
Graphic design schools are very easy to find these days, but finding the top graphic design schools might take a little research. Fortunately, students, alumni, bloggers, and many others spend a significant amount of time evaluating schools and programs in order to create useful lists containing information about the nations top schools. An interesting thing about these lists is, many of the nations top schools are also on the list of the nation’s best schools. The thing that separates the lists, however, is how each group or organization arrives at the results.
Organizations such as Forbes, Princeton Review, and U.S. News & World Report evaluate factors such as number of program offerings, graduation and retention rates, peer assessment, faculty resources, financial resources, and student selectivity to determine which schools belong on the “best” list. Students and alumni typically use a different set of factors to reach a decision. Convenience, cost, variety of clubs and organizations, and access to cultural and recreational opportunities might be at the top of the priority list, rather than student selectivity or graduation and retention rates.
In addition to being at the top of the list, many of the nations top colleges offer outstanding graphic design programs. Even better is, an impressive number of these schools are located in The Garden State. Continue reading to find out which New Jersey graphic design schools are tops, and what they have to offer. Please note that the schools listed below are in order from largest to smallest student population.
Top Graphic Design School Programs New Jersey Major Cities
Jersey City
New Jersey City University
Student Population: 6,639
Backdrop: Urban, 51-acre campus, easy access to New York
Degrees Offered: B. A., B. F. A. Digital Design and Illustration, Graphic Design, Illustration, B. A. Media Arts; M. A., M. F. A. Computer Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration
Camden
Rutgers
Student Population: 3,694
Backdrop: Urban, 25-acre campus, easy access to Philadelphia
Degrees Offered: B. A. and B. F. A. Design with Concentration in Print Design, Interactive Design or Animation and Visual Effects; M. F. A. Art with Concentration in Design or Electronic Media
Top Graphic Design School Programs New Jersey Other Cities and Towns
Montclair
Montclair State University
Student Population: 14,590
Backdrop: Small city, 275-acre campus, easy access to New York City
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Animation and Illustration, Graphic Design; M. F. A. Studio Art
Union
Kean University
Student Population: 13,462
Backdrop: Suburban, 186-acre campus, easy access to New York City
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design, Studio Art with Concentration in Computer/Video Art, Illustration
Glassboro
Rowan University
Student Population: 10,014
Backdrop: Suburban, 800-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Studio Art with Specialization in Graphic Design
Ewing
The College of New Jersey
Student Population: 6,504
Backdrop: Suburban, 289-acre campus
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Digital Arts, Graphic Design; B. A. Interactive Multimedia
Wayne
William Patterson University
Student Population: 2,500+
Backdrop: Small town, 370-acre campus, easy access to New York City
Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Concentration in Computer Art and Animation, Graphic Design
Bloomfield
Bloomfield College
Student Population: 2,168
Backdrop: Suburban, 13-acre campus, easy access to New York City
Degrees Offered: B. A. Creative Arts and Technology (CAT) with Concentration in Animation, Digital Video, Game Development, Graphics for Print and Digital Media or Interactive Multimedia and the World Wide Web
More Programs to Consider:
- San Francisco & Online
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#14) - 2021
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#37) - 2021
- Top 50 Nationally for Illustration (#24) - 2021
- Top 50 Nationally for Graphic Design (#38) - 2021
- Winter Park, FL & Online
- Computer Animation - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Game Programs - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Graphic Design & Digital Arts - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Film & Digital Cinematography - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Mobile Development - Bachelor's - Online
- Simulation & Visualization - Bachelor's - Campus
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#11) - 2021
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#10) - 2021
- Top 25 in the South for Graphic Design (#10) - 2021
- Online
Sources
Peterson’s, www.petersons.com
Princeton Review, www.princetonreview.com
U.S. News & World Report College Rankings, www.usnews.com/rankings