If you want to become a product designer then you need to know what the best schools for product design are. This in-depth article includes a list of the best schools for product design and the specific degrees each school offers. Find out the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees available in product design.
In this article, we discuss how you can finance your education and the essential criteria to look at when choosing the best product design college for you. Continue reading to learn about jobs you can get with a product design degree from one of the best product design universities.
Best Product Design College and University Rankings: Top 10 Product Design Schools at a Glance
| School | State | Formats Available | US News Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon University | PA | Online and in-person | #25 |
| Ferris State University | MI | In-person | #299-#391 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | GA | In-person | #38 |
| Iowa State University | IA | In-person | #122 |
| North Carolina State University | NC | In-person | #79 |
| Purdue University | ID | In-person | #49 |
| Rhode Island School of Design | RI | Online and in-person | N/A |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | NY | In-person | #117 |
| University of Minnesota | MN | In-person | #68 |
| University of Oregon | OR | In-person | #99 |
Product Design School Rankings: Best Product Design Colleges and Universities
A product design degree can give you all the necessary skills needed to start a career in product design. Below we discuss the best product design universities and colleges and their degrees offered, from associate degrees all the way to master’s degrees.
This private research university was founded in 1900 and is known for its high-quality college of engineering and school of computer science and artificial intelligence programs. Students can learn product design at its fine arts school through the design department. There are over 14,500 students enrolled in Carnegie Mellon University’s seven schools and colleges.
Carnegie Mellon University Overview
- School Type: Private
- Acceptance Rate: 17%
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, master’s
- US News Ranking: #25
- Times Higher Education Ranking: 21
Best Carnegie Mellon University Product Design Programs
- Online Certificate in Product Design Innovation. This two-course online certificate teaches students about the design process and how to make effective prototypes and test them. Students gain insight into industrial and product design.
- Bachelor of Design in Industrial Design. The bachelor’s product specialization focuses on product design. It is a four-year, 360-unit degree where students select their specialization during their second year of studies.
- Master of Design. The Master of Design at Carnegie Mellon University is a two-year program with 195 credit hours. Students learn about design research methods, product design, systems, and services for interactions, and must complete a thesis.
- Online Master of Integrated Innovation for Products & Services. This degree takes nine months to complete and requires students to finish 102 credit hours. Students gain skills in product design and UX/UI design. Students attend courses in design and product innovation.
Carnegie Mellon University Product Design Key Takeaway
While studying product design at Carnegie Mellon University gives students the necessary design skills to create effective designs, it also explores new design strategies and methods of designing responsible products.
Ferris State University is a public university that provides high-quality engineering programs. It was founded in 1884 and offers 30 online programs and over 180 in-person degrees and certificates. Ferris State University boasts small class sizes that enable students to work closely with faculty and provide better quality instruction.
Ferris State University Overview
- School Type: Public
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, master’s
- US News Ranking: #299-391
- Times Higher Education Ranking: #501-600
Best Ferris State University Product Design Programs
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Product Design. This degree takes four years to complete and teaches students about functional art and the product design process. Students must complete 120 credit hours and can choose between three concentrations.
- Bachelor of Science in Product Design Engineering Technology. In this four-year degree, students learn how to use computer modeling software in the product design process. They also learn to create mechanical designs, analyze a design, and optimize it. This degree is in person and requires 120 credit hours.
- Certificate Program in Product Design. The Certificate Program in Product Design is a short program of eight credit hours for people interested in learning more about product design. Students learn about advanced solid modeling, statistics, and ergonomics.
Ferris State University Product Design Key Takeaway
While studying product design at Ferris State University’s Kendall College of Art and Design, students build a career-focused, high-quality portfolio through internships, projects, and productive feedback.
Founded in 1885, Georgia Institute of Technology researches topics like brain music, interactive product design, and the future of transportation. It currently has 43,844 students and offers degrees like computer science and mechanical engineering programs. In 2021, Georgia Tech awarded 9,222 degrees to graduates.
