Big Shifts in Design School Rankings for 2013

--updated May 16, 2013--

As we discuss in the articles inside DesignIntelligence, you could argue that design education is pretty good the way it is. In fact, it is most likely the best that it has ever been. But according to educators, students and practitioners that we’ve interviewed, it’s not good enough. This year’s rankings by deans, administrators, students and practitioners show that there is considerable quality in design schools but also reveals an unrelenting and increasingly dynamic restlessness for renewed strength and fresh relevance. Any drifting away from quality expectations is most certainly the enemy to the design professions of the future.

In this year’s DesignIntelligence rankings we study several new areas including the strongest branded schools in 22 categories. We have learned, for instance, that the top branded schools for construction leadership are now perceived to be Iowa State, Clemson University and Cal Poly, San Louis Obispo. The strongest branded schools for best campus building and facilities are the University of New Mexico, University of Minnesota and the Savannah College of Art and Design. Leading practitioners in North America believe the top Canadian architecture programs are now the University of British Columbia, Dalhousie University (Halifax) and Carleton University. Let’s take a closer look.

The zones of analysis for 2013 America’s Best Schools of Architecture and Design include the following:

• The 30 most admired educators of 2013
• The top 20 architecture programs and the contenders
• Ranking the top interior design, industrial design and landscape architecture programs
• The Design Futures Council proposal to improve design education
• Architecture school tuition analysis
• More than 2,600 students provide in-depth evaluation of more than 50 schools
• A sampling of the Greenway Group’s practitioner leadership index showing degrees and school affiliations
• Special report on entrepreneurship in design
• Directory of leading architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and industrial design schools
• A complete listing of research participants

Here are the top schools for 2013 in each discipline. For detailed analysis, see the full report in DesignIntelligence.

Top 20 Architecture, Graduate

• 1.Harvard University
• 2. Columbia University
• 3. Yale University
• 4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• 5. Cornell University
• 6. Southern California Institute of Architecture
• 7. University of Virginia
• 7. University of California, Berkeley
• 9. Washington University in St. Louis
• 10. University of Cincinnati
• 11. University of Michigan
• 11. University of Texas at Austin
• 13. Kansas State University
• 14. University of Kansas
• 15. University of Pennsylvania
• 15. Rice University
• 15. Princeton University
• 18. Iowa State University
• 18. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• 20. Clemson University
• 20. Savannah College of Art and Design

Top 20 Architecture, Undergraduate

• 1. Cornell University
• 2. Southern California Institute of Architecture
• 3. Rice University
• 3. Syracuse University
• 5. California Polytechnic State Univ., San Luis Obispo
• 6. University of Texas at Austin
• 7. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• 7. Rhode Island School of Design
• 9. Iowa State University
• 9. Auburn University
• 11. Pratt Institute
• 12. Carnegie Mellon University
• 13. University of Notre Dame
• 13. University of Oregon
• 13. Boston Architectural College
• 16. University of Southern California
• 16. Cooper Union
• 18. Pennsylvania State University
• 19. University of Arkansas
• 19. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Top 15 Landscape Architecture, Graduate

• 1. Harvard University
• 2. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• 3. Cornell University
• 3. Louisiana State University
• 5. University of Virginia
• 6. University of Pennsylvania
• 7. Pennsylvania State University
• 7. Rhode Island School of Design
• 7. Texas A&M University
• 10. University of California, Berkeley
• 11. Kansas State University
• 11. University of Georgia
• 13. Auburn University
• 13. University of Texas at Arlington
• 13. University of Texas at Austin
• 13. University of Washington

Top 15 Landscape Architecture, Undergraduate

• 1. Louisiana State University
• 2. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• 3. Pennsylvania State University
• 4. Kansas State University
• 5. Texas A&M University
• 6. Cornell University
• 7. Calif. Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
• 7. Purdue University
• 7. University of Georgia
• 10. Ball State University
• 11. Iowa State University
• 11. Texas Tech University
• 13. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
• 13. Michigan State University
• 13. Ohio State University

Top 10 Interior Design, Graduate

• 1. Savannah College of Art and Design
• 2. Rhode Island School of Design
• 3. Pratt Institute
• 4. Cornell University
• 4. Parsons The New School for Design
• 6. New England School of Art & Design at Suffolk Univ.*
• 6. School of the Art Institute of Chicago
• 8. Boston Architectural College*
• 9. Kansas State University*
• 9. University of Oregon

*(CIDA-accredited)

