- 1.UX Designers earn a median salary of $104,500 with 16% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
- 2.Top-ranked UX Design programs include University of Central Florida, The University of Texas at Dallas, Purdue University-Main Campus based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: University of Central Florida offers ux design education at $4,478/year with 93% graduation rate
- 4.50 accredited UX Design programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best UX Design Programs - Top 10 Best Value
University of Central Florida
While UCF lacks a dedicated UX Design program, it uniquely positions students through America's Space University innovation ecosystem and the #1-ranked Interactive Entertainment program at FIEA, offering unparalleled access to Orlando's entertainment and technology industries.
Program Overview
The University of Central Florida does not offer a dedicated UX Design master's program among its 90+ graduate degree options. However, UCF provides several related programs that could serve UX Design aspirants. The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Emerging Media offers tracks in Studio Art and Design as well as Animation and Visual Effects, housed within the College of Arts and Humanities. For those interested in the technical side of user experience, the College of Engineering and Computer Science offers an MS in Computer Science and an innovative MS in Interactive Entertainment through the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA) located in downtown Orlando. The Interactive Entertainment program, ranked #1 nationally by The Princeton Review and PC Gamer magazine, focuses on game design, programming, and 3D artistry while developing problem-solving and project management skills under world-renowned faculty.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
World-class facility for game design and interactive entertainment
VR/AR/XR, Human-Centered Design, and Advanced Modeling & Simulation
Industry Partners
The University of Texas at Dallas
UT Dallas uniquely positions UX design within a broader arts-technology ecosystem, offering the only Certificate in Applied Experience Design and Research that can be paired with any major, while housing cutting-edge research labs like the VAST VR Lab that collaborates with the FAA on aerospace maintenance applications.
Program Overview
The University of Texas at Dallas offers UX Design education through multiple pathways across different schools, creating a comprehensive ecosystem for aspiring user experience professionals. The primary offering is the Certificate in Applied Experience Design and Research through the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology, which emphasizes practical, human-centered thinking and provides insight into creating intuitive digital experiences. This certificate can be pursued alongside other degrees or as a standalone credential. Students can also explore UX design through the Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (ATEC) program - recently rebranded as Media Arts and Design (MAD) effective Fall 2025 - which offers concentrations in Emerging Media Arts at the undergraduate level and Creative Practice at the MFA level. The interdisciplinary approach blends art, technology, design, engineering, science, and humanities to create innovative solutions in an idea-driven maker-culture environment.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Virtual and Augmented Reality research, collaborates with FAA on Extended Reality (XR) applications
Public interactive technologies and user experience research
Interdisciplinary research blending art, science, and technology
Interactive storytelling and user experience design
Industry Partners
Purdue University-Main Campus
Purdue's UX Design program provides students with 3.5 years of real-world client experience through its unique Experience Studio model, while ranking #6 nationally and #2 in the Midwest for UX/UI/HCI programs according to Animation Career Review 2024.
Program Overview
Purdue University's UX Design program, housed within the School of Applied and Creative Computing at the Purdue Polytechnic Institute, offers a distinctive Bachelor of Science degree that emphasizes hands-on, industry-connected learning. What sets this program apart is its dual-studio approach: Learning Studios where students hone fundamental skills, and Experience Studios where they tackle real-world projects with industry sponsors. Students graduate with an impressive 3.5 years of practical experience working with actual clients, building robust portfolios through projects like designing portable DJing features for Spotify or collaborating with medical startups on product development.
The program's curriculum spans user research, visual and interaction design, advanced prototyping, and cross-channel strategies, with courses ranging from imaging technology and web development to advanced UX design studios and data visualization. Students can even graduate in three years through Purdue's accelerated Degree in 3 program. The program benefits from Purdue's strong industry connections, placing graduates at major tech companies while maintaining the intimate, close-knit environment that comes with smaller class sizes and direct faculty mentorship from experts like Professor Paul Parsons, recently honored as Most Distinguished Faculty for Research.
Degree Programs
Industry Partners
Admissions
Full Sail University
376 ux design graduates annually
University of Southern California
USC's strength lies in its interdisciplinary approach through the Iovine and Young Academy and its location in Los Angeles, providing access to the entertainment and tech industries, though it lacks a dedicated UX Design graduate program.
Rhode Island School of Design
78 ux design graduates annually
The University of Texas at Austin
UT Austin uniquely positions UX education across information science, traditional design, and healthcare through its pioneering M.A. in Design focused on Health program—the first collaboration of its kind between a design school and medical school to reimagine patient experiences and health services.
