Best UX Design Degree Programs

Why it ranks #1

Ranked #1 among UX design doctorate programs by Hakia Score (100/100): 85% graduation rate, $104,000 median salary, $11,869 in-state tuition, 9 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.

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University of Washington-Seattle Campus UX Design Program Overview

Hakia ranks University of Washington-Seattle Campus as the #1 in ux design degree program.

This is a research doctorate: the PhD in Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE), housed in UW's College of Engineering, requiring a minimum of 90 credits across roughly two years of coursework plus multiple years of dissertation research. It trains scholars and researchers, not direct-entry UX practitioners. The numbers explain the rank-1, Hakia Score of 100: an 85% graduation rate, a selective 39% admit rate, and in-state tuition of $11,869/yr against $42,105/yr out-of-state. The department states it strives to fund all PhD students through TA and RA positions, which would offset that gap. This fits people aiming at faculty or research careers, not someone chasing the $104,000 national UX median, which requires no PhD at all. The honest tradeoff: years of study and 90 credits for a credential the field does not demand.

Program Strengths

Hakia Score 100, ranked #1; 85% graduation rate
Selective research PhD: 39% admit rate
In-state tuition $11,869/yr vs $42,105/yr out-of-state
PhD in HCDE with stated TA/RA funding goal for all students

🥈

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Bachelor's in UX DesignOn-campus

Atlanta, GAPublic

$104,000 median salary · 94% graduation rate

96.4

Score

$11K

Tuition/yr

94%

Grad Rate

$104K

Median Salary

Why it ranks #2

Ranked #2 among UX design bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (96.4/100): 94% graduation rate, $104,000 median salary, $10,512 in-state tuition, 76 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.

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Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus UX Design Program Overview

Hakia ranks Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus as the #2 in ux design degree program.

Georgia Tech's UX-relevant credential isn't a standalone UX degree. It's the Interaction Design track inside the BS in Computational Media, a joint program run by the College of Computing, the School of Literature, Media, and Communication, and the School of Music. You take a discipline lens (People, Media, AI, or Music Technology) crossed with a domain, so the UX path is literally "Computational Media - People - Interaction Design," backed by 36 credit hours of computer science. The numbers are strong: a 94% graduation rate and a No. 2 ranking (Hakia Score 96.4). In-state tuition is $10,512/yr versus $32,938 out-of-state, so a four-year in-state degree runs about $42,048, roughly 40% of the $104,000 national UX median. The tradeoff: a 14% admit rate means most applicants never get to pay that price. This fits Georgia residents who can code and clear a selective bar.

Program Strengths

94% graduation rate; Hakia Score 96.4 (ranked No. 2)
In-state tuition $10,512/yr vs $32,938 out-of-state, a $22,426/yr gap
UX path is the Computational Media - People - Interaction Design track, 36 CS credit hours
Selective: 14% admit rate, one of the toughest in the dataset

🥉

University of Southern California

Bachelor's in UX DesignOn-campus

Los Angeles, CAPrivate nonprofit

$104,000 median salary · 92% graduation rate

89.7

Score

$70K

Tuition/yr

92%

Grad Rate

$104K

Median Salary

Why it ranks #3

Ranked #3 among UX design bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (89.7/100): 92% graduation rate, $104,000 median salary, $69,904 in-state tuition, 1 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.

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University of Southern California UX Design Program Overview

Hakia ranks University of Southern California as the #3 in ux design degree program.

USC's Human Technology Interaction BS is a cross-school degree run by the Iovine and Young Academy with the Viterbi School of Engineering, pairing an interaction-design and business sequence with a Viterbi software-development track. It is built on the IYA's Challenge Based Reflective Learning Framework, where students work with industry and community partners across a 16-unit core (128 units total) toward full-stack roles in AI, extended reality, data systems, and IoT. It is on-campus only, ranked third here on a Hakia Score of 89.7. The numbers: a 92% graduation rate, but a 10% admit rate. As a private school, tuition is a flat $69,904 whether or not you live in California. It fits builders who can clear that admissions wall; the honest catch is that the 92% grad rate says nothing about your odds of getting in.