Top 10 Interior Design, Undergraduate

• 1. Savannah College of Art and Design
• 2. University of Cincinnati
• 2. Rhode Island School of Design
• 4. Pratt Institute
• 5. Auburn University
• 6. University of Texas at Austin
• 6. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• 8. Boston Architectural College
• 8. Cornell University
• 8. Kansas State University
• 8 Parsons The New School for Design

Top 10 Industrial Design, Graduate

• 1 Art Center College of Design
• 2 Pratt Institute
• 2 Rhode Island School of Design
• 4 Arizona State University
• 4 Auburn University
• 4. Cranbrook Academy of Art
• 7. Georgia Institute of Technology
• 7. Ohio State University
• 7. Savannah College of Art and Design
• 7. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Industrial Design, Undergraduate

• 1. Art Center College of Design
• 1. University of Cincinnati
• 3. Pratt Institute
• 3. Rhode Island School of Design
• 3. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• 6. Auburn University
• 6. College for Creative Studies
• 6. Savannah College of Art and Design
• 9. Carnegie Mellon
• 9. Syracuse University

One story behind the rankings this year is that there are some outstanding programs that are either too new or too small to get recognized in the lists of top schools. However, this is a time of tremendous change for the design professions, and with it, massive opportunity for schools of all sizes. Respect for design education is high — and can grow further. This will require that there be a deep understanding of the dimensions of the trends in the design profession. When schools and practitioners are in harmony on these dimensions of change, they can reinforce and enhance each other. In this there is art and science. Leadership is at issue. The big shifts can be signs of new strength in a time of flux.

Comments

• Posted by Lar Transfer on Nov 1, 2012 11:54 AM

  Virginia Tech has no right being on this list. The faculty is out of touch, completely disjunct and very discouraging. Katen and Bohannon are the only faculty members that get the job done for their students. The others are extremely unhelpful and almost seem to patronize studio students for their own moral gain. I can personally and honestly say that the current students are not, and mostly will not be prepared for the profession. It is a shame that their faith in these rankings will ultimately dead end them.

• Posted by Shawn on Nov 1, 2012 1:06 PM

  Specifying "right" on a rankings list is a completely incorrect frame of the word. If one doesn't believe in the pedagogy of specific institutions, one should ask a full question of where this "said" gap resides and what should be done to close the gap between profession and education. Not simply standby their formulated opinion as absolute.

  For instance, universities aren't charged with churning out individuals that are supposed to be specialized for laborious activities. While certain skills are necessary for being productive in this field, such as CAD abilities, rendering capacity, and knowledge of other tools productive for profession - it will ultimately be up to the students to take on furthering their skill-sets.

  Universities are charged with the pursuit of knowledge, and providing opportunities where this is possible for students. Upon commencement of their degree, it is the students whom are charged to take their thoughts and questions and apply them in a productive manner within a profession. An approach in which they continue to ask questions while ultimately serving the world, hopefully for the better. In this case, architecture.

  While you are entitled to your opinions about Virginia Tech, the assessment of the faculty is completely incorrect as a generalization. Patronizing undoubtedly happens in specific circumstances, but to label two professors out of a larger faculty group as effective; is completely biased and incorrect. I won't go on any longer, but simply put; my total experience at that school and my growth into the profession, is completely different than yours.

• Posted by lee on Nov 1, 2012 4:40 PM

  Too bad none of this translates into getting a job after you graduate...

• Posted by Lee Is Right on Nov 1, 2012 5:38 PM

  It IS important for the university to teach practical job skills in addition to the "higher knowledge" areas you speak of. I'm sick of this "take it or leave it" attitude that certain private design schools on this list convey. If they really wish to be a highly ranked school, they would pursue knowledge hand in hand with teaching the technical skills expected by today's employers. Don't you dare say that the students should teach CAD on their own time... WHAT TIME? There is none, when such arrogant design professionals acting as "teachers" create a culture of staying in the studio all night every night. Higher, theoretical knowledge is fine only when the basics required of today's employers are taught as well. So there may be a perceived greatness in the schools on this list, but I encourage anyone interested in them to look extremely carefully at what is specifically taught, what you gain from spending $50,000 a year. Don't get caught up in the hype. The workplace demands new graduates to stare at CAD screens for days on end, therefore the schools better be teaching it, not just telling the students to learn it on their own time. If you're going into design fields to pursue your lifelong passions, you should expect no less.

• Posted by Mike on Nov 2, 2012 7:21 AM

  I hired a graduate from MIT work for me a couple years ago & he was utterly useless: this arrogant prima donna had LITTLE design skill, POOR CAD/BIM skills, and NO people skills. I had to pay a fee to a headhunter & two days after my 90 day 'trial' I had to fire him for kneeling on the floor & flipping me off behind my back after I gave him something to do. That's a "Top 5" education? I'd rather have someone who wants a job than that dysfunctional mess- I'll never give a second thought to hiring from a so-called "prestigious" school again: it won't happen. I'd rather develop someone from ITT.

