Top 50 Universities for Design in the World (2026)

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Exploring Design programs worldwide? This page highlights 50 universities. Compare rankings, tuition fees, and admission rates to find the right match. These institutions are recognized for strong performance in Design education and research.

How to use filters?

Select degree → Department → subject → continent → State → country → city. Each step unlocks the next option. Your selections are remembered for easier browsing.

Degree Level

Bachelor, Master, PhD

Subject Area

Science, Business, Arts

Location

Worldwide destinations

1

Rankings

1 World 1 North America 1 United States 1 Cambridge

University Information

Cambridge, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 3%
Publications 669060
Citations 43305893
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: Medium
View Details
Last Updated:
2

Rankings

10 World 8 North America 8 United States 1 Seattle

University Information

Seattle, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 43%
Publications 423520
Citations 22026256
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
3

Rankings

13 World 11 North America 11 United States 3 Los Angeles

University Information

Los Angeles, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 9%
Publications 364058
Citations 18223106
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
4

Rankings

14 World 12 North America 1 Canada 1 Toronto

University Information

Toronto, Canada
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 54%*
Publications 489594
Citations 19738928
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: Not Available
View Details Visit Website
Last Updated:
5

Rankings

16 World 13 North America 12 United States 1 Philadelphia

University Information

Philadelphia, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 6%
Publications 362411
Citations 18224304
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: Medium
View Details
Last Updated:
6

Rankings

18 World 15 North America 14 United States 1 Minneapolis

University Information

Minneapolis, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 77%
Publications 315563
Citations 13918850
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
7

Rankings

19 World 16 North America 15 United States 1 Chicago

University Information

Chicago, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 5%
Publications 259567
Citations 13284954
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: Medium
View Details
Last Updated:
8

Rankings

20 World 17 North America 16 United States 2 University Park

University Information

University Park, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 54%
Publications 302810
Citations 11063041
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
9

Rankings

23 World 19 North America 18 United States 1 Columbus

University Information

Columbus, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 51%
Publications 332689
Citations 10489118
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
10

Rankings

25 World 21 North America 20 United States 4 San Diego

University Information

San Diego, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 25%
Publications 304245
Citations 16110179
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
11

Rankings

27 World 23 North America 22 United States 5 Los Angeles

University Information

Los Angeles, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 10%
Publications 250052
Citations 10201550
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
12

Rankings

28 World 24 North America 23 United States 1 Gainesville

University Information

Gainesville, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 24%
Publications 316038
Citations 9913526
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
13

Rankings

31 World 27 North America 25 United States 3 Evanston

University Information

Evanston, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 7%
Publications 238956
Citations 11593852
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: Medium
View Details
Last Updated:
14

Rankings

32 World 28 North America 26 United States 1 Austin

University Information

Austin, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 29%
Publications 249099
Citations 9915982
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
15

Rankings

34 World 30 North America 28 United States 6 Davis

University Information

Davis, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 42%
Publications 265216
Citations 10743933
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
16

Rankings

35 World 31 North America 29 United States 2 New Brunswick

University Information

New Brunswick, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 65%
Publications 228591
Citations 8508220
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
17

Rankings

36 World 4 Europe 4 United Kingdom 1 Edinburgh

University Information

Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Europe
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 51%
Publications 234853
Citations 8843169
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details Visit Website
Last Updated:
18

Rankings

39 World 34 North America 32 United States 1 West Lafayette

University Information

West Lafayette, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 50%
Publications 237253
Citations 7247897
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
19

Rankings

40 World 2 Asia 1 China 1 Beijing

University Information

Beijing, China
Asia
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 21%*
Publications 312759
Citations 7972745
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details Visit Website
Last Updated:
20

Rankings

43 World 37 North America 34 United States 1 Tucson

University Information

Tucson, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 86%
Publications 231352
Citations 8679223
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
21

Rankings

46 World 1 Latin America 1 Brazil 1 Sao Paulo

University Information

Sao Paulo, Brazil
Latin America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 9%
Publications 403004
Citations 7213878
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: Medium
View Details Visit Website
Last Updated:
22

Rankings

50 World 41 North America 38 United States 4 Pittsburgh

University Information

Pittsburgh, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 11%
Publications 137967
Citations 7118629
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
23

Rankings

51 World 42 North America 39 United States 1 St. Louis

University Information

St. Louis, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 12%
Publications 217908
Citations 11228109
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: Medium
View Details
Last Updated:
24

Rankings

54 World 44 North America 41 United States 1 Salt Lake

University Information

Salt Lake, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 87%
Publications 195055
Citations 7256213
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
25

Rankings

60 World 8 Europe 6 United Kingdom 5 Manchester

University Information

Manchester, United Kingdom
Europe
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 39%*
Publications 266398
Citations 9228292
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details Visit Website
Last Updated:
26

Rankings

61 World 46 North America 43 United States 2 Tempe

University Information

Tempe, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 90%
Publications 165203
Citations 5999495
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
27