Program Strengths

92% graduation rate; Hakia Score 89.7 (ranked #3)
Selective: 10% admit rate is the real bottleneck
Flat $69,904/yr tuition, no in-state discount (private)
Cross-school BS via Iovine and Young Academy + Viterbi Engineering

Carnegie Mellon University

Master's in UX DesignFully online

Pittsburgh, PAPrivate nonprofit

$104,000 median salary · 94% graduation rate

89.1

Score

$65K

Tuition/yr

94%

Grad Rate

$104K

Median Salary

Why it ranks #4

Ranked #4 among online UX design master's programs by Hakia Score (89.1/100): 94% graduation rate, $104,000 median salary, $64,596 in-state tuition, 10 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.

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Carnegie Mellon University UX Design Program Overview

Hakia ranks Carnegie Mellon University as the #4 in ux design degree program.

Carnegie Mellon's Master of Human-Computer Interaction (MHCI) is a one-year, three-semester professional degree that runs August to August and is built around a seven-month industry Capstone, a real design-and-research project with an external client. The page states MHCI is currently designated a STEM program, and calls itself the first program in the world dedicated to HCI, UX design, and user-centered research. The numbers back the reputation: a 94 percent graduation rate, a Hakia Score of 89.1 (our No. 4 ranking basis), and a private-nonprofit tuition of 64,596 dollars flat, no in-state versus out-of-state split. Against the 104,000 dollar national median for UX roles, that is roughly 62 percent of one year's median pay, compressed into 12 months. The tradeoff is access: a 12 percent admit rate, and the page confirms 2026-27 is closed, so missing the fall window costs a full year.

Program Strengths

94% graduation rate; Hakia Score 89.1 (ranked No. 4)
One tuition for all: $64,596 flat, no in-state/out-of-state gap
Seven-month industry Capstone with an external client
12% admit rate; 2026-27 cycle already closed

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Bachelor's in UX DesignOn-campus

Champaign, ILPublic

$104,000 median salary · 85% graduation rate

86.3

Score

$15K

Tuition/yr

85%

Grad Rate

$104K

Median Salary

Why it ranks #5

Ranked #5 among UX design bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (86.3/100): 85% graduation rate, $104,000 median salary, $14,975 in-state tuition, 40 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.

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University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign UX Design Program Overview

Hakia ranks University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as the #5 in ux design degree program.

The scraped program here is a studio-based Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design in Illinois's School of Art and Design, built on a human-centered approach that runs through user experience, materials, and production. It is a portfolio program, not an open major: you clear a creative portfolio review to get admitted, then a second review in year two to advance to the final two years. That sits on top of the university's 42% admit rate, so entry is a real merit filter. The payoff for those who clear it is an 85% graduation rate and a Hakia Score of 86.3, our No. 5 ranking basis. Residency drives the economics. In-state tuition of $14,975/yr is about 14% of the $104,000 national UX median; out-of-state runs $36,804, a $21,829 yearly gap that compounds to $87,316 over four years. Best fit: portfolio-ready Illinois residents who want hands-on studio design.

Program Strengths

85% graduation rate; Hakia Score 86.3 (our No. 5 ranking basis)
BFA in Industrial Design, School of Art and Design: human-centered, studio-based
Portfolio review gates both admission and year-two advancement, on top of 42% admit rate
In-state $14,975/yr vs out-of-state $36,804: $87,316 four-year gap

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Master's in UX DesignOn-campus

Raleigh, NCPublic

$104,000 median salary · 85% graduation rate

85.2

Score

$7K

Tuition/yr

85%

Grad Rate

$104K

Median Salary

Why it ranks #6

Ranked #6 among UX design master's programs by Hakia Score (85.2/100): 85% graduation rate, $104,000 median salary, $6,535 in-state tuition, 11 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.

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North Carolina State University at Raleigh UX Design Program Overview

Hakia ranks North Carolina State University at Raleigh as the #6 in ux design degree program.