• Posted by Jim Cramer on Nov 2, 2012 9:57 AM

  MIT scores high in most evaluations from practitioners. With hundreds of firms reporting in they have scored 4,6,5,3,4,2,4 since 2007. Taken together, most hiring firms say they are either satisfied or very satisfied (combined score of 62.8%). Only 16.4% are dissatisfied and 2.5% very dissatisfied. The experience mentioned above at MIT is very unusual based on the reports collected.

• Posted by marshall mcmillan-zapf on Nov 2, 2012 10:15 AM

  The point, according to my muse, is the success of architecture not the success of individual practitioners. The built environment as a whole and the inability of a significant body of educators and practitioners to agree on what constitutes the knowledge proper to architecture attests to the increasing improbability of this re-valuation. My alma mater, the College of Architecture and Urbanism at Virginia Tech has and will no doubt continue to be an exception to the slow but sure dissipation of design intelligence that constitutes the normalcy of daily life. This school offers astounding opportunities vertically and horizontally: theory, history, liberal arts (the former) + integration of technology, fabrication and craft across all design disciplines (the latter) and the faculty required to energize such a program. I would agree that if a student here wants answers and techniques delivered wholesale, without equal part in questions and discoveries suis generis, frustration will win. Mike: Employers ranting about a bad experience with an "Ivy" league hire and then resolving never to hire from that league again: is this logic sound in any endevour - especially design?

• Posted by Jim Cramer on Nov 2, 2012 12:02 PM

  Virginia Tech is 7th in undergraduate and 18th in graduate education in architecture. It scores in the top of the rankings year after year. And not just by practitioners, but by deans, administrators and students. 79% of students grade their education as excellent. 17% grade their education above average. 57% of students expect to go into private practice as architects and designers. 16% will go on to further graduate education. All feedback we get puts Virginia Tech into a position of respect and admiration.

• Posted by jim cramer on Nov 5, 2012 2:55 PM

  Architecture and design are increasingly hyper-competitive professions. There is a sea change going on around us in the professions. And the schools? They too must be fast moving and offer up new value. The future of the architecture profession depends on it.

• Posted by William A. Mathes AIA on Nov 7, 2012 9:19 AM

  The criteria I always use to judge the effectiveness of a school is the number of their graduates who pass the licensing exam on their first try. What happened to this criteria? Or do the so-called "elite schools" not participate?

• Posted by Tiger on Nov 7, 2012 6:22 PM

  Geaux Tigers! As a student in the program, I can truly say I enjoy going to school every day to see what some of the best in the field can teach me. Brad - the super genius coming in as our new director is sure to do great things. Peace Love and LSU

• Posted by Tiger on Nov 7, 2012 6:22 PM

  Geaux Tigers! As a student in the program, I can truly say I enjoy going to school every day to see what some of the best in the field can teach me. Brad - the super genius coming in as our new director is sure to do great things. Peace Love and LSU

• Posted by Mark Vaghei, AIA on Nov 8, 2012 5:02 PM

  I have a graduate of Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo working for me and I have been very impressed by her skills overall. Her technical, organizational skills are better than her Design Skills, but I think she will develop that over time.

  I have had another employee from Carnegie Melon which I was also impressed with.

• Posted by Ed on Nov 13, 2012 6:59 PM

  Where is CCS in these industrial design rankings?!

• Posted by Pat on Nov 17, 2012 12:20 PM

  Where is Roger Williams University in these rankings for Architecture and Design? Looking for a college that will prepare me for job opportunities on the east coast.

• Posted by Jim Cramer on Nov 28, 2012 2:41 PM

  We see quite a lot of loyal support for many schools that don't make it to the top of the charts. CCS and Roger Williams both have a strong alumni following. The programs are cited for quality teaching and a culture of caring for the student.

• Posted by TJ on Nov 29, 2012 7:45 PM

  I'm currently applying to colleges, hopefully looking to be accepted into an industrial design program. But it's outrageous that I have to pay $40 for the DesignIntelligence book in order to get all this information about the rankings of schools; in a year it'll be irrelevant anyway because new rankings will be published! College applications already cost $60-$75 per school. This is really bothering me that I couldn't do research on the rankings of schools when it's most important to my future. DesignIntelligence should really think of a different way to present information next year, instead of trying to exploit students and teachers with a book whose information isn't even useful to everyone who buys it. Granted there's a little something in there for everyone, but $40 is a lot for book that's only good for a year.