Georgia Institute of Technology Overview
- School Type: Public
- Acceptance Rate: 21%
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, master’s
- US News Ranking: #38
- Times Higher Education Ranking: 69
Best Georgia Institute of Technology Product Design Programs
- Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design. Georgia Tech’s undergraduate industrial design program takes four years to complete and requires 130 credits for graduation. Students learn about industrial design fundamentals, gain an introduction to linear algebra, and must complete a capstone design project during this in-person degree.
- Master of Industrial Design. This master’s degree consists of 48 credits comprising both courses like human-centered design and introduction to graduate studies in industrial design over two years, and a thesis they must defend.
Georgia Institute of Technology Product Design Key Takeaway
Georgia Tech is ranked the tenth best public university in the US by US News & World Report. Studying industrial design at Georgia Tech guarantees a high-quality education, primarily because it is so highly rated.
Iowa State University is a land-grant university dating back to 1858. There are 30,708 students enrolled in its 100 graduate and undergraduate degrees, some of which include visual arts, accounting, and industrial design. The school prides itself on its College of Engineering, design school, and extension and outreach programs, as well as student organizations and Greek life.
Iowa State University Overview
- School Type: Public
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, master’s
- US News Ranking: #122
- Times Higher Education Ranking: #219
Best Iowa State University Product Design Programs
- Bachelor of Industrial Design. This human-centered discipline teaches students the history of industrial design, drawing, and digital tools for industrial design. This degree prepares students to be product designers, graphic designers, and design researchers.
- Master of Industrial Design. This industrial design master’s degree teaches students design communication and design theory methodology. It is an in-person program where students must submit a thesis and complete 60 credits over two years.
Iowa State University Product Design Key Takeaway
Industrial design students at Iowa State University learn a wide variety of technical skills through hands-on practical experience. The program facilitates many opportunities for real-world experiences and includes internships and a study abroad option in the curriculum.
This research university was founded in 1887 and specializes in big data, biomedical engineering, material science, and food safety research. North Carolina State University students have over 300 undergraduate and graduate degree options to choose from. North Carolina State University has a student body of over 37,000 students.
North Carolina State University Overview
- School Type: Public
- Acceptance Rate: 46%
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, master’s
- US News Ranking: #79
- Times Higher Education Ranking: #117
Best North Carolina State University Product Design Programs
- Bachelor of Industrial Design. This program teaches undergraduate students about digital techniques, experience design for industrial design, and human-centered design. This on-campus degree can be completed in four years and consists of 120 credits.
- Master of Industrial Design. This degree has two tracks, including one for students with a design bachelor’s degree and one for those with a relevant bachelor’s degree. It takes two to three years in 48 to 78 credits, depending on the track you pursue. Courses include product visualizations, materials, and processes of industrial design.
- Certificate in Consumer Textile Product Design and Development. This in-person certificate consists of 15 credits and can be completed in one semester. Students learn about graduate apparel product design, market research in textiles, and digital design and technology.
North Carolina State University Product Design Key Takeaway
The industrial design degree programs include projects with real-world clients. Students get to create solutions for problems and gain experience working in the industrial and product design industry.
Purdue University is a public research university with 49,639 students enrolled and more than 200 undergraduate degrees and over 160 graduate degrees available. Purdue University ranks as the second-best school for industrial and manufacturing degrees in the US according to the US News & World Report.
Purdue University Overview
- School Type: Public
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, master’s
- US News Ranking: #49
- Times Higher Education Ranking: #48
Best Purdue University Product Design Programs
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design. This in-person degree takes four years to finish whereby students earn 126 credits through industrial design, furniture design, and new product development courses.
- Master of Fine Arts in Industrial Design. This master’s degree is in-person and consists of 60 credit hours in two years. Students learn about product design, take graduate courses related to industrial design, and complete an internship
Purdue University Product Design Key Takeaway
Purdue University is a well-known university where students learn from expert faculty members, with two Nobel Prize winners among the faculty. It is also known for its discovery and innovation through high-quality research.