NC State's Master of Graphic & Experience Design is a terminal, MFA-equivalent degree built around UX/UI, data visualization, and AI, and the program page cites STEM Classification (CIP) as a rare distinction. Two entry tracks fit two applicants: MGXD II, a two-year path for those with a BFA and design work experience, and MGXD III, a three-year path for career-changers from other fields. An 85% graduation rate and 42% admit rate make this selective but attainable. The Hakia Score of 85.2 anchors its number 6 ranking. The real decision is residency: in-state tuition runs $6,535 a year against $30,583 out-of-state, a $24,048 annual gap for the identical NASAD-accredited degree. In-state residents get one of the strongest returns here, roughly six weeks of the $104,000 national UX median; out-of-state students should weigh that 4.7x premium hard.

Program Strengths

85% graduation rate, 42% admit rate: selective but attainable
Two entry tracks: MGXD II (2-yr, BFA holders) and MGXD III (3-yr, career-changers)
In-state $6,535 vs out-of-state $30,583: a 4.7x residency swing
Terminal MFA-equivalent degree with STEM (CIP) classification per the page

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

Bachelor's in UX DesignOn-campus

University Park, PAPublic

$104,000 median salary · 86% graduation rate

84.1

Score

$20K

Tuition/yr

86%

Grad Rate

$104K

Median Salary

Why it ranks #7

Ranked #7 among UX design bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (84.1/100): 86% graduation rate, $104,000 median salary, $20,066 in-state tuition, 45 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.

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Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus UX Design Program Overview

Hakia ranks Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus as the #7 in ux design degree program.

Penn State's B.S. in Human-Centered Design and Development (HCDD) is a research-and-build UX program: it pairs design coursework with real programming (Application Development Studio, Programming for the Web, Engineering of Complex Software Systems) and makes you pick one of eight Application Focus Areas, from Healthcare to Security and Risk to Sociology, so your UX work is grounded in a domain. An Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate option lets you finish the B.S. plus a master's (for example, M.S. in Cybersecurity Analytics) in five years. The numbers back the pick: an 86% graduation rate, a forgiving 61% admit rate, and a 84.1 Hakia Score behind its No. 7 ranking. The catch is price. In-state tuition is $20,066 a year; out-of-state is $41,212, a $21,146 annual gap for the same program. This fits Pennsylvania residents and anyone who wants design plus code, not visual design alone.

Program Strengths

86% graduation rate, 61% admit rate, 84.1 Hakia Score (No. 7)
Eight Application Focus Areas: Healthcare, Security and Risk, Data Sciences, Psychology, and more
Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate track: B.S. plus a master's in five years
In-state $20,066/yr vs out-of-state $41,212/yr, a $21,146 residency gap

Auburn University

Master's in UX DesignOn-campus

Auburn, ALPublic

$104,000 median salary · 82% graduation rate

77.5

Score

$11K

Tuition/yr

82%

Grad Rate

$104K

Median Salary

Why it ranks #8

Ranked #8 among UX design master's programs by Hakia Score (77.5/100): 82% graduation rate, $104,000 median salary, $11,016 in-state tuition, 10 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.

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Program Strengths

82% graduation rate
$104,000 median salary
$11,016 in-state tuition
10 graduates annually

Drexel University

Bachelor's in UX DesignOn-campus

Philadelphia, PAPrivate nonprofit

$104,000 median salary · 78% graduation rate

75.4

Score

$60K

Tuition/yr

78%

Grad Rate

$104K

Median Salary

Why it ranks #9

Ranked #9 among UX design bachelor's programs by Hakia Score (75.4/100): 78% graduation rate, $104,000 median salary, $60,042 in-state tuition, 23 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.

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Drexel University UX Design Program Overview

Hakia ranks Drexel University as the #9 in ux design degree program.

Drexel's User Experience and Interaction Design BS sits inside the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design and runs 184 credits on a quarter calendar, built around the Three Co-op model: three six-month, full-time paid work stints before you graduate. The curriculum moves from UX research and UI design into full-stack coding (HTML/CSS, JavaScript, PHP/MySQL) and ends in a capstone that ships an industry-level product. A 79% admit rate and 78% graduation rate make it accessible and finishable, and its 75.4 Hakia Score earns it the ninth spot here. The catch is cost and time: Drexel is private, so tuition is a flat $60,042 whether you are from Pennsylvania or not, with no in-state break. That is roughly 58% of the $104,000 national median UX salary in a single year, and the five-year co-op sequence pushes tuition alone to about $300,210 before fees or aid. Best for students who want real work experience baked in and can carry the fifth year.

