| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brigham Young University | Provo |
| 2 | University of Utah | Salt Lake City |
| 3 | Utah State University | Logan |
| 4 | Southern Utah University | Cedar City |
| 5 | Weber State University | Ogden |
Our 2022 ranking of the top graphic design school programs in Utah. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
The College of Fine Arts and Communications at Brigham Young University (BYU) houses the Department of Design, which offers a BFA in Graphic Design. An Online Graphic Design Fundamentals Certificate is available through BYU-Idaho and BYU-Pathway Worldwide.
The BFA is a limited enrollment program of 40 students. Students must complete 120 credit hours to graduate, including 72.5-73.5 in the major. Course examples include Branding, 3-Dimensional Design, Interaction Design, Design Lab, Typography, Design Thinking, Motion, Bookbinding, Letterpress Studio, and Illustration Fundamentals. Graphic Design BFA students are encouraged to complete a professional internship after their Junior year in the program.
The BYU Graphic Design Fundamentals Certificate is a 15 credit hour program that explores conceptual design, typography, and visual design. Building into the BAS in Professional Studies degree, the Certificate Program consists of 15 credit hours. Courses include Introduction to Graphic Design, Graphic Design, Creating Online Media, Typography, and User Experience Design. Potential careers for graduates of the BYU Graphic Design Fundamentals Certificate Program include Junior Graphic Designer, Marketing Production Artist, Design Assistant, and Junior Production Artist.
Graduates of the Brigham Young University Graphic Design BFA Program work in design-related disciplines such as experience and service design, branding and product design, publishing and interaction design, and web design and mobile app development, motion graphics, and data visualization. They work at advertising agencies, traditional design studios, and interactive agencies or on internal teams at a variety of businesses, corporations, and organizations. Some graduates go on to establish successful freelance careers or launch their own design studios.
Brigham Young University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The school was founded in 1875 as Brigham Young Academy (BYA) by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Brigham Young. With nearly 35,000 students enrolled in close to 400 degree programs and minors, BYU is the one of the largest private universities in the U.S.
The College of Fine Arts at University of Utah (U of U or The U) houses the Department of Art & Art History, home to the new BFA in Graphic Design. Formerly the BFA in Studio Art–Graphic Design Emphasis, the program consists of 122 credit hours, with a minimum of 79 in the major. Students may declare the Graphic Design major in the first year of study. To advance the second year, students must successfully complete all first year coursework and submit a portfolio. A second year review is required to advance to the third year of the program.
Course examples for the U of U Graphic Design BFA include six Studio Foundations courses that explore areas such as action, mapping, and touch, Typography 1-2, Communication Design 1-5, Design Strategy, History of Graphic Design, Visual Rhetoric, Digital Drawing, Writing for New Media, and Digital Imaging for Visual Artists. Upper division courses include Design Theory And Practice, Visiting Designer Studio: Design Co-op, Professional Practices Seminar, Graphic Design Capstone 1: Research And Inquiry, and Graphic Design Capstone 2: Development And Presentation.
The Visiting Designer Studio course is a requirement for all BFA Graphic Design majors. The course consists of workshops led by guest lecturers and studio driven projects. In the Professional Practices Seminar, students will complete a portfolio and professional resume. The Capstone courses are required to complete the Final BFA Project. Graduates are prepared to pursue positions in all areas of Graphic Design.
University of Utah is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Founded in 1850, The U is Utah’s public flagship institution. This top-tier research institution serves around 34,425 students enrolled in more than 200 programs in 17 colleges and schools.
Utah State University (USU) houses Caine College of the Arts (CCA), home to the Department of Art + Design, which has Graphic Design options at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Across programs, students benefit from the internship and co-op opportunities, the weekly Hashimoto Communication Arts Seminar, which features local and regional professional designers, and annual study trips in places such as Scotland, Korea, Switzerland, and Germany.
The BFA with a Graphic Design Emphasis requires acceptance as an Art + Design BS major. Students may apply to the BFA in Graphic Design Emphasis in October and February and application is by portfolio review. Course examples for the program include Graphic Interface Design, Type, Image and Visual Continuity, Brand Identity Design, Typography, Illustration Concepts, and Motion Design. A Senior Capstone is also part of the program. BFA graduates will leave the program with a professional portfolio of their best work.
The USU Art MFA with a Specialization in Graphic Design is a three-year, 60 credit hour program that explores print and publication design, digital imaging, layout, trademarks, symbols, motion graphics, interactive design, animation, and motion graphics at the graduate level. The USU MFA Program culminates with a Thesis Exhibition and Professional Portfolio.
Utah State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Founded March 8, 1888 as the Agricultural College of Utah, USU is the state’s only land grant institution. Utah State University has more than 25 statewide locations that serve nearly 27,500 students enrolled in more than around 400 undergraduate, graduate, and minor programs in eight academic colleges.
The College of Performing and Visual Arts (CPVA) at Southern Utah University (SUU) houses the Department of Art and Design. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the Department has a Graphic Design Program with BFA (traditional or accelerated) and Minor options. The 19.5 credit hour Minor consists of Art Insights, 2D Design, Graphic Design I, Typography I, History of Graphic Design, Digital Tools, and Web Design I.
The 120 credit hour BFA is a professional degree that explores print and interactive design, branding, packaging, publishing and web and interactivity. The curriculum is project-based, with a focus on real-world design issues and solutions. Other program features include a required internship, Junior/Senior Design Studio, the Senior Seminar, Senior BFA Studio I: Professional Practices and Portfolio Systems, and Senior BFA Studio II: BFA Exhibition and Portfolio Completion. The traditional BFA takes four years to complete and the accelerated option can be completed in just three years.
Graduates of the Southern Utah State University Graphic Design Program are prepared for positions in Graphic Design or to pursue graduate study.
Southern Utah University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Founded in 1897, SUU serves more than 13,000 students (Fall 2021)—a new record for the University. Southern Utah University offers more than 140 majors, minors, certificates, and graduate degrees in seven colleges and schools.
Weber State University (Webster State) houses the Telitha E. Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities, home to the Department of Visual Art & Design. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the Department has a Graphic Design BFA Program that requires a Minor in Design for Digital Media. The Minor has two tracks: Gaming and Web Design.
Students must choose one track. Course examples across tracks include Graphic Design Practice, Typography and Publication Design, Advanced Digital media, Advanced illustration, and Interaction Design. The Minor and Track require a total of 24 credit hours.
The Weber State Graphic Design BFA requires 120 credit hours, including 45 credit hours in studio-focused courses. Examples include Advanced Graphic Design, Experimental Typography, Graphic Design Practice, Design History and Theory, Web Graphic Design, and Design Seminar. Through elective courses (20 credit hours are required) students create their own focus in areas such as printmaking, motion design, interaction design or design production. Electives also allow students to participate in the Cooperative Work Experience, which provides on-the-job-learning experiences for academic credit.
Other program features include access to Weber State University’s state-of-the-art KVAC Medial Lab, the annual portfolio review event, and the AIGA portfolio review event in Salt Lake City. Many students walk away from the AIGA event with employment or internship offers.
Graduates of the Weber State University Graphic Design BFA Program can pursue graduate study or careers in Advertising, Exhibition Design, Web/Interactive Media, Packaging, Brand Management, and Publishing, 3D Modeling and Animation, User Experience Design, and Logo Design, among others.
Weber State University is regionally accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Founded in 1889, Weber State serves 29,774 students enrolled in more than 100 undergraduate majors and areas of emphasis leading to associate’s or bachelor’s degrees. Programs at Weber State University are housed in seven colleges and schools.