This well-known art school was founded in 1877 and has 2,576 students enrolled in its 22 graduate and undergraduate majors. It has fine arts, graphic design, furniture design, and industrial design degrees. Industrial design students who study at Rhode Island School of Design gain hands-on experience and design skill through studio-based learning.
Rhode Island School of Design Overview
- School Type: Private
- Acceptance Rate: 27%
- Accreditation: National Association of Schools of Art and Design, Commission on Accreditation
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, master’s
- US News Ranking: N/A
- Times Higher Education Ranking: #135
Best Rhode Island School of Design Product Design Programs
- Certificate in Product Development and Manufacturing. This online certificate is for people wanting to continue their product design education. It takes two-and-a-half to three years to complete. Courses include design research methods and digital design techniques.
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial design. This in-person industrial design program takes four years to complete in 126 credits. Industrial design students learn design principles and manufacturing techniques.
- Master of Industrial Design. Students in this master’s degree complete the in-person program in approximately two years, depending on if they’re a bachelor’s degree-holder. This program consists of 66 credit hours, including thesis research.
Rhode Island School of Design Product Design Key Takeaway
Industrial design students at Rhode Island School of Design learn how to design products for all possible fields. Upon completion of these programs, students are able to create household products, medical devices, and new materials.
Rochester Institute of Technology was established in 1829 and provides approximately 211 degree programs to its 19,718 students. There are over 300 student organizations and clubs available at Rochester Institute of Technology and it has ample research facilities studying cyber security, sustainability, and imaging science.
Rochester Institute of Technology Overview
- School Type: Private
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, master’s
- US News Ranking: #117
- Times Higher Education Ranking: #154
Best Rochester Institute of Technology Product Design Programs
- Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Industrial Design. This is an in-person bachelor’s degree that takes four years to complete. Students must complete 120 credit hours to be eligible for graduation. Students complete courses in 3D design, digital drawing in industrial design, and the history of industrial design.
- Master of Fine Arts Degree in Industrial Design. During this two-year master’s degree, students need to complete 60 credit hours and a thesis. Students learn about the function of form, integrated design visualizations, and design research methods in the classroom.
Rochester Institute of Technology Product Design Key Takeaway
While studying at Rochester Institute of Technology, you are part of a highly diverse and inclusive community. There are almost 2,000 international students, 900 deaf and hard of hearing students, and more than 2,700 students from underrepresented groups.
University of Minnesota was founded in 1851 and has over 50,000 students enrolled. This highly reputable university has more than 200 graduate and professional programs and has study abroad opportunities. Students can study accounting, acting, and product design, with plenty of research and internship opportunities available.
University of Minnesota Overview
- School Type: Public
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, master’s
- US News Ranking: #68
- Times Higher Education Ranking: #114
Best University of Minnesota Product Design Programs
- Bachelor of Science in Product Design. This in-person product design program consists of 120 credits and takes four years to complete. Students learn to create products or services through hands-on experience in classrooms and studios. Students also learn creative design and will complete two internships.
- Master of Science in Product Design. This two-year program consisting of 34 to 36 credits teaches students about using product design tools to create functional products and services whilst gaining valuable theoretical knowledge. Students may complete a thesis if desired.
University of Minnesota Product Design Key Takeaway
While pursuing a product design degree at University of Minnesota, students have access to product design events to network, participate in workshops, and connect with possible employers.
University of Oregon is a public university founded in 1859. There are 22,298 students currently enrolled with around 331 degrees and certificates. University of Oregon has one Nobel Prize winner in its faculty and has highly reputed administration, psychology, and advertising majors.
University of Oregon Overview
- School Type: Public
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, master’s
- US News Ranking: #99
- Times Higher Education Ranking: #241
Best University of Oregon Product Design Programs
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Product Design. University of Oregon’s product design program is a four-year degree consisting of 120 credit hours. Students learn about the design process, design tools, and digital arts during this in-person degree.