Program Strengths

Three Co-op model: three six-month paid work experiences before graduating
78% graduation rate, 79% admit rate; Hakia Score 75.4 (ranked #9)
Flat $60,042 tuition in-state or out; no residency discount
Full-stack coding plus a capstone that launches a real product

#10

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Master's in UX DesignOn-campus

Cincinnati, OHPublic

$104,000 median salary · 75% graduation rate

72.7

Score

$12K

Tuition/yr

75%

Grad Rate

$104K

Median Salary

Explore Associate's Degree in Ux Design

Why it ranks #10

Ranked #10 among UX design master's programs by Hakia Score (72.7/100): 75% graduation rate, $104,000 median salary, $11,685 in-state tuition, 11 graduates a year. Federal data, IPEDS 2024 and BLS.

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University of Cincinnati-Main Campus UX Design Program Overview

Hakia ranks University of Cincinnati-Main Campus as the #10 in ux design degree program.

The University of Cincinnati's Master of Design (MDes) in Human-Centered Technology Design sits in the Ullman School of Design within the College of DAAP. It is a two-year, project-based program that treats design as research: Year 1 builds research methods, strategy, and thesis-topic work, and Year 2 is faculty-guided, student-led thesis work in a domain like health, education, aging, or sustainability, ending in a public defense and exhibition at DAAPWorks. The numbers say access, then attrition. An 85% admit rate makes entry fairly open, but a 75% graduation rate means roughly one in four who start this thesis-driven track do not finish. Its 72.7 Hakia Score anchors the No. 10 ranking. In-state tuition is $11,685/year versus $27,019 out-of-state, so budget matters: fit for Ohio residents wanting a research-heavy design credential, less so for out-of-state students who pay about 2.3x.

Program Strengths

75% graduation rate at an 85% admit rate: open access, but one in four does not finish
Two-year, project-based MDes ending in a public thesis defense and exhibition at DAAPWorks
In-state tuition $11,685/yr vs $27,019 out-of-state, a $15,334 annual gap
Hakia Score 72.7, ranked No. 10; housed in the Ullman School of Design (College of DAAP)

Best UX Design Programs - Top 10, Complete Program Data

#1. University of Washington-Seattle Campus — Doctorate UX Design
Hakia ranks University of Washington-Seattle Campus's doctorate ux design program #1. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: Seattle, WA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,869/year | Graduation Rate: 85% | Median Salary: $104,000 | Score: 100.0
#2. Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus — Bachelor's UX Design
Hakia ranks Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus's bachelor's ux design program #2. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Atlanta, GA | Type: Public | Tuition: $10,512/year | Graduation Rate: 94% | Median Salary: $104,000 | Score: 96.4
#3. University of Southern California — Bachelor's UX Design
Hakia ranks University of Southern California's bachelor's ux design program #3. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Los Angeles, CA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $69,904/year | Graduation Rate: 92% | Median Salary: $104,000 | Score: 89.7
#4. Carnegie Mellon University — Master's UX Design (Online)
Hakia ranks Carnegie Mellon University's online master's ux design program #4. Degree: Master's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $64,596/year | Graduation Rate: 94% | Median Salary: $104,000 | Score: 89.1
#5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — Bachelor's UX Design
Hakia ranks University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's bachelor's ux design program #5. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Champaign, IL | Type: Public | Tuition: $14,975/year | Graduation Rate: 85% | Median Salary: $104,000 | Score: 86.3
#6. North Carolina State University at Raleigh — Master's UX Design
Hakia ranks North Carolina State University at Raleigh's master's ux design program #6. Degree: Master's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Raleigh, NC | Type: Public | Tuition: $6,535/year | Graduation Rate: 85% | Median Salary: $104,000 | Score: 85.2
#7. Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus — Bachelor's UX Design
Hakia ranks Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus's bachelor's ux design program #7. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: University Park, PA | Type: Public | Tuition: $20,066/year | Graduation Rate: 86% | Median Salary: $104,000 | Score: 84.1
#8. Auburn University — Master's UX Design
Hakia ranks Auburn University's master's ux design program #8. Degree: Master's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Auburn, AL | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,016/year | Graduation Rate: 82% | Median Salary: $104,000 | Score: 77.5
#9. Drexel University — Bachelor's UX Design
Hakia ranks Drexel University's bachelor's ux design program #9. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Philadelphia, PA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $60,042/year | Graduation Rate: 78% | Median Salary: $104,000 | Score: 75.4
#10. University of Cincinnati-Main Campus — Master's UX Design
Hakia ranks University of Cincinnati-Main Campus's master's ux design program #10. Degree: Master's. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Cincinnati, OH | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,685/year | Graduation Rate: 75% | Median Salary: $104,000 | Score: 72.7