• Posted by Jim Cramer on Nov 30, 2012 9:52 AM

  We do sympathize. The research that we do is quite expensive. We poll several thousand students and most of the major professional practices in the U.S. We have not had a price increase in four years and the project is operated as a break even budget as a service to the firms that hire graduates and as a service to those who seek a depth of information -- not just a list of rankings. The report is 120+ pages and is much more than a ranking -- it is an analysis and we provide our opinion on issues in design education as well as take the pulse of deans, administrators, teachers, students, and the firms and corporations who hire them. It is a research report. We agree with you that it is expensive and also we hope that you will find that it is worth it. We believe it is.

  And we appreciate your point of view. Best wishes as you embark on your design education.

• Posted by Valery on Dec 5, 2012 2:37 PM

  Does this report include a ranking of first-professional Graduate programs in Interior Design for those entering the program with an Undergraduate degree in a field unrelated to Interior Design? If not, where can I find these rankings? Thank you!

• Posted by walter herbst on Dec 10, 2012 11:59 AM

  Having run a very major design firm for years and now involved in a very small but very edgy firm, I was more than surprised to see Pratt and RISD noted on the ID side. In the profession we have always seen those students as more artsy and less ready to earn their keep when entering the professional world. Not having University of Illinois noted for ID is a big surprise as they have always turned out solid students who are ready to sit down and perform.

  Art Center and Cincinnati deserve the spots given them for all the right reasons. The students are rock solid w/ technical skills and all seem to be terrific problem solvers, who make major contributions and earn their pay from day 1.

• Posted by BPF on Dec 26, 2012 1:41 PM

  The rankings shifted dramatically this year, with Penn State dropping several slots and Oregon increasing. NC State dropped off the top 20 list for undergrads and several new ones added. How can prospective students (who paid for this survey two years in a row) interpret such results when choosing a school? How can rankings shift so dramatically in a year? Certainly the education has not changed so quickly -- or is it who is taking the survey or the questions and how they are asked / interpreted?

• Posted by Matt W. on Dec 27, 2012 1:07 PM

  I'm a partner in a successful small SoCal architectural firm. The school or university our hires attended has no bearing on our decision to employ them. It's the individual's talent, personality and initiative that gets them hired. We've engaged graduates from the most prestigious to the most modest institutions with great success. It's the employee's day to day performance, their attitude and their dedication to become a licensed architect that counts with our firm.

• Posted by Jennifer on Jan 7, 2013 2:26 PM

  I would like to see the rankings based on bachelors or art degrees also. There is definitely a difference.

• Posted by KSD, ASLA on Jan 7, 2013 10:55 PM

  VT LAR Transfer: I have to agree 100% with Shawn. VT Tech is a design school. Their goal is to produce graduates that can work through the design process on there own, come up with a unique solution, and defend their design. If you can't design, you will just be working for someone that can, and will just be a drafts person. VA Tech's LAR program is the reason I own my own firm.

• Posted by Sandy on Jan 23, 2013 6:12 PM

  Where is University of Cincinnati for undergrad architecture? They were usually in the top 10 perennially. Moreover, with their strong coop programs , especially in Industrial Design and Interior Design, it is questionable as to why they came out second to SCAD in these areas.

• Posted by Alissa on Jan 30, 2013 3:28 PM

  Thanks for sharing this and for administering this analysis. As alums, employers and design community leaders, its valuable to see the larger shifts and trends.

• Posted by Tachyhon on Feb 15, 2013 12:41 AM

  Cranbrook. That's what's up.

• Posted by Sarah on Mar 1, 2013 2:11 AM

  I will be entering a 3-year MLA program this fall...In preparation, I took AutoCAD and Creative Suite courses at a nearby community college. I figure I will have better things to learn from my future professors than a new computer program. My classes cost $400 each. Simple cost/benefit/time analysis. I would highly encourage folks to do the same.

• Posted by Kala on Mar 19, 2013 1:14 PM

  I went to VA Tech for Interiors but was active with the architecture program. 100% where I am today is because of that school. I can be in front of huge crowds and work in a team from the public University experience, but all my professors were on 1st name basis. The teachers challenge you, rarely patronize. The whole idea is that you can be independent. I work in DC and the firms here love hiring out of the school. Alumni are everywhere I go here and not just ARCH, but my building construction managers and engineers too. All of those majors are nationally ranked at Tech and it is highly influencing VA Tech's alumni presence on the east coast. Design school is literally what you make of it, otherwise, you shouldn't be a designer. Final plus? I paid in state tuition for an ivy league level education. You can not beat that today. And, every one of my interiors classmates have jobs in the industry unless they chose to do grad school or something else.

