2025 Best Colleges for Interior Design

Academic Highlights: Classes are a bit larger at Cornell than at many other elite institutions. Still, 54% of sections have fewer than 20 students. Introductory courses sometimes take place in larger lecture halls, so 24% of courses have an enrollment of more than forty students. Undergraduates do give their professors generally high marks: 88% report being satisfied with the instruction they have received, 48% report completing a thesis/research project, and 53% conducted research with a faculty member. Members of Big Red can choose from study abroad opportunities in more than forty countries, and roughly one-third participate.

Professional Outcomes: Breaking down the graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences, the largest school at Cornell, 63% entered the workforce, 26% entered graduate school, 2% pursued other endeavors such as travel or volunteer work, and the remaining 4% were still seeking employment six months after receiving their diplomas. Graduates earned a median salary of $85,000. Of the students from A&S going on to graduate school, 13% pursued JDs, 4% MDs, and 25% PhDs. Popular destinations included staying at Cornell, other Ivies, Stanford, MIT, universities in the UC system, or abroad at Oxford, Cambridge, the University of Toronto, or the University of St. Andrews

Academic Highlights: The New School delivers an exceptionally personalized education through its 45 undergraduate majors across five distinguished colleges, all supported by an outstanding 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio. This intimate learning environment fosters close mentorship and intellectual collaboration, amplified by 34 specialized research centers that connect academia with real-world challenges. The university’s academic excellence is further demonstrated by an impressive 30-year streak of Fulbright Awards, showcasing its commitment to producing globally engaged scholars and creative thinkers.

Professional Outcomes: New School graduates achieve remarkable career momentum, with 81% securing employment or entering graduate programs within their first post-graduation year. While many leverage their education into successful freelance careers, others launch at premier organizations, including the United Nations, NBC Universal, and JP Morgan Chase. The university’s emphasis on critical thinking and innovation yields strong financial returns – alumni earn median salaries of $70,400 early in their careers, nearly doubling to $134,500 at mid-career. These outcomes reflect The New School’s unique ability to prepare graduates for leadership across creative industries, global organizations, and the knowledge economy.

Academic Highlights: Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) stands as America’s most comprehensive arts university, offering over 40 programs across 11 specialized schools—more degree options than any peer institution. While maintaining an accessible 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio, SCAD ensures quality through its accomplished faculty (76% holding terminal degrees) and intimate class sizes (56% under 20 students). This global creative community brings together students from all 50 states and 120+ countries, united under SCAD’s mission as “The University for Creative Careers.”

Professional Outcomes: SCAD’s career outcomes are nothing short of extraordinary: 98% of graduates secure employment or continue education within ten months, with 90% working in their field of study. Alumni lead creative innovation at industry giants like Disney Imagineering, Epic Games, and Microsoft, while entrepreneurial graduates build successful independent practices. The financial returns validate SCAD’s professional outcomes—early median earnings of $61,000 launch careers and grow to $103,400 at mid-career, proving that creative careers can yield both professional fulfillment and financial success.

Academic Highlights: RISD offers an exceptionally intimate learning environment with an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio and average class size of just 15 students, ensuring deep mentorship from working artist-educators. The global student body represents 57 countries across 44 degree programs. All first-years engage in the innovative Experimental and Foundation Studies (EFS) curriculum—a full-day weekly studio experience that builds creative fundamentals through rigorous faculty collaboration. For those seeking an international perspective, the First Year in Florence Program extends this transformative foundational experience to Italy, maintaining RISD’s signature hands-on approach.

Professional Outcomes: RISD’s career outcomes are extraordinary: 95% of the Class of 2023 achieved success, with 74% securing positions directly aligned to their studies. The entrepreneurial spirit thrives—53% of alumni own or plan to start businesses. Graduates shape industries at major employers like Nike, Google, and Netflix, while the school’s creative impact is further evidenced by 114 Fulbright scholars and 11 MacArthur “Genius” Fellows. Early career financial success is strong, with 44% earning above $40,000—a notable achievement in creative fields, demonstrating RISD’s ability to launch sustainable artistic careers.