Our rankings methodology weighs program strength (25%), graduation rate (20%), career outcomes (15%), institutional quality (12%), industry recognition (10%), selectivity (10%), and data transparency (8%). Learn more about our methodology →

Who Should Study UX Design?

UX design is ideal for students who combine analytical thinking with creative problem-solving abilities. You don't need prior design experience, but you should enjoy understanding how people interact with technology and be curious about improving those interactions.

Problem solvers who enjoy understanding user needs and pain points
Creative thinkers who can visualize solutions to complex interaction challenges
Analytical minds comfortable with user research and data interpretation
Collaborative individuals who work well with cross-functional teams
Detail-oriented students who care about accessibility and inclusive design
Tech-curious learners interested in the intersection of psychology and technology

UX Design Degree Levels Compared

UX design programs are available at multiple levels, each suited to different career goals and backgrounds

Ux Design Programs by Degree Level

Associate's Degree in Ux Design

2-year programs for career entry or transfer to bachelor's programs

Best UX Design Programs - Bachelor's

Top-ranked undergraduate programs nationwide

Explore Best UX Design Programs - Bachelor's

Best UX Design Programs - Master's

Top graduate programs for specialization and advancement

Explore Best UX Design Programs - Master's

Online Ux Design Degrees

Flexible online programs for working professionals

Explore Online Ux Design

Best UX Design Programs - Bachelor's

A bachelor's degree in ux design is the standard credential for entry-level positions. These 4-year programs provide comprehensive training and hands-on experience.

Best UX Design Programs - Top 3 Bachelor's

🥇 #1

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Bachelor's in UX DesignOn-campus

Atlanta, GAPublic

$104,000 median salary · 94% grad rate · 76 grads/yr

$11K

Tuition/yr

94%

Grad Rate

96.4

Score

🥈 #2

University of Southern California

Bachelor's in UX DesignOn-campus

Los Angeles, CAPrivate nonprofit

$104,000 median salary · 92% grad rate · 1 grads/yr

$70K

Tuition/yr

92%

Grad Rate

89.7

Score

🥉 #3

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Bachelor's in UX DesignOn-campus

Seattle, WAPublic

$104,000 median salary · 85% grad rate · 74 grads/yr

$12K

Tuition/yr

85%

Grad Rate

88.7

Score

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4. The University of Texas at Dallas (Richardson, TX) - Score: 72.2, Tuition: $14,564

5. The University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX) - Score: 68.8, Tuition: $11,678

6. Texas A & M University-College Station (College Station, TX) - Score: 68.6, Tuition: $9,003

7. University of Florida (Gainesville, FL) - Score: 66.3, Tuition: $4,477

8. University of Houston (Houston, TX) - Score: 64.8, Tuition: $8,685

9. Southern New Hampshire University (Manchester, NH) - Score: 60.4, Tuition: $15,450

10. Northeastern University (Boston, MA) - Score: 60.0, Tuition: $62,000

Best UX Design Programs - Master's

A master's degree in ux design prepares students for senior and specialized roles. These 1-2 year programs offer advanced expertise and leadership training.