Southern New Hampshire University
308 ux design graduates annually
Otis College of Art and Design
101 ux design graduates annually
School of Visual Arts
100 ux design graduates annually
Best UX Design Programs - Compare Top 5 Best Value
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | Public | $4,478 | 93% | 78/100 |
| #2 The University of Texas at Dallas | Richardson, TX | Public | $14,564 | 77% | 75.6/100 |
| #3 Purdue University-Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | Public | $9,718 | 83% | 72.9/100 |
| #4 Full Sail University | Winter Park, FL | For-Profit | $26,417 | N/A | 72.4/100 |
| #5 University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Private | $66,640 | 92% | 71.3/100 |
Best Value UX Design Programs 2026
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | $4,478 | 93% | — | — |
| 2 | The University of Texas at Dallas | Richardson, TX | $14,564 | 77% | — | — |
| 3 | Purdue University-Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | $9,718 | 83% | — | — |
| 4 | Full Sail University | Winter Park, FL | $26,417 | — | — | — |
| 5 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | $66,640 | 92% | — | — |
| 6 | Rhode Island School of Design | Providence, RI | $58,690 | 89% | — | — |
| 7 | The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | $11,678 | 89% | — | — |
| 8 | Southern New Hampshire University | Manchester, NH | $15,450 | 67% | — | — |
| 9 | Otis College of Art and Design | Los Angeles, CA | $49,100 | 86% | — | — |
| 10 | School of Visual Arts | New York, NY | $49,140 | 100% | — | — |
| 11 | Atlantic University | Guaynabo, PR | $6,120 | — | — | — |
| 12 | University of Houston | Houston, TX | $8,685 | 91% | — | — |
| 13 | Texas A & M University-College Station | College Station, TX | $9,003 | 84% | — | — |
| 14 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | $4,477 | 95% | — | — |
| 15 | Academy of Art University | San Francisco, CA | $27,024 | — | — | — |
| 16 | Northeastern University | Boston, MA | $62,000 | — | — | — |
| 17 | Gnomon | Hollywood, CA | $33,390 | 45% | — | — |
| 18 | Lipscomb University | Nashville, TN | $35,848 | 90% | — | — |
| 19 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | Whitewater, WI | $6,812 | 92% | — | — |
| 20 | Five Towns College | Dix Hills, NY | $28,450 | 90% | — | — |
| 21 | Georgian Court University | Lakewood, NJ | $35,360 | 96% | — | — |
| 22 | Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw, GA | $4,450 | 66% | — | — |
| 23 | University of Missouri-Columbia | Columbia, MO | $13,008 | 80% | — | — |
| 24 | University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | North Dartmouth, MA | $14,533 | 97% | — | — |
| 25 | Purdue University Northwest | Hammond, IN | $7,259 | 92% | — | — |
Showing 1–25 of 50
Career Paths
UX Designer
SOC 15-1299Design user interfaces and experiences for web and mobile applications
UI Designer
SOC 15-1299Focus on visual design elements and interface aesthetics
Product Designer
SOC 15-1299Lead design strategy and user research for digital products
UX Researcher
SOC 15-1299Conduct user studies and data analysis to inform design decisions
Design Systems Manager
SOC 11-3021Develop and maintain design standards across organizations
Best Value UX Design Programs by State
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Online vs On-Campus Program Value
Online UX design programs offer significant cost advantages, typically running 20-30% less expensive than traditional on-campus options. However, students must carefully evaluate the trade-offs between cost savings and hands-on learning opportunities.
The best online UX design degrees provide interactive design labs, virtual collaboration spaces, and industry mentorship programs. These programs often partner with tech companies to provide real-world project experience comparable to on-campus programs.
Hybrid programs represent an emerging middle ground, combining online coursework with intensive on-campus residencies or local design studio partnerships. This model reduces overall costs while maintaining crucial hands-on experience and networking opportunities.
Students considering online programs should evaluate their learning style and career goals. Those planning to work in remote tech positions may find online programs perfectly suited to their career trajectory, while students targeting specific geographic markets may benefit from local campus networks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on 152 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
UX Design degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 (4-year institutions weighted higher)
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
State-specific ux design salaries from BLS OES 2024
Data Sources
Employment projections and wage data for UX/UI designers
Federal database of college costs, graduation rates, and post-graduation earnings
Salary data and career progression information
Employee-reported salary and company review data
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.