- Master of Science in Sports Product Design. This on-campus Master of Science in Sports Product Design takes about two years to complete in 73 credit hours. During this in-person degree, students learn about research, sports production design, and strategic communications.
University of Oregon Product Design Key Takeaway
Pursuing a product design degree at University of Oregon gives students access to excellent design facilities including computer and digital imaging labs, a digital computer-controlled mill, and a large-format printing facility.
The Best Schools for Product Design: Types of College Degrees and University Programs Offered
The kind of degree you pursue depends on your career and education goals. Read the in-depth descriptions of all the different product design programs listed below, from a community college certificate to a doctoral degree.
A community college product design certificate is shorter than a typical degree. It teaches students valuable product design skills needed to start their careers and takes between one to two semesters to complete. The curriculum includes courses in 3D printing, product design applications, and 3D modeling and sculpting.
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A product design associate degree prepares product design students for entry-level jobs or transfers to a four-year Bachelor's Degree in Product Design. An associate degree is usually two years in length and consists of between 33 and 66 credit hours.
Students take core courses during an Associate Degree in Product Design to earn the required credits. Courses include an introduction to design thinking, product design and viability, and industrial and product design foundations. Students interested in a product design associate degree can pursue an Associate of Science or an Associate of Art in Product Design.
A product design bachelor’s degree is a four-year undergraduate program with between 120 and 360 required credits for graduation. Many jobs require a bachelor’s degree as the minimum requirement to be considered for employment.
You can pursue a design, fine arts, or science bachelor’s degree for product design. The kind of degree you pursue depends on your career and education goals. Students completing a product design bachelor’s degree will learn about the design process, digital drawing in industrial design, product innovations, and product visualizations.
A product design master’s degree is a graduate degree for students who want to advance their careers and land senior jobs in the product design industry. A master’s degree takes two to three years depending on the program, and may take longer if you need more time to research and write your thesis.
This program consists of 34 to 66 credit hours, depending on where you pursue your master’s degree. Students can complete a Master of Fine Arts, Master of Science, or a Master of Design in Product Design. Courses included in the program are design research methods, designing products, and design communications.
A product design graduate certificate is a short program for graduate students with a bachelor’s degree. It takes between one and two semesters where students need to earn 15 to 21 credits, depending on the program. They learn about digital product design strategies, user-centered research methods, and apparel product design.
A product design doctorate is a research-intensive graduate degree and requires a lot of independent research and writing. Students complete approximately 240 credits and earn their doctorate in four to six years. It may take longer depending on the degree, your dissertation needs, and the school.
Students learn about design research methodology and user-centered design. A Doctoral Degree in Product Design opens up senior-level jobs such as managerial jobs or postsecondary teaching. Product design PhD or doctorate degrees are not common in the United States.
Comparing Popular Degree Options
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Best Product Design Schools: Other Product Design University Rankings
Choosing which product design school to attend can be confusing. Below we break down the best product design schools and the product design university rankings of the best schools. We also look at the best dual and accelerated degree programs.
Best Online Product Design Schools
- Academy of Art University. This university offers product design bachelor’s degrees and Master’s Degrees in Industrial Design. Academy of Art University is ranked as one of the top ten art schools in the US. You can earn your industrial design degree online.
- Carnegie Mellon University. Carnegie Mellon University has two online product design programs. Pursuing an online degree at this university ensures high-quality education, especially as it has 20 Nobel Prize winning faculty members.
- Rhode Island School of Design. This university offers an excellent online product design certificate to help you gain valuable skills in product design while learning online. US News & World Report ranks Rhode Island School of Design as the fifth-best fine arts school in the US.
Best Community Colleges for Product Design
- CUNY LaGuardia Community College. This community college is ranked as the seventh-best community college in New York. It offers many associate degrees such as accounting, industrial design, and engineering degrees.