Best UX Design Programs - Top 3 Master's

🥇 #1

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Master's in UX DesignOn-campus

Atlanta, GAPublic

$104,000 median salary · 94% grad rate · 22 grads/yr

$11K

Tuition/yr

94%

Grad Rate

93.8

Score

🥈 #2

Carnegie Mellon University

Master's in UX DesignFully online

Pittsburgh, PAPrivate nonprofit

$104,000 median salary · 94% grad rate · 10 grads/yr

$65K

Tuition/yr

94%

Grad Rate

89.1

Score

🥉 #3

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Master's in UX DesignOn-campus

Seattle, WAPublic

$104,000 median salary · 85% grad rate · 116 grads/yr

$12K

Tuition/yr

85%

Grad Rate

88.9

Score

View All Master's Programs →

4. Texas A & M University-College Station (College Station, TX) - Score: 68.2, Tuition: $9,003

5. Harvard University (Cambridge, MA) - Score: 67.9, Tuition: $54,269

6. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, MI) - Score: 67.9, Tuition: $17,977

7. Columbia University in the City of New York (New York, NY) - Score: 67.3, Tuition: $64,526

8. Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY) - Score: 66.6, Tuition: $61,310

9. University of Florida (Gainesville, FL) - Score: 63.7, Tuition: $4,477

10. The University of Texas at Dallas (Richardson, TX) - Score: 59.8, Tuition: $14,564

Best UX Design Programs - Online

Online ux design programs offer flexibility for working professionals. Top accredited programs provide the same curriculum quality as on-campus alternatives.

Best UX Design Programs - Top 3 Online

🥇 #1

Carnegie Mellon University

Master's in UX DesignFully online

Pittsburgh, PAPrivate nonprofit

$104,000 median salary · 94% grad rate · 10 grads/yr

$65K

Tuition/yr

94%

Grad Rate

89.1

Score

🥈 #2

Kent State University at Kent

Master's in UX DesignFully online

Kent, OHPublic

$104,000 median salary · 64% grad rate · 69 grads/yr

$13K

Tuition/yr

64%

Grad Rate

63.2

Score

🥉 #3

Franklin University

Bachelor's in UX DesignFully online

Columbus, OHPrivate nonprofit

$104,000 median salary · 11% grad rate · 8 grads/yr

$10K

Tuition/yr

11%

Grad Rate

59.9

Score

View All Online Programs →

4. University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA) - Score: 74.8, Tuition: $66,640

5. The University of Texas at Dallas (Richardson, TX) - Score: 72.2, Tuition: $14,564

6. University of Florida (Gainesville, FL) - Score: 71.3, Tuition: $4,477

7. The University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX) - Score: 68.8, Tuition: $11,678

8. Texas A & M University-College Station (College Station, TX) - Score: 68.6, Tuition: $9,003

9. Harvard University (Cambridge, MA) - Score: 67.9, Tuition: $54,269

10. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, MI) - Score: 67.9, Tuition: $17,977

Best UX Design Programs - Associate's

An associate's degree in ux design provides a 2-year pathway into the field. These programs are ideal for career starters or those planning to transfer to a 4-year program.

Best UX Design Programs - Top 3 Associate's

🥇 #1

Valencia College

Orlando, FLPublic

57 graduates, 86% grad rate, Score: 58.4

$2K

Tuition/yr

86%

Grad Rate

58.4

Score

🥈 #2

Pierce College District

Lakewood, WAPublic

25 graduates, 93% grad rate, Score: 58.2

$4K

Tuition/yr

93%

Grad Rate

58.2

Score

🥉 #3

Bellevue College

Bellevue, WAPublic

18 graduates, 96% grad rate, Score: 56.9

$4K

Tuition/yr

96%

Grad Rate

56.9

Score

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4. Modesto Junior College (Modesto, CA) - Score: 55.9, Tuition: $1,188

5. MiraCosta College (Oceanside, CA) - Score: 55.7, Tuition: $1,104

6. State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota (Bradenton, FL) - Score: 53.8, Tuition: $2,365

7. Palm Beach State College (Lake Worth, FL) - Score: 49.4, Tuition: $3,030

8. Villa Maria College (Buffalo, NY) - Score: 45.9, Tuition: $27,530

9. Lake Washington Institute of Technology (Kirkland, WA) - Score: 45.8, Tuition: $3,195

10. Miami Dade College (Miami, FL) - Score: 45.2, Tuition: $1,987

Best UX Design Programs - Graduate

Graduate programs in ux design (PhD and doctoral degrees) prepare students for research, academic, and senior leadership positions.