Academic Highlights: There are 230+ undergraduate majors offered across eight schools and colleges, Undergrads can expect a mix of large and small classes, with 43% of sections enrolling fewer than 20 students. Undergraduate research opportunities exist, but the onus is on the student to show initiative and procure the placement. Still, 44% of recent grads engaged in research, and the school hosts an annual Undergraduate Symposium where 600 students presented in 2024. Participation is much higher when it comes to study abroad programs; 25% of students take advantage each year and there are 325 programs in 80 countries to choose from.

Professional Outcomes: In 2023, 72% of job-seeking grads graduated with an offer.  Top employers included UW-Madison, Epic, UW Health, the State of Wisconsin, Kohl’s, and Deloitte. Across all graduating years, companies employing 250+ alumni include Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Target, Apple, Meta, and Salesforce. Class of 2023 grads enrolled in graduate/professional programs at a rate of 28%; volunteering is also a popular path post-graduation for UW-Madison alumni as the university is the #1 producer of Peace Corps volunteers.

Academic Highlights: Despite a high number of graduate students also studying at SU, class sizes are kept reasonably low; 61% contain 20 students or fewer. The Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Engagement (The SOURCE) supports student participation in faculty-guided research via a number of short- and long-term opportunities, many of which are funded. As a result, 250 students engaged in research last summer alone. The university’s office of study abroad programs arranges for 46% of undergrads to spend a semester in a foreign land.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after exiting the Carrier Dome for the final time in 2023, 63% of Orangemen and women found employment (93% related to their career goals) and 26% continued to graduate school. The companies employing the most ‘Cuse grads include major companies like ESPN, Bloomberg, and Creative Artists Agency as well as big-name corporations like GE, KPMG, EY, Lockheed Martin, and Morgan Stanley. The average starting salary for 2023 grads was a solid $63k.

Academic Highlights: There are over 100 undergraduate majors to choose from at Drexel.  The university offers a reasonable 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio with commensurately reasonable class sizes. Fifty-one percent of sections contain 19 or fewer students, and just 9% of sections contain 50 or more. Drexel students are encouraged to begin seeking undergraduate research opportunities “as early as the freshman year.” An array of research-oriented co-ops exist at local hospitals, museums, and pharmaceutical companies as well. With the emphasis on co-op education, it can be difficult to carve out time to study abroad while at Drexel. In a typical year, roughly 900 students manage to study internationally at one of 60 locations. Co-ops in foreign countries are another way to access the benefits of this type of experience.

Professional Outcomes: One year after graduating, 97% of Dragons have arrived at their next destination; 94% of full-time graduates were satisfied with their position and 87% were working in professions related to their field of study. The largest employers of Drexel alumni are Children’s Hospital of Philadephia, Penn Medicine, Comcast, Lockheed Martin, and Vanguard. The average salary for Drexel grads with a full-time job was $68,650.

Academic Highlights: Eight undergraduate colleges that offer 150+ distinct majors are housed within Virginia Tech. 34% of sections contain fewer than 20 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1. Overall, 19% of recent graduates report participating in some type of undergraduate research experience, but landing such opportunities is much easier for members of the Honors College. Each year, more than 1,200 students avail themselves of the chance to study abroad in locations such as Switzerland, New Zealand, France, and Scotland.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 37% of the Class of 2023 were employed and 14% were in graduate school. Graduates work at major corporations including Deloitte, EY, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Kimley-Horn, Northrop Grumman, and Accenture. The median salary for 2023 graduates was $70,000. Among recent grads who decided to pursue an advanced degree, the greatest number stayed at VT, while others enrolled at Virginia Commonwealth University, George Mason University, George Washington University, UVA, UNC Chapel Hill, and Johns Hopkins.

