial investment required to pursue a high-quality education with significantly higher salary prospects.

These skills will also empower an artist through developing a discerning eye and the strategic skills necessary to lift the artists around them through leadership, vision, and mentorship. There is great personal satisfaction in attaining this level of expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

How competitive are master’s in graphic design programs?

The top-tier schools are quite competitive indeed, such as Yale and RISD (Rhode Island School of Design), which can have acceptance rates as low as the single digits. However, most MFA programs are far less stringent. The primary concern for any aspiring MFA student is curating their portfolio. Focus on producing as much quality content as possible, and then apply to a broad reputational range of programs to find out where you’ll fit in best.

How much can I make with a master’s in graphic design?

This depends on what you plan to do with it. The median salary range will likely be between $55k and $99k per year. The lower end of the salary is for a typical graphic designer, with the higher end for a creative director and highly competent functional specialist. A strong designer with an MFA can expect a career path with more upward mobility.

What kinds of tech jobs are available for graphic designers?

As a graphic designer, technology is your new best friend. Technology has exponentially increased the distribution and variety of creative assets. A strong graphic designer can meet the requirements for roles in media (gaming, comics, and film), web development (UX/UI), online marketing, and the creation of digital assets of all shapes and sizes. Job titles such as graphic designer, visual designer, character designer, UX/UI designer, animator, art director, and creative director will require overlap between art and technology and will be well-served by an MFA.

Do I need an undergraduate degree in design to get into a graduate graphic design program?

Yes, in most cases, an undergraduate degree and undergraduate portfolio will be required during the application process. Exceptions can be made in rare instances where professionals have extensive industry experience.

Do online master’s in graphic design programs exist?

They do indeed! They are often called low residency MFA programs, where minimal onsite interactions are required for the coursework. Courses are conducted via virtual classrooms, and work is typically submitted in the digital formats requested by the professors.

Master’s in Graphic Design Program listings

  1. Academy of Art University

    San Francisco, California
    Program: Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Degree
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $29,547 in-state | $33,894 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $469 in-state | $538 out-of-state
    Credits: 63
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  2. Arizona State University

    Tempe, Arizona
    Program: MS in Graphic Information Technology
    Delivery method: Online
    Total tuition: $23,940
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $798
    Credits: 30
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  3. ArtCenter College of Design

    Pasadena, California
    Program: MFA in Graphic Design
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $112,200
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,496
    Credits: 75
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  4. Boston University

    Boston, Massachusetts
    Program: MFA Graphic Design
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $66,780
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,113
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Required
    Learn more: Program details
  5. Bowling Green State University

    Bowling Green, Ohio
    Program: MDes Integrative Design
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $28,080 in-state | $48,060 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $468 in-state | $801 out-of-state
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  6. California College of the Arts

    San Francisco, California
    Program: MFA in Graphic Design
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $62,580
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,043
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  7. California Institute of the Arts

    Valencia, California
    Program: Graphic Design (M.F.A.)
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $105,660
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,761
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  8. Carnegie Mellon University

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    Program: Master of Arts in Design
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $90,048
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $938
    Credits: 96
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  9. Colorado State University

    Fort Collins, Colorado
    Program: Master of Fine Arts
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $27,960 in-state | $61,320 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $466 in-state | $1,022 out-of-state
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Required
    Learn more: Program details
  10. DePaul University

    Chicago, Illinois
    Program: MA in Digital Communication and Media Arts
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $49,660
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $955
    Credits: 52
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  11. Eastern Michigan University

    Ypsilanti, Michigan
    Program: Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art (MFA)
    Delivery method: Campus & hybrid
    Total tuition: $59,160 in-state | $102,540 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $986 in-state | $1,709 out-of-state
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Optional
    Learn more: Program details
  12. Ferris State University

    Big Rapids, Michigan
    Program: Master of Arts in Design
    Delivery method: Online & campus
    Total tuition: $39,270 in-state | $60,420 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1309 in-state | $2014 out-of-state
    Credits: 30
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  13. Florida Institute of Technology

    Melbourne, Florida
    Program: MS in Human-Centered Design
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $39,300
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,310
    Credits: 30
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  14. Georgia State University