Best UX Design Programs - Top 3 Graduate

🥇 #1

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Doctorate in UX DesignOn-campus

Seattle, WAPublic

$104,000 median salary · 85% grad rate · 9 grads/yr

$12K

Tuition/yr

85%

Grad Rate

100.0

Score

🥈 #2

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Master's in UX DesignOn-campus

Atlanta, GAPublic

$104,000 median salary · 94% grad rate · 22 grads/yr

$11K

Tuition/yr

94%

Grad Rate

93.8

Score

🥉 #3

Carnegie Mellon University

Master's in UX DesignFully online

Pittsburgh, PAPrivate nonprofit

$104,000 median salary · 94% grad rate · 10 grads/yr

$65K

Tuition/yr

94%

Grad Rate

89.1

Score

View All Graduate Programs →

Most Affordable UX Design Programs

Looking for quality ux design education without the hefty price tag? These programs offer the best value, balancing tuition costs with strong academic outcomes and career prospects. Our Value Score factors in graduation rates, program strength, and institutional quality relative to cost.

Top 5 Most Affordable UX Design Programs

Rank	Program & School	Delivery	Annual Tuition	Grad Rate	Median Salary	Hakia Score
#1	Doctorate in UX Design University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA · Public	On-campus	$11,869	85%	$104,000	100.0
#2	Bachelor's in UX Design Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, GA · Public	On-campus	$10,512	94%	$104,000	96.4
#3	Bachelor's in UX Design University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit	On-campus	$69,904	92%	$104,000	89.7
#4	Master's in UX Design Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofit	Online	$64,596	94%	$104,000	89.1
#5	Bachelor's in UX Design University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL · Public	On-campus	$14,975	85%	$104,000	86.3
#6	Master's in UX Design North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC · Public	On-campus	$6,535	85%	$104,000	85.2
#7	Bachelor's in UX Design Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public	On-campus	$20,066	86%	$104,000	84.1
#8	Master's in UX Design Auburn University Auburn, AL · Public	On-campus	$11,016	82%	$104,000	77.5
#9	Bachelor's in UX Design Drexel University Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit	On-campus	$60,042	78%	$104,000	75.4
#10	Master's in UX Design University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, OH · Public	On-campus	$11,685	75%	$104,000	72.7
#11	Master's in UX Design California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA · Public	On-campus	$6,084	69%	$104,000	72.4
#12	Bachelor's in UX Design Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA · Public	On-campus	$4,560	52%	$104,000	69.5
#13	Bachelor's in UX Design Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit	On-campus	$46,175	69%	$104,000	67.6
#14	Master's in UX Design Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH · Public	Online	$12,742	64%	$104,000	63.2
#15	Bachelor's in UX Design Robert Morris University Moon Township, PA · Private nonprofit	On-campus	$34,360	66%	$104,000	60.6
#16	Bachelor's in UX Design Lebanon Valley College Annville, PA · Private nonprofit	On-campus	$50,600	65%	$104,000	60.1
#17	Bachelor's in UX Design Franklin University Columbus, OH · Private nonprofit	Online	$9,552	11%	$104,000	59.9
#18	Master's in UX Design Gallaudet University Washington, DC · Private nonprofit	On-campus	$18,288	47%	$104,000	57.4
#19	Master's in UX Design Wichita State University Wichita, KS · Public	On-campus	$7,529	51%	$104,000	56.9
#20	Bachelor's in UX Design Pennsylvania State University-World Campus University Park, PA · Public	On-campus	$15,356	34%	$104,000	55.4
#21	Doctorate in UX Design Capitol Technology University Laurel, MD · Private nonprofit	Online	$26,350	43%	$104,000	50.0

Showing all 21 ranked programs.

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UX Design Career Outcomes

UX design offers strong career prospects with the BLS projecting 13% job growth for web developers and digital interface designers through 2032, much faster than average. The field offers diverse career paths from individual contributor roles to management and specialized research positions.

$52,000

Starting Salary

$77,200

Mid-Career

+13%

Job Growth

23,900

Annual Openings

Career Paths

UX Designer

+13%

Design user interfaces and experiences for web and mobile applications, conducting user research and creating wireframes and prototypes.

Median Salary:$77,200

UX Researcher

+15%

Conduct user research, usability testing, and data analysis to inform design decisions and validate user experience solutions.