Academic Highlights: Pratt Institute delivers an exceptionally personalized arts education through its 26 majors and 48 academic programs, all supported by 1,200 dedicated faculty members. The institute maintains an intimate 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, creating an environment where mentorship and individualized attention thrive. This focused approach allows students to develop their creative practice while engaging deeply with faculty who are working professionals in their fields.

Professional Outcomes: Pratt’s career outcomes speak volumes, with 91% of recent graduates employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. Alumni are highly sought after by industry leaders across creative sectors, including Apple, Google, Meta, and cultural institutions like The Met. The institute’s strong industry connections yield excellent financial returns, with graduates earning median salaries of $67,000 early in their careers, nearly doubling to $130,600 by mid-career. These results demonstrate Pratt’s unparalleled ability to launch sustainable, successful careers.

Academic Highlights: The University of Cincinnati—a global leader in experiential education—offers students an unparalleled 285 bachelor’s programs within a vibrant, internationally diverse community representing all 50 states and 121 countries. While maintaining an accessible 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio, UC strikes an ideal balance in class sizes: 34% of courses feature intimate cohorts of 19 or fewer students, while 19% deliver the dynamic energy of larger lectures (50+ students). As the birthplace of cooperative education, UC guarantees 100% student participation in transformative experiences—from traditional co-ops and service spring breaks to innovative virtual internships. This hands-on philosophy builds on UC’s legacy of groundbreaking research that brought the world revolutionary innovations like the oral polio vaccine and the heart-lung machine.

Professional Outcomes: UC’s career outcomes showcase its strength as an economic engine for Ohio and beyond: 81% of 2023 graduates secured employment, notably with regional powerhouses like Cincinnati Children’s, Procter & Gamble, and Kroger, while 13% pursued advanced degrees. The university’s deep industry partnerships yield strong financial returns, with alumni earning an average of $60,397 within three years of graduation. Many Bearcats choose to build their careers in the thriving Cincinnati metro area, contributing to the local economy—a testament to UC’s enduring impact on regional workforce development.

Academic Highlights: FIT stands as New York’s premier public fashion institution, offering 29 specialized undergraduate programs to students from all 50 states and 81 countries. With a focused 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio and the unique distinction of 100% classes enrolling fewer than 30 students, FIT ensures personalized training from industry professionals. The college’s global perspective is strengthened through 60+ international programs, preparing students to lead in the worldwide fashion industry.

Professional Outcomes: FIT’s 2023 bachelor’s graduates achieved strong industry placement, with 79% employed within six months—59% with companies and 27% building independent practices. Alumni shape fashion and beauty at top employers, including Ralph Lauren, L’Oréal, and Estée Lauder, while nearly two-thirds work in fields directly related to their FIT degree. With 74% reporting annual earnings of $50,000+, these outcomes demonstrate FIT’s unparalleled ability to launch careers in the competitive fashion marketplace.

Academic Highlights: The student-to-faculty is a 17:1, which translates into somewhat larger class sizes. Ten percent of sections contain more than fifty students, and 4% have more than 100. However, that is balanced by the 66% of sections that contain fewer than twenty students. Undergraduate research is taken advantage of by one-quarter of students, and the school plans to greatly expand such offerings in the coming years. An abundance of study abroad choices include special summer programs in Panama, Florence, London, and Valencia, Spain. FSU has 60 academic programs available in 20 locations throughout the world; 2,500+ students per year participate.

Professional Outcomes: Eighty-three percent of job-seeking Seminole grads receive at least one offer of employment within three months of graduation. Thirty percent of seniors found employment through Career Center services at FSU. Employers hiring the greatest number of FSU alumni include Apple, Northrop Grumman, EY, General Motors, and Deloitte. Roughly one-third of recent Florida State grads elected to immediately pursue admission into an advanced degree program; 84% of those who apply receive at least one acceptance. Geographically, the greatest number of alumni remain in Florida but large numbers also relocate to Massachusetts, Georgia, Texas, New York, and California.