    Atlanta, Georgia
    Program: Graphic Design, M.F.A.
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $29,376 in-state | $65,808 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $408 in-state | $914 out-of-state
    Credits: 72
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  15. Harvard University

    Cambridge, Massachusetts
    Program: Master in Design Studies
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $118,976
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,859
    Credits: 64
    GRE requirement: Optional
    Learn more: Program details
  16. Indiana University Bloomington

    Bloomington, Indiana
    Program: M.F.A. in Studio Art
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $24,300 in-state | $83,760 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $405 in-state | $1,396 out-of-state
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  17. Iowa State University

    Ames, Iowa
    Program: Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Graphic Design
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $4,980 in-state | $58,200 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $83 in-state | $970 out-of-state
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  18. Kennesaw State University

    Kennesaw, Georgia
    Program: Master of Arts in Art and Design
    Delivery method: Online
    Total tuition: $11,790
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $393
    Credits: 30
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  19. Liberty University

    Lynchburg, Virginia
    Program: MFA in Graphic Design
    Delivery method: Online & campus
    Total tuition: $32,700
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $545
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  20. Lindenwood University

    Saint Charles, Missouri
    Program: Art and Design (MA) with Emphasis in Graphic Design
    Delivery method: Online & campus
    Total tuition: $16,530
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $551
    Credits: 30
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  21. Maryland Institute College of Art

    Baltimore, Maryland
    Program: Graphic Design MA
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $68,400
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $2,280
    Credits: 30
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  22. Marywood University

    Scranton, Pennsylvania
    Program: Graphic Design and Illustration Visual Arts (MFA)
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $52,800
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $880
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  23. Massachusetts College of Art and Design

    Boston, Massachusetts
    Program: MFA 3D Fine Arts
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $49,440
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $824
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  24. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Cambridge, Massachusetts
    Program: Media Arts and Sciences (MAS)
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $166,782
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $2,527
    Credits: 66
    GRE requirement: Required
    Learn more: Program details
  25. Minneapolis College of Art and Design

    Minneapolis, Minnesota
    Program: Master of Arts in Graphic and Web Design
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $89,580
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,493
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  26. New York Institute of Technology

    New York, New York
    Program: Digital Art & Design, M.F.A. – Graphic Design Concentration
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $97,200
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,620
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Required
    Learn more: Program details
  27. North Carolina State University

    Raleigh, North Carolina
    Program: Master of Graphic & Experience Design
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $24,624 in-state | $66,144 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $513 in-state | $1,378 out-of-state
    Credits: 48
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  28. Northeastern University

    Boston, Massachusetts
    Program: M.S. in Experience Design
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $119,340
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,989
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Optional
    Learn more: Program details
  29. Northwestern University

    Evanston, Illinois
    Program: M.S. in Engineering Design Innovation
    Delivery method: Online
    Total tuition: $47,484
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,319
    Credits: 36
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  30. Ohio University

    Athens, Ohio
    Program: Master of Fine Art in Graphic Design
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $52,470 in-state | $97,110 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $583 in-state | $1,079 out-of-state
    Credits: 90
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  31. Oklahoma State University

    Stillwater, Oklahoma
    Program: Master's of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $28,320 in-state | $67,080 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $472 in-state | $1,118 out-of-state
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  32. Otis College of Art and Design

    Los Angeles, California
    Program: MFA in Graphic Design
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $175,800
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $2,930
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  33. Pennsylvania State University

    University Park, Pennsylvania
    Program: M.F.A. in Art
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $50,940 in-state | $89,940 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $849 in-state | $1,499 out-of-state
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  34. Pratt Institute

    Brooklyn, New York
    Program: Interactive Arts, Digital Arts, MFA
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $128,100
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $2,135
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  35. Rhode Island School of Design

    Providence, Rhode Island
    Program: MFA in Graphic Design
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $123,156
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,866
    Credits: 66
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  36. Rochester Institute of Technology

    Rochester, New York
    Program: MFA Graphic Design
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $118,200
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,970
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  37. San José State University