- Gateway Community College. Students at Gateway Community College can pursue many different associate degrees including landscape design, industrial design technology, and engineering. It ranks as the best community college in Arizona.
- NHTI – Concord’s Community College. This community college offers an industrial design associate degree and is ranked the third-best community college in the Manchester area.
Best Undergraduate Schools for Product Design
- ArtCenter College of Design. At ArtCenter College of Design, students can pursue many different design degrees and learn from a faculty of practicing professionals in the product design industry.
- Georgia Institute of Technology. This school has plenty of internship opportunities for students to gain real-world experience in product design. Students also have access to career services to help them find a job soon after graduation.
- Pratt Institute. Pratt Institute has a high-quality product design program that helps students learn essential skills for the product and industrial design industry. This institution has over 20 study abroad programs available to students.
Best Graduate Schools for Product Design
- North Carolina State University. This university has many degree options, such as agriculture, design, and engineering. Students get a high-quality education at this university and can work closely with professors because of its 15 to one student to faculty ratio.
- Northwestern University. Students at Northwestern University can earn a Master’s Degree in Product Design and Development. Students learn through hands-on activities and projects that facilitate real-world experience in product design.
- Pratt Institute. Students at Pratt Institute pursuing an industrial design master’s degree learn from award-winning faculty members working actively in the industry.
Best Product Design Schools With Dual Degree Programs
- Boston University | MBA+MS in Product Design & Manufacture. This dual degree takes six years to complete and combines a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Product Design and Manufacture. Students learn about product quality and advanced product design.
- Oregon State University | Dual Major in Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering—Product Development Option. Students simultaneously earn a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor of Manufacturing Engineering in Product Development.
- University of Pennsylvania | MBA and Master of Integrated Product Design. This dual degree takes between two to three years and requires students to complete 23 to 24 credit units. Students learn and improve business and product design skills simultaneously.
Best Schools With Accelerated Product Design Programs
- The Savannah College of Art and Design | Accelerated Dual Bachelor of Fine arts in industrial design and Master of fine arts. This accelerated degree consists of 270 credit hours. 180 credits go towards the bachelor’s degree, while 90 credits go towards the master’s degree. Students can complete both degrees in four to five years.
- Arizona State University | Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Design in Industrial Design. Students learn about industrial design and product design principles while earning 120 credits. This accelerated bachelor’s degree takes two-and-a-half to three years to complete.
- Rochester Institute of Technology | 4+2 BFA/M.Arch. Pathway. Students earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design and a Master of Architecture in six years. Students learn design drawing, architectural design, and the history of industrial design.
Easy Colleges to Get Into
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Is Graduate School for Product Design Worth It?
Yes, it is worth going to graduate school for product design. Although there aren’t many PhDs available in the US for product design, you can pursue a Master’s Degree in Product and Industrial Design.
Completing a Master’s Degree in Product or Industrial Design at the best product design schools will help you advance your product design skills and open up many new career opportunities.
After graduating with a master’s degree, students become qualified for senior positions and earn a higher salary. According to an analysis done in 2020 by Statista, the average salary of a master’s degree graduate is $92,272, which is significantly higher than the $73,499 average for a bachelor’s degree graduate.
What Jobs Can You Do With a Product Design Degree?
The jobs you can get with a product design degree are product designer, industrial designer, product manager, and product design professor. Product design jobs are high-paying and require design and communication skills. The higher your degree level, the higher your salary and the more senior-level positions you can get.
Pursuing a product or industrial design degree teaches you vital skills and knowledge with hands-on learning and internships. You will also get a chance to develop advanced artistic techniques. Some product design degree programs include real-world projects for real clients.
How Much Can I Earn With a Degree in Product Design?