Academic Highlights: The school’s 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio translates to a mix of small, medium, and large undergraduate sections. Seven percent of courses have single-digit enrollments, 11% have over 50 students, and the majority fall in the 10 to 29 range. In recent years, the university has invested in increasing the number of undergraduate research experiences available to its students through the GW Center for Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. The efforts are paying off as 400 undergrads now present at the GW Research Days, a two-day event held in April. Close to half of Revolutionaries study abroad for one semester in Europe (65%), Asia (10%), Latin America (8%), Africa (7%), or Australia (6%).

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of leaving GW, 93% of the Class of 2023 had found their way to gainful employment or graduate school while 6% were still job hunting. Of the 64% of grads already in the workplace, 64% were in a for-profit industry, 26% had entered a nonprofit position, and 10% were working in government. A healthy 26% of those earning their diplomas in 2023 immediately turned their attention to earning an advanced degree. Fifty-three percent of grads earned a starting salary in excess of $60k, while an additional 30% earned between $40k and $60k Just under three-quarters of recent grads remained in the Mid-Atlantic region with the West and Mountain regions a distant second.

Academic Highlights: With 16 colleges and 100 undergraduate majors to choose from, educational experiences are exceptionally diverse. UF impressively offers 50% of sections with an enrollment of fewer than 20 students. The Center for Undergraduate Research offers a University Research Scholars program as well as summer opportunities, hosts its own Undergraduate Research Symposium, and publishes its own UF Journal of Undergraduate Research. Forty percent of all undergrads have such an experience. The school has connections to 1,100 study abroad programs that are taken advantage of by more than 2,900 undergrads each year.

Professional Outcomes: The University of Florida demonstrates exceptional career preparation, with 83% of the Class of 2024 securing employment by graduation day. Gator alumni have established a strong presence at leading tech giants, with 200+ graduates currently working at Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Apple, Meta, and Oracle. The class achieved an impressive average starting salary of $68,000. For those continuing their education, popular graduate destinations include the University of South Florida, Nova Southeastern University, and Georgia Tech, showcasing UF’s strong pipeline to both immediate employment and advanced academic opportunities.

Academic Highlights: All undergraduates must complete Auburn’s core curriculum, the purpose of which is to “foster the knowledge, skills, and perspectives that are the hallmarks of an Auburn graduate.” This extensive undertaking includes English composition, humanities (including mandatory literature and fine arts), science (including lab), mathematics, and social sciences. Motivated students take advantage of the Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program. About 20% of Auburn students study abroad, and over 130 programs are offered on every continent

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 58% of the Class of 2023 were employed full-time and 22% had entered graduate programs. 57% were pursuing master’s degrees, 28% professional degrees, and 5% doctorates. In 2023, the average starting salary was $59,216. Alumni pursuing further education can be found at institutions such as Samford University, Belmont University, and the University of Georgia.

Academic Highlights: UT Austin offers over 170 majors. Sn encouraging 36% of course sections enroll nineteen or fewer students. Opportunities for undergraduate research vary by school, and many student must compete for slots in programs such as Summer Research Scholars or use the Eureka database to find individual professors offering research assistantships. A robust study abroad program boasts 400 offerings in 100+ foreign countries; 4,600+ students participate each year, the third-largest number in the country.

Professional Outcomes:  Over 1000 alumni work in the offices of Dell, Google, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and Deloitte; IBM, Meta, Oracle, and AMD employ over 500 each. Graduates early in their careers earn a median salary of $77,400, with median mid-career pay reaching $141,100. Roughly one-quarter of University of Texas at Austin undergraduates go on to pursue advanced degrees after completing their bachelor’s. Many pursue advanced study at UT Austin itself, which offers more than one hundred graduate programs. Many alumni stay in Texas after graduation, settling in Austin, Houston, and Dallas-Fort Worth.