• Posted by Todd on Mar 23, 2013 11:32 PM

  My daughter was accepted at Cal Poly SLO, Cornell and Washington University. We live in California so Cal Poly is obviously the most affordable, but Cornell is regularly top in this survey for a reason and Wash U would give here a more well rounded undergraduate experience but she would have to go to grad school since Wash U is only a 4 year school. They all seem like great schools. Any advice on how to help her make the decision on which school to attend?

• Posted by Kate on Mar 26, 2013 10:01 PM

  Imagine your surprise when you start in a top twenty architecture school, and graduate 5 years later from one that is not even in the top twenty anymore. Doesn't mean you haven't worked hard and learned a lot. How can the ratings change so fast, either a school is teaching architecture well or they are not.

• Posted by Brooks on Apr 15, 2013 10:19 AM

  Absolutely wonderful to see SCAD recognized for the excellent program they have nurtured over the past 30 years. Arch, Interiors and ID programs are top-notch- a credit to passionate faculty and inspirational artistic setting... We will keep hiring SCAD alumn and appreciate the hard work they do- keep it up!

  Brooks Hall, Partner

  Archetype Design, LLC

  Architecture/ Interiors/ Landscape Architecture

• Posted by Brooks on Apr 15, 2013 10:19 AM

  Absolutely wonderful to see SCAD recognized for the excellent program they have nurtured over the past 30 years. Arch, Interiors and ID programs are top-notch- a credit to passionate faculty and inspirational artistic setting... We will keep hiring SCAD alumn and appreciate the hard work they do- keep it up!

  Brooks Hall, Partner

  Archetype Design, LLC

  Architecture/ Interiors/ Landscape Architecture

• Posted by Tim on Apr 15, 2013 6:31 PM

  Strong branding...yes, great (sigh). Do I dare ask where history and theory education are ranked in this scheme? Granted, some of the highest ranking schools in the list also have some of the most respected architectural historians and urban theorists on their faculty, but it's not even clear if that part of design education is included in the criteria.

• Posted by Tim on Apr 15, 2013 6:37 PM

  Strong branding...yes, great (sigh). Do I dare ask where history and theory education are ranked in this scheme? Granted, some of the highest ranking schools in the list also have some of the most respected architectural historians and urban theorists on their faculty, but it's not even clear if that part of design education is included in the criteria.

• Posted by Andrew on Apr 16, 2013 5:14 PM

  Can we get some discussion on the shift from a 5 year B of Architecture/certification path to the 4 year BS, followed by 2 years M of Architecture/certification path? Has the profession evolved so much that people will need 6 years to get certified? Will those with "only" a 5 year degree still be competitive in ten years?

• Posted by ASH on Apr 17, 2013 2:56 AM

  My son attends Cooper union fifth year,as an international student.

  I know for a fact that Cooper is the most selective school by far.It is using a different criteria of admission.

  This ranking actually shows that new applicants do not read DI or do not agree with the ranking.

  Other option is that most practitioners were not admitted to cooper and now they take revenge.

  Or someone can give me an idea what is going on.

• Posted by RJ on Apr 28, 2013 3:47 PM

  I'd like clarification regarding the ranking of the School of the Art Institute under the graduate interior design category. SAIC has a M. Arch w/ Emphasis in Interior Architecture program. I thought it was meant to be first and foremost an architecture program. SAIC has an undergraduate ID program and ID certificate program but not a graduate ID program. If someone could clarify this, I'd appreciate it.

  Thanks.

• Posted by William on May 1, 2013 4:46 AM

  Do people know that Savannah College of Art and Design is on the AAUP (American Association of University Professors) censure list for two reasons: 1) They deny academic freedom 2) They do not secure the right terms of tenure for their faculty and staff?

• Posted by DeDe on May 16, 2013 10:19 AM

  Can anyone suggest a good program for Education Design for k12 schools. Interested in Interior design, possibly architecture, but prefer interiors? Already have a Masters in Education

  In regards to Mr. Herbst comment about Pratt: Funny you mention that...My boyfriend graduated from the ID program at Pratt about 13 years ago. Though he felt the program opened the flood gates for creativity, they never required him to take SolidWorks or CAD as an MFA student. As a result he has had a difficult time getting an ID job for 13 years. He is super artistic and talented but lacks the technical skills. We now have to pay a few hundred dollars for community college courses to get him up to speed. This seems crazy as we are still paying back the $40k+ that it cost him for the MFA. I really hope they have updated their requirements over the past 10 year.