You can earn an average salary of $86,477 as a product designer, according to PayScale. Your average salary depends on factors like degree level, location, and job duties. The average annual salary for a Bachelor of Science in Product Design is $67,000, while the salary for a Master of Science in Product Design is $89,000. A degree in product design prepares you to enter a high-paying product design career.
Highest-Paying Product Design Careers
| Profession | Minimum Education | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Product Manager | Bachelor’s Degree | $103,150 |
| Materials Engineer | Bachelor’s Degree | $98,300 |
| Product Designer | Bachelor’s Degree | $86,477 |
| Automotive Designer | Bachelor’s Degree | $81,517 |
| Product Design Professor | PhD or Doctorate | $79,640 |
| User Experience (UX) Designer | Bachelor’s Degree | $77,200 |
| Industrial Designer | Bachelor’s Degree | $77,030 |
| Product Design Engineer | Bachelor’s Degree | $71,688 |
| Graphic Designer | Bachelor’s Degree | $50,710 |
| Computer Aided Design (CAD) Technician | Associate Degree | $48,907 |
Best Jobs With a Product Design Degree
The best jobs with a product design degree focus on the process of designing a functional product. These jobs aim to improve people’s lives by creating human-centered products that address and solve problems. They design products, services, and systems.
Earning a product design degree can get you a high-paying job with a salary between $48,907 and $103,150 per year. Learning product design from the best product design colleges helps you become a product designer, CAD technician, graphic designer, or product design professor. Below we discuss the best product design degree jobs according to degree level.
The best product design associate degree jobs include computer-aided design technicians and quality control inspectors. Getting a product design job with an associate degree provides a good yearly salary.
These jobs require drawing, technical, and product design and development skills taught during an associate degree program. You can learn these essential skills faster in an associate program and graduate in only two years.
Top Product Design Careers With an Associate Degree
The best Bachelor’s Degree in Product Design jobs can get you a yearly salary of up to $103,150 per year if you become a product manager. Other high-paying jobs include product designer and materials engineer.
You need to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Product Design to get one of these jobs, as it teaches critical design skills required to create functional products for people’s everyday needs. You also need to learn teamwork skills because product designers work in a team to complete a project.
Top Product Design Careers With a Bachelor’s Degree
The best product design master’s degree jobs require essential management and design skills. A master’s degree teaches you all the necessary leadership skills and helps you specialize and improve your design and product skills.
Although not all of these jobs require a master’s degree, it will increase your chances of getting hired for a senior-level job or a management position.
Top Product Design Careers With a Master’s Degree
With one of the best product design doctorate jobs, you can earn a highly favorable salary. You can become a professor in product design, senior product designer, or industrial production manager.
Although you do not need a PhD for a job as a senior product designer or an industrial production manager, earning a PhD or Doctorate in Product Design will put you in the 90th percentile as a top earner because of your degree level.
Top Product Design Careers With a PhD
The best internships for product design help students gain valuable skills in a real working environment. Opportunities like the Forbes and Shopify internships in product design are an excellent way of gaining experience. Graduates who have experience from an internship are well prepared for their product design careers.
All internships have different application deadlines, so it is crucial to start doing research early. Many internships are held during the summer, so make sure you start your search before your summer holiday begins.
Top Product Design Internships
- Forbes Product Design Intern: $36,000 to $39,000
- Tulip Interfaces Product Design Intern: $43,794
- Shopify Product Design Intern: $33,000 to $83,000
How Can I Pay for Product Design School?
You can pay for product design school by applying for financial aid at your university. There are many financing options available to undergraduate and graduate students. Financial aid is awarded on a need base and a merit base.
You can apply for federal student aid, loans, fellowships, grants, and work-study programs. If you need financial assistance for your degree, contact your school to learn about its financing options. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 86 percent of undergraduates received financial aid during the 2018 to 2019 academic year.
- Grants. According to Statista, $58 billion in institutional grants were awarded to students in 2021. Grants are typically awarded to students who show financial need. It doesn’t need to be repaid and is awarded by the state or your institution.