Academic Highlights: Oregon State University spans 11 colleges and graduate schools, including an Honors College, offering students over 300 academic programs to explore. While 28% of classes maintain an intimate setting with fewer than 20 students, another 21% are larger sections with over 50 students, providing diverse learning environments. The university fosters hands-on research through initiatives like URSA Engage, administered by the Office of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and the Arts (URSA), which connects first- and second-year students with faculty mentors for early research opportunities.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 71% of recent OSU alumni were either employed or pursuing graduate studies, with 59% entering the workforce and 10% continuing their education. College of Business graduates frequently land positions at top-tier companies such as Nike, Boeing, and Deloitte, while alumni across all majors secure roles at tech giants like Amazon, Google, and NVIDIA, showcasing the university’s strong industry connections.

Academic Highlights: With more than 100 majors available across six undergraduate colleges, Iowa State has no shortage of academic pathways to explore. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1, yet courses are a mix of large and small. 31% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students and 23% enroll more than 50. Iowa State University offers extensive undergraduate research opportunities across all disciplines, coordinated by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression. For example, students can participate in programs such as the Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA), which provides paid positions for juniors and seniors to engage in faculty-mentored research projects.

Professional Outcomes: Ninety-four percent of the Class of 2023 enjoyed positive career outcomes, with 79% employed and 15% continuing their education. Popular employers include John Deere, Principal Financial Group, Amazon, Collins Aerospace, Corteva Agriscience, Bayer, Cargill, and Microsoft. Most remain in Iowa after graduation but many also move to Minnesota, Chicago, California, or Texas. The average starting salary for the most recent engineering cohort was $77,260.

Academic Highlights: Thomas Jefferson University provides a career-focused education through its 10 colleges and 3 schools, supported by an excellent 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio that ensures 55% of classes maintain fewer than 20 students. With access to 32 hospital campuses and multiple research centers, students gain unparalleled hands-on experience in various fields. Global perspectives are cultivated through 45+ study abroad programs across 35 countries, preparing graduates to lead in an interconnected professional landscape.

Professional Outcomes: Jefferson’s Class of 2024 achieved impressive early outcomes, with 52% securing employment and 43% continuing to graduate programs immediately after commencement. Alumni launch careers at premier healthcare institutions, including Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Jefferson Health, while others contribute to leading architecture/engineering firms like HDR and CRB Group. Those pursuing advanced degrees frequently choose top-tier institutions, including Northwestern University and Villanova, with many returning to Jefferson’s own renowned graduate programs, demonstrating the strong foundation provided by the university’s integrated undergraduate experience.

Academic Highlights: Purdue offers over 200 majors at ten discipline-specific colleges, and 37% of course sections have an enrollment of 19 or fewer. Undergraduates conduct more than 2,000 research projects per year; they can connect with professors during the academic year or apply to participate in a Summer Research Fellowship. Discipline-specific research programs, a research pitch competition, research conferences & symposiums, and publishing opportunities abound. 1,300 students per year elect to study abroad at one of 400 programs in 50 countries.

Professional Outcomes: Shortly after receiving their diplomas, 65% of 2023 grads headed to the world of employment while 25% headed to graduate/professional school. Companies employing the greatest number of recent alumni were Eli Lilly & Company, Amazon, Deloitte, JP Morgan Chase, PepsiCo, and Cummins, Inc. The average starting salary was $71k across all degree programs. The majority of alumni remain in Indiana with Illinois, California, Texas, New York, and Wisconsin rounding out the five next most common destinations.

Academic Highlights: Kansas State University offers 250+ majors, minors, and certificates across a broad range of disciplines, combining the breadth of a large public university with a surprisingly intimate classroom experience—46% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio stands at 18:1. Through the Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry, Wildcats can dive into mentored projects, present at symposia, and secure grants to fund their work, ensuring hands-on learning complements rigorous academics.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 96% of K-State alumni are employed or enrolled in further education. Top employers for recent grads include industry leaders like Burns & McDonnell, Cargill, Garmin, and Koch Industries, with 30% earning starting salaries above $70,000. For those pursuing advanced degrees, popular destinations include K-State itself, the University of Kansas, and the University of Missouri, reflecting the university’s strong regional and professional networks.