Rankings

67 World 50 North America 46 United States 3 Raleigh

University Information

Raleigh, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 40%
Publications 162533
Citations 4892590
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
28

Rankings

80 World 15 Europe 3 Germany 2 Munich

University Information

Munich, Germany
Europe
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 46%
Publications 185707
Citations 5820735
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: Low
View Details Visit Website
Last Updated:
29

Rankings

81 World 5 Asia 1 Singapore 1 Singapore City

University Information

Singapore City, Singapore
Asia
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 23%*
Publications 231992
Citations 8035566
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details Visit Website
Last Updated:
30

Rankings

91 World 60 North America 56 United States 2 Ames

University Information

Ames, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 89%
Publications 180621
Citations 4539834
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
31

Rankings

92 World 18 Europe 8 United Kingdom 2 Glasgow

University Information

Glasgow, United Kingdom
Europe
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 43%*
Publications 163953
Citations 5545125
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: Not Available
View Details Visit Website
Last Updated:
32

Rankings

93 World 19 Europe 1 Sweden 17 Lund

University Information

Lund, Sweden
Europe
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 58%*
Publications 196693
Citations 7440145
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: Low
View Details Visit Website
Last Updated:
33

Rankings

96 World 21 Europe 9 United Kingdom 7 Leeds

University Information

Leeds, United Kingdom
Europe
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 48%*
Publications 164359
Citations 5493762
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: Not Available
View Details Visit Website
Last Updated:
34

Rankings

106 World 9 Asia 5 China 1 Shanghai

University Information

Shanghai, China
Asia
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 20%*
Publications 297178
Citations 5865792
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details Visit Website
Last Updated:
35

Rankings

107 World 64 North America 60 United States 4 Chicago

University Information

Chicago, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 79%
Publications 168389
Citations 5519325
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
36

Rankings

114 World 69 North America 63 United States 1 Corvallis

University Information

Corvallis, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 79%
Publications 101035
Citations 3657023
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
37

Rankings

116 World 28 Europe 1 Spain 1 Barcelona

University Information

Barcelona, Spain
Europe
Subject: Design
Acceptance 69%
Publications 157917
Citations 5070049
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: Medium
View Details Visit Website
Last Updated:
38

Rankings

117 World 71 North America 65 United States 2 Washington

University Information

Washington, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 44%
Publications 103590
Citations 2976877
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
39

Rankings

119 World 30 Europe 2 Italy 1 Rome

University Information

Rome, Italy
Europe
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 39%*
Publications 212050
Citations 5354684
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: Low
View Details Visit Website
Last Updated:
40

Rankings

121 World 73 North America 7 Canada 2 Calgary

University Information

Calgary, Canada
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 55%
Publications 171178
Citations 5373628
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: Not Available
View Details Visit Website
Last Updated:
41

Rankings

129 World 34 Europe 4 Netherlands 1 Delft

University Information

Delft, Netherlands
Europe
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 50%
Publications 143375
Citations 4017095
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: Medium
View Details Visit Website
Last Updated:
42

Rankings

142 World 82 North America 72 United States 1 Lawrence

University Information

Lawrence, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 88%
Publications 103384
Citations 3069067
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
43

Rankings

146 World 84 North America 74 United States 5 Buffalo

University Information

Buffalo, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 69%
Publications 126751
Citations 4018454
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
44

Rankings

151 World 13 Asia 6 China 2 Hong Kong

University Information

Hong Kong, China
Asia
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 20%*
Publications 149289
Citations 4929526
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details Visit Website
Last Updated:
45

Rankings

155 World 14 Asia 1 South Korea 1 Seoul

University Information

Seoul, South Korea
Asia
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 20%
Publications 211076
Citations 5667818
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details Visit Website
Last Updated:
46

Rankings

156 World 49 Europe 2 Spain 1 Madrid

University Information

Madrid, Spain
Europe
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 54%*
Publications 135899
Citations 2684567
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: Medium
View Details Visit Website
Last Updated:
47

Rankings

158 World 86 North America 76 United States 2 Notre Dame

University Information

Notre Dame, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 12%
Publications 84831
Citations 2783926
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
48

Rankings

162 World 52 Europe 17 United Kingdom 15 Liverpool

University Information

Liverpool, United Kingdom
Europe
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 25%*
Publications 174419
Citations 5195427
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details Visit Website
Last Updated:
49

Rankings

168 World 7 Oceania 1 New Zealand 1 Auckland

University Information

Auckland, New Zealand
Oceania
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 73%*
Publications 118202
Citations 4032916
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details Visit Website
Last Updated:
50

Rankings

170 World 88 North America 78 United States 3 Cincinnati

University Information

Cincinnati, United States
North America
Founded:
Subject: Design
Acceptance 88%
Publications 117295
Citations 3710850
Highest Degree: Doctorate
Tuition: High
View Details
Last Updated:
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