Median Salary:$82,100

Product Designer

+16%

Own the design process for digital products from conception to launch, working closely with product managers and engineers.

Median Salary:$85,600

Interaction Designer

+12%

Focus on how users interact with digital products, designing intuitive navigation, animations, and interactive elements.

Median Salary:$79,800

Information Architect

+10%

Structure and organize information in digital products to create logical, findable, and usable content hierarchies.

Median Salary:$73,500

UX Design Curriculum Overview

UX design programs combine design theory, user research methodologies, technical skills, and business understanding. Core courses cover both the analytical and creative aspects of user experience design.

User Research: Interviewing, surveys, usability testing, persona development
Design Thinking: Problem-solving methodologies, ideation, and design sprints
Information Architecture: Site mapping, user flows, content strategy
Prototyping: Wireframing, mockups, interactive prototypes using Figma, Adobe XD
Visual Design: Typography, color theory, layout principles, design systems
Accessibility: WCAG guidelines, inclusive design, assistive technology
Psychology: Cognitive psychology, human-computer interaction, behavioral design
Business Skills: Product strategy, stakeholder management, design metrics

Most programs emphasize hands-on portfolio development through real client projects, internships, and capstone experiences that demonstrate practical UX design skills to employers.

UX Design Programs by State

Best UX Design Programs in Arizona

Total Programs: 25
Median Tuition: $11,500

Best UX Design Programs in California

ASU, U of Arizona

Total Programs: 85
Median Tuition: $14,500

Best UX Design Programs in Colorado

Stanford, UC Berkeley

Total Programs: 28
Median Tuition: $13,400

Best UX Design Programs in Florida

CU Boulder

Total Programs: 52
Median Tuition: $6,400

Best UX Design Programs in Georgia

UF, FSU

Total Programs: 35
Median Tuition: $9,700

Best UX Design Programs in Illinois

Georgia Tech

Total Programs: 42
Median Tuition: $15,100

Best UX Design Programs in Massachusetts

UIUC

Total Programs: 45
Median Tuition: $16,400

Best UX Design Programs in Michigan

MIT, Harvard

Total Programs: 38
Median Tuition: $15,900

Best UX Design Programs in New York

U of Michigan

Total Programs: 65
Median Tuition: $8,500

Best UX Design Programs in North Carolina

Cornell, Columbia

Total Programs: 38
Median Tuition: $7,200

Best UX Design Programs in Ohio

Duke, UNC, NC State

Total Programs: 45
Median Tuition: $10,800

Best UX Design Programs in Pennsylvania

OSU, Case Western

Total Programs: 48
Median Tuition: $19,200

Best UX Design Programs in Texas

CMU, Penn State

Total Programs: 72
Median Tuition: $11,800

Best UX Design Programs in Virginia

UT Austin, Texas A&M

Total Programs: 32
Median Tuition: $14,200

Best UX Design Programs in Washington

UVA, Virginia Tech

Total Programs: 38
Median Tuition: $12,100

Best UX Design Programs in Connecticut

UW Seattle

Total Programs: 28
Median Tuition: $16,800

Best UX Design Programs in Indiana

Yale, UConn

Total Programs: 35
Median Tuition: $10,200

Best UX Design Programs in Maryland

Purdue, IU Bloomington

Total Programs: 35
Median Tuition: $10,900

Best UX Design Programs in Minnesota

UMD, Johns Hopkins

Total Programs: 32
Median Tuition: $14,600

Best UX Design Programs in Missouri

U of Minnesota

Total Programs: 32
Median Tuition: $11,300

Best UX Design Programs in New Jersey

Wash U, Mizzou

Total Programs: 42
Median Tuition: $15,200

Best UX Design Programs in Oregon

Rutgers, Princeton

Total Programs: 25
Median Tuition: $12,400

Oregon State, U of Oregon

Best UX Design Programs in Tennessee

Total Programs: 30
Median Tuition: $9,800

Best UX Design Programs in Utah

Vanderbilt, UT Knoxville

Total Programs: 22
Median Tuition: $8,900

Best UX Design Programs in Wisconsin

U of Utah, BYU

Total Programs: 28
Median Tuition: $10,700