Academic Highlights: Alabama manages to keep classes on the smaller side, with 48% enrolling under 20 students and 64% enrolling under 30. Each year, more UA students choose to pursue research opportunities; participation in the annual Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity conference has increased by over 30% since 2022. Historically, only a small percentage of undergrads study abroad—about 5% each year—but hundreds of options are available, and the university directly partners with nearly 30 programs in 13 countries.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 92% of alumni have already achieved a positive result; 58% go into the working world and one-third enter graduate/professional school. Top employers include Amazon, AT&T, Capital One, Dell Technologies, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing. The average salary for a Class of 2023 grad was $61,738. For grad school, the highest number of students stay at Alabama while many others enroll at Vanderbilt, LSU, and the University of Mississippi.

Academic Highlights: There are 250+ undergraduate majors and 18 schools and colleges housed within OSU. A 17-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio leads to fairly large classes as only 40% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students, so expect a fair number of courses in a large lecture hall setting. Still, aggressive students can find opportunities to work closely with faculty. The Office of Undergraduate Research & Inquiry helps approximately 600 students per year participate in undergraduate research forums. All told, approximately 20% of students gain research experience. Last year, nearly 1,800 undergraduates elected to study abroad in one of 350+ short- and long-term programs spread across 70 countries; OSU has the third-highest study abroad enrollment numbers in the Big 10.

Professional Outcomes: Upon receiving their diplomas, 64% of Class of 2023 graduates entered the world of employment while 14% were already accepted into graduate or professional school.  Hordes of Buckeyes can be found at many of the nation’s leading companies. More than 2,000 alumni work for JPMorgan Chase, and more than 500 work for Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. Of the grads who directly matriculate into graduate or professional school, many continue in one of OSU’s own programs.

Academic Highlights: Class sizes at Baylor generally range from small to medium, with 52% of sections containing fewer than 20 students and 77% enrolling fewer than 29. The Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Achievement (URSA) office does a superb job connecting students with a research opportunity in their field of interest. The school also pushes overseas experiences in the form of an internship, academic semester, or mission trip. Baylor offers signature programs in Scotland, the Netherlands, and Ireland.

Professional Outcomes: At the 180-day post-graduation point, those who earned their diplomas from Baylor had entered the world of full-time employment at a 49% clip, and 28% had entered a graduate or professional degree program. Large numbers of recent grads were scooped up by many of the most desirable employers in the country including KPMG (25), Deloitte (24), and PricewaterhouseCoopers (24). The average starting salary was $62k. Among recent grads, the most commonly attended graduate school was Baylor itself (249), followed by Texas A&M (24).

Academic Highlights: There are 150 majors available across eight freshman-admitting undergraduate colleges. A 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio is deployed effectively so that 65% of sections enroll 29 or fewer students. No matter your field of study, you can utilize UM’s well-maintained database of upcoming faculty research projects as a way to connect directly with the professor of your choice; more than 2,000 undergraduates participate in a research or creative project every year. An outstanding 30% of UMTC students study abroad during their academic career with the most popular destinations being Spain, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

Professional Outcomes: Over 1000 alumni work at Target, Medtronic, 3M, and U.S. Bank; Amazon, Google, Cargill, and Microsoft employ 500+ UMN graduates each. The average starting salary across all majors is approximately 60k and recent employers include Boeing, Honeywell, Northrop Grumman, Abbott, IBM, EcoLab, Boston Scientific, Wells Fargo, Google, Apple, and Microsoft and Epic. With 130 graduate programs, the University of Minnesota retains many of its graduates as they pursue their next degrees.

Academic Highlights: TCU offers 117 undergraduate majors. With a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio, classes at TCU are not all tiny, but the school manages to keep enrollment below 20 students in 41% of its class sections, and only 5% of courses seat more than 50. Of equal importance, 98% of faculty members teach undergraduate students, so you will have access to the best and brightest professors the school has to offer. The study abroad program makes international study readily accessible, and two-fifths of undergrads enjoy a semester overseas.