- Fellowships and scholarships. These financial aid options are essentially monetary gifts that go towards specific expenses such as tuition. Some scholarships cover all costs, while others cover a portion. Scholarships don’t need to be paid back, and fellowships are only awarded to graduate students.
- Loans. Most universities and colleges have federal loans available, which students can apply for by completing a FAFSA form. Private loans are also usually available through private lenders.
- Assistantships. Assistantships offer financial assistance in the form of a tuition waiver. Students who complete assistantships usually work as teaching or research assistants in a particular department. Assistantships are only available to graduate students.
- Student employment. While studying at a university, some students want to earn money to help pay for their degrees. Many universities have work-study programs where students can get a job on campus and make extra money to pay off their degree.
How to Pay for Your Chosen School Education Path
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Choosing the Best Product Design School for You
To choose the best product design school for you, consider the mode of delivery, tuition costs, and degree levels offered. Continue reading below for a breakdown of critical factors for choosing the best product design universities and why you need to consider them.
Flexibility and Format
The delivery method and flexibility of the program impact your education. Attending a traditional, on-campus product design program provides access to student organizations, Greek life, and in-person classes.
If you want to study while you work or travel, an online product design degree may suit your educational needs. You can start your product design journey and study online at your own pace, to integrate your school schedule into your already busy schedule.
Cost and Financial Aid
The cost of a product design degree is a deciding factor because everyone has different budgets and financial abilities. Look for a product design degree in your price range or apply to a school with good financial aid options available.
Students attending a community college pay less tuition than private university students. According to Statista, the average tuition for a two-year degree at a public school is $13,130, while the tuition of a degree at a four-year private institution is $51,690.
Accreditation
When searching for the best product design universities, you should look for accredited institutions. There are many reasons why accreditation is important, with the most important being that accreditation assures an institution meets high education standards and delivers good quality training.
Degree Levels Available
While searching for the best product design school for you, you need to know what degree level you want to pursue. This will help you narrow your search. For example, if you’re going to pursue a product design bachelor’s degree, you will look for the best product design bachelor’s degree schools.
Career Services
Finding a job after completing your degree may be a daunting and challenging endeavor, but attending a college with career services will make it much more manageable. Look for one of the best product design colleges with career services to help you prepare for your next job interview, write a resume, and write a cover letter. Some career services also include one on one career coaching sessions.
How to Get Into the Right School for Your Profession
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Does It Matter What College I Go to for Product Design?
Yes, it does matter what college you go to for product design. What college or university you go to depends on factors like your career goals. For example, your career goals influence which product design school you attend because some schools specialize in specific fields of product design that may or may not align with your interests.
To ensure high-quality education, you should look at the faculty to see who you’ll learn from. Look at the university’s product design program rankings, as well. If you intend to earn an associate degree, you may want to go to a community college. However, if you pursue a bachelor’s degree, you need to attend one of the best product design universities.
Product Design University Ranking Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Schools for Product Design
We ranked the best product design schools by consulting the university rankings conducted by US News & World Report and Times Higher Education. To further refine our product design university ranking methodology, we gave special consideration to things like reputation, graduation rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and breadth and depth of product design degree program offerings.
Additional Reading About Product Design
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Best Product Design Schools FAQ
Yes, there are many work from home jobs available in the product design field. You can search for remote product design jobs on the Internet and job boards. These remote jobs include a high salary and allow you to work from wherever is convenient for you.
Yes, product design online degrees are respected by employers if a recognized accrediting body accredits it. When you decide on an online product design school, you should check its accreditation and rankings before applying.
Yes, you can get a job in product design without a degree. If you don’t want to spend years studying to earn a degree you could opt for a coding bootcamp. Bootcamps are intensive programs shorter than an associate degree. It teaches vital product design skills to prepare you for your product design career.
The highest-paying state for industrial designers is Virginia. Information regarding product designers specifically is not available on the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, but industrial design roles are comparable to product design roles.
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