| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Nebraska – Lincoln | Lincoln |
| 2 | University of Nebraska - Kearney | Kearney |
| 3 | Creighton University | Omaha |
Our 2022 ranking of the top graphic design school programs in Nebraska. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts at University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL) is home to the School of Art, Art History & Design—the only National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD) accredited institution in the state to offer a BFA or BA in Graphic Design. Program features include opportunities to collaborate on projects with faculty members, design research jobs, and access to nearly 5,000 square feet of facilities including state-of-the-art classrooms, large open labs, graduate studios, and student exhibition and critique spaces.
Students in both pathways may also participate in design research projects. In the past two years, students have participated in projects in Puerto Rico and they have designed public exhibitions from UNL’s Innovation Campus to California.
Other program highlights include mandatory AIGA membership, coursework that focuses on real-world projects the option to apply 6-9 credit hours of internship toward major requirements. Students have interned with Swanson Russell, the University of Nebraska Athletics Department, Hudl, and Nelnet, among others. UNL Graphic Design students are often recruited to participate in the student-run advertising in agency Jacht Ad Lab, housed in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
In the BA Program, more than fifty percent of coursework in in the major. In the intensive BFA, the major accounts for seventy percent of the coursework. Both programs require 120 credit hours to graduate. Course examples across programs include Critical and Creative Thinking, Publication Design, Interaction Design I, Interaction Design II: Interactive Storytelling, Digital Book Design, Graphic Design I-III, Design & Integrated Brand Promotion, Typography I-II, and Problems in Graphic Design.
Graduates of the UNL Graphic Design Program are prepared to seek positions in areas from advertising to web design. Some graduates continue their education by enrolling in UNL’s 60 credit hour MFA Program. Emphasis areas include Graphic Design, Printmaking, Drawing, and Photography, to name a few.
MFA Program alumni are Senior Graphic Designers, Creative Directors, Illustrators, Exhibit Designers, Arts Administrators, Design Directors, and Art Professors, among others.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Chartered in 1869, UNL is the state's oldest university. The school serves more than 25,000 students, which also makes UNL the largest institution in the University of Nebraska System. One of the first universities west of the Mississippi River to award doctoral degrees, University of Nebraska-Lincoln is Classified within the Carnegie “R1: Doctoral Universities – Highest Research Activity” category.
UNL offers more than 150 majors, 70+ doctoral degree programs, over 70 master's degree programs, and more than 30 graduate certificates. Programs at UNL are housed in nine colleges.
The College of Arts and Sciences at University of Nebraska Kearney (UNK) houses 16 departments and three programs. The Department of Art and Design has a Visual Communication and Design (VCD) Program with BFA and Minor options. Consisting of 21 credit hours, the VCD Minor is ideal for students in other majors who are interested in a foundation in Visual Communication Design or as an introduction to the BFA Program. Course examples for the program include Graphic Imaging, Design, Drawing, Graphic Applications, Typography, and Cultural Studies Through Art.
The BFA with a VCD Specialization requires 120 credit hours of study. Course highlights include 3D Design, Computer Animation & 3D Modeling, Creative Photography, Design Illustration, Graphic Media, Individual Problems in Art, Printmaking I-Intaglio and Relief, Special Topics, Typography I-III, Water Based Media, and Web Design & Motion Graphics.
The UNK VCD BFA requires 120 credit hours with 15 unrestricted electives, which provides opportunities to enhance the degree. Course examples for the program include Typography I-II, Web Design & Motion Graphics, Design I-IV, Graphic Applications, Typography I-III, Computer Animation & 3D Modeling Design Illustration I-II, and Graphic Media. Upper level VCD BFA students will complete the Design Practicum, a Professional Portfolio, and the VCD Senior Project Review. An optional internship is also part of the program.
Graduates of the VCD Program at University of Nebraska at Kearney are prepared for positions in areas from advertising and entertainment to public relations and web design.
University of Nebraska at Kearney is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Founded in 1903 as a Normal School, the school serves 6,275 students enrolled in 121 undergraduate majors, 21 pre-professional programs, 54 graduate programs, and 11 certificates. Programs at UNK are housed in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education, and Business & Technology, and UNK Online.
The College of Arts and Sciences at Creighton University has two program options for Graphic Designers including a Graphic Design & Film BA and Minor in Graphic Design. The Graphic Design & Film BA prepares students for career in Graphic Design, 3D Design, Motion Graphics, Illustration, Photojournalism, and Documentary Filmmaking.
Heider College of Business at Creighton university has an additional option for students interested in a hybrid degree—the Business Intelligence & Analytics (BIA) Program. A Digital Media and Design Track is available within the program and it requires 21 credit hours in the focus area. Course examples include Graphic Design I-II, Digital Foundations, Interaction Design, Python Programming for Data Analytics, and Systems Analysis and Design. Graduates of the Creighton BIA Program are prepared for careers in Graphic Design and all areas of Information Management.
Creighton University graduates enjoy a 99% employment or graduate school rate within six months of graduating, with 69% employed in their respective fields.
Creighton University (Creighton) is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The school opened in 1878 with five Jesuits, two teachers, and 120 students. Today, Creighton serves more than 8,000 students and it is one of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. Creighton University offers more than 140 academic programs in nine colleges and schools.