Professional Outcomes: Upon graduating, 81% of recent diploma-earners were employed or had their graduate school placement lined up. Deloitte, American Airlines, JPMorgan Chase, and Goldman Sachs employ the greatest number of alumni. Other companies hiring recent TCU grads include Microsoft, IBM, Fidelity Investments, Bank of America, Cerner, PWC, and AT&T. The most recent median starting salary was $65,000.

Academic Highlights: Students can select from 150+ bachelor’s degrees at App State. A reasonable 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio leads to 39% of all course sections having fewer than 20 students and just 8% enrolling 50 or more. Students can engage in faculty-mentored projects through programs like the Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA), which provides paid positions to support faculty research. Additionally, students are encouraged to present their work at events such as the annual Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors.

Professional Outcomes: Within one year of graduating, 86% of those surveyed have arrived at their next destination. Alumni go on to work in large numbers for Wells Fargo, Lowe’s, Bank of America, Atrium Health, Novant Health, and Duke Energy Corporation. For the 28% of grads pursuing further education, alumni enrolled in programs at UNC-Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, and East Carolina University.

Academic Highlights: This highly regarded state institution boasts over 400 areas of study—undergraduate, graduate, and professional—across 17 degree-granting colleges. A 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio rates in the average range for public universities of MSU’s size and scope. Class sizes are a genuine mix of small seminars and giant lecture halls. In one recent year, 55% percent of undergraduate course sections contain fewer than 30 students; just 23% enrolled more than 50. Undergraduate research opportunities do exist for those bold enough to pursue them; 36% of recent grads completed one such experience. Around 25% of undergrads study abroad at one of 260 programs located in 60+ countries.

Professional Outcomes: Within months of strutting across the graduation stage, 63% of Class of 2023 members had landed full-time employment, 25% were pursuing advanced degrees, and 4% were still looking for a job. The top employers of this group included big names like the State of Michigan, General Motors, the US Federal Government, Ford Motor Company, and PepsiCo. The median starting salary earned was $64,149. Among the grad schools favored by recent alumni are the University of Michigan, New York University, Columbia University, and Northwestern University.

Academic Highlights: The University of Oklahoma offers students a robust selection of 170+ academic programs with the ideal balance of a large research university’s resources and personalized attention (17:1 student-faculty ratio). OU excels in undergraduate research through its innovative Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (UReCA), established in 2022 as a centralized hub that awards 50 competitive summer fellowships annually and hosts the UReCA Showcase. This commitment to hands-on learning is complemented by global perspectives, with 25% of Sooners participating in international experiences.

Professional Outcomes: OU graduates launch successful careers quickly, with 79% of the Class of 2024 entering the workforce directly at top employers like Boeing, Paycom, and the U.S. Air Force, earning an average starting salary of $59,000. Other Sooners continue their education at prestigious institutions, including OU’s Health Sciences Center, SMU, and Oklahoma State’s Center for Health Sciences. These outcomes demonstrate OU’s dual strength in preparing students for immediate career success and advanced academic pursuits, particularly in Oklahoma’s key industries.

Academic Highlights: All students must complete a minimum of twenty-nine credits in General Studies courses.  They must also meet requirements in three “awareness areas”: Cultural Diversity in the United States, Global Awareness, and Historical Awareness. There are plenty of opportunities for experiential learning as close to half of undergrads engage in research, land an internship, or have a practicum experience as part of their academic program.

Professional Outcomes: A healthy 89% percent of ASU graduates looking for work are employed within six months of earning their degrees. The median salary for an ASU grad is roughly $55,000. Among the school’s top fifty employers are Starbucks, the U.S. Air Force, Amazon, and the Intel Corporation. Most graduates settle in the Greater Phoenix area, with Tempe, Phoenix, and Los Angeles rounding out the list of the top three cities where recent alumni can be found.