    San José, California
    Program: Master of Design (MDes)
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $19,860 in-state | $45,060 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $331 in-state | $751 out-of-state
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  38. Savannah College of Art and Design

    Savannah, Georgia
    Program: M.F.A. in Graphic Design and Visual Experience
    Delivery method: Online & campus
    Total tuition: $84,240
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $936
    Credits: 90
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  39. School of the Art Institute of Chicago

    Chicago, Illinois
    Program: MFA in Studio - Visual Communication Design
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $115,560
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,926
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  40. Suffolk University

    Boston, Massachusetts
    Program: Master of Arts in Graphic Design (MAGD)
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $53,892
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,497
    Credits: 36
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  41. Temple University

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    Program: MFA in Graphic & Interactive Design
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $79,080 in-state | $105,060 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,318 in-state | $1,751 out-of-state
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  42. Touro University

    New York, New York
    Program: M.A. in Web and Multimedia Design (WMM)
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $34,980
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,060
    Credits: 33
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  43. University of Arkansas

    Fayetteville, Arkansas
    Program: M.DES. in Graphic Design
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $21,420 in-state | $58,260 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $357 in-state | $971 out-of-state
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  44. University of California-Berkeley

    Berkeley, California
    Program: Master of Design (MDes)
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $31,746 in-state | $61,932 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $814 in-state | $1,588 out-of-state
    Credits: 39
    GRE requirement: Optional
    Learn more: Program details
  45. University of Cincinnati

    Cincinnati, Ohio
    Program: Master of Design (MDes)
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $26,460 in-state | $49,920 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $441 in-state | $832 out-of-state
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Required
    Learn more: Program details
  46. University of Florida

    Gainesville, Florida
    Program: MFA in Design and Visual Communications
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $25,500 in-state | $60,240 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $425 in-state | $1,004 out-of-state
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Required
    Learn more: Program details
  47. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    Champaign, Illinois
    Program: Graphic Design, MFA
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $28,096 in-state | $60,736 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $439 in-state | $949 out-of-state
    Credits: 64
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  48. University of Iowa

    Iowa City, Iowa
    Program: MFA in Graphic Design
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $26,880 in-state | $64,740 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $448 in-state | $1,079 out-of-state
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  49. University of Massachusetts

    Dartmouth, Massachusetts
    Program: Graphic Design MFA
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $41,400 in-state | $74,700 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $690 in-state | $1,245 out-of-state
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  50. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

    Minneapolis, Minnesota
    Program: MFA in Design - Graphic Design Track
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $19,980 in-state | $31,200 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $333 in-state | $520 out-of-state
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  51. University of Missouri

    Columbia, Missouri
    Program: MFA in Visual Studies
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $18,000 in-state | $63,000 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $300 in-state | $1,050 out-of-state
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  52. University of Texas at Austin

    Austin, Texas
    Program: M.F.A. in Design
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $84,240 in-state | $121,440 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,404 in-state | $2,024 out-of-state
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  53. University of Washington

    Seattle, Washington
    Program: Design MDes
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $37,600 in-state | $65,600 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $470 in-state | $820 out-of-state
    Credits: 80
    GRE requirement: Optional
    Learn more: Program details
  54. Vermont College of Fine Arts

    Montpelier, Vermont
    Program: MFA in Graphic Design
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $56,940
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $949
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  55. Virginia Commonwealth University

    Richmond, Virginia
    Program: Master of Fine Arts in Design with a concentration in visual communications
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $13,800 in-state | $28,320 out-of-state
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $230 in-state | $472 out-of-state
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details
  56. Yale School of Art

    New Haven, Connecticut
    Program: Graphic Design MFA
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $93,720
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,562
    Credits: 60
    GRE requirement: Required
    Learn more: Program details
  57. Yale University

    New Haven, Connecticut
    Program: MFA in Graphic Design
    Delivery method: Campus
    Total tuition: $99,006
    2024/2025 Cost per credit: $1,138
    Credits: 87
    GRE requirement: Not required
    Learn more: Program details

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Justin Paulsen – Last updated: September 13, 2024

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Justin Paulsen started his own content development company in 2009, researching and writing for clients in the evenings while working full-time management jobs during